policy brief

Design and Implementation of the Enhanced Fleet Modernization PlusUp Pilot Program: Lessons Learned from the San Joaquin Valley and South Coast Air Districts’ First Year of Operation

Areas of Expertise

Safety, Public Health, & Mobility Justice Zero-Emission Vehicles & Low-Carbon Fuels

Abstract

In order to reach California’s ambitious air quality and climate change mitigation goals, the state needs a cleaner and more efficient transportation system. Replacing older, heavily-polluting cars with cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles is a first step. To help with this effort, the California Air Resources Board introduced the Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program (EFMP) Plus-Up pilot program in June 2015. EFMP Plus-Up increases incentives for for low- and moderate-income households to retire and replace older and inefficient vehicles, providing up to $9,500 toward the purchase of plug-in hybrids or electric vehicles.The program was implemented as a pilot phase in the San Joaquin Valley Air (SJV) Pollution Control District and the South Coast Air (SCA) Quality Control District. Researchers at UCLA used program data from these districts to better understand the initial impact of the program