California’s Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board (CARB) announced that Ford’s C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid MPV has been approved for the Green Clean Air Vehicle Sticker, which gives it access to the state’s much-coveted High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes.
Single-occupant vehicles can use carpool lanes as well if said vehicles meet CARB’s emission standards. The stickers that give access to the HOV lanes are available to the first 40,000 applicants who buy or lease a car that meets California’s Enhanced Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AP PZEV) standards.
“The C-MAX Energi is the most affordable, most fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid with the longest overall range for any utility or compact vehicle on the market today”, said Michael O’Brien, Ford’s electrified vehicle marketing manager, adding that “this extra carpool lane incentive and rebate will help Californians go further with Ford in every sense of the phrase”.
The C-MAX Energi has been rated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 110 MPGe city and 105 MPGe combined. It is thus eligible to a US$1,500 state tax rebate on purchase or lease of the car for 36 months or more.
On top of that, it also qualifies for the existing US$3,759 federal tax credit rebate, which lowers its price for California buyers to US$28,495.
By Andrew Tsaousis
PHOTO GALLERY
