Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about the California Clean Fuel Reward.
Please see the Program Guide for more details.
Customer FAQ
Customers purchasing or leasing Program-Eligible Vehicles for commercial use primarily in California may qualify.
- The Reward for Class 2b (8,501-10,000 lbs. GVWR) Eligible Vehicles is available solely to entities operating public fleets subject to the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) Rule. Private entities are not eligible to receive the Reward for Class 2b Eligible Vehicles.
- The Reward for Class 3-8 (10,001-33,000+ lbs. GVWR) Eligible Vehicles is available to public or private entities that meet all Program eligibility requirements.
Additional customer eligibility requirements apply. See the Program Guide for details.
The Reward amount varies by vehicle class:
- Class 2b* (8,501-10,000 lbs. GVWR): $7,500
- Class 3 (10,001-14,000 lbs. GVWR): $15,000
- Class 4-5 (14,001-19,500 lbs. GVWR): $60,000
- Class 6-7 (19,501-33,000 lbs. GVWR): $85,000
- Class 8 (33,001+ lbs. GVWR): $120,000
* Reward for Class 2b vehicles is only available to public fleets subject to the ACF Rule.
Note: buses and vehicles not intended for on-road use (terminal tractors, yard spotters, etc.) are not eligible for the California Clean Fuel Reward.
See the Program Guide for additional details.
Eligible Vehicles must be:
- Battery-electric
- New purchases or leases (7,500 miles or less; not previously owned/leased by a customer) from a Participating Retailer
- For commercial operations: to carry people, property, or hazardous materials
- Class 2b* (8,501–10,000 lbs. GVWR)
- Class 3-Class 8 (10,001-33,001+ lbs. GVWR)
* Reward for Class 2b vehicles is only available to public fleets subject to the ACF Rule.
Each valid vehicle identification number (VIN) can only be claimed one (1) time.
Note: buses and vehicles not intended for on-road use (terminal tractors, yard spotters, etc.), ZEV conversions, other alt-fuel vehicles, and battery-electric motorcycles are not eligible for the California Clean Fuel Reward.
All approved Eligible Vehicles are included on the Eligible Vehicles page of this website. Vehicles that are not included on the Eligible Vehicles page are not eligible for the Reward, regardless of whether they may satisfy certain technical eligibility criteria. The list of Eligible Vehicles is reviewed and maintained by the Program and serves as the authoritative source for vehicle eligibility determinations.
Additional eligibility restrictions may apply. See the Program Guide for details.
Yes. Eligible Customers must sign the Customer Terms & Conditions Agreement, which outlines specific responsibilities Reward recipients are expected to meet. Additionally, customers must:
- Use Eligible Vehicle(s) for commercial operations (to carry people, property, and/or hazardous materials).
- Have a physical business location at the address provided to the Participating Retailer for the Purchase/Lease Agreement.
- Demonstrate at least one (1) year of business operations in California at the time of purchase or lease.
- Provide a valid USDOT Number at the time of purchase or lease.
- Take delivery of the vehicle(s) within 180 calendar days of Phase 1 Claim approval (Phase 1 Claims are submitted by the Participating Retailer).
- Maintain an active California vehicle registration or application and ownership/lease agreement for at least three (3) years.
- At least 50% of the vehicle's utilization must be in the state of California.
Additional requirements may apply. See the Program Guide for details.
Yes. The California Clean Fuel Reward may be applied one (1) time per eligible VIN.
Yes. The California Clean Fuel Reward can stack with certain other state and local rebates, rewards, vouchers, and/or incentives, as applicable, subject to respective program rules, provided all applicable requirements are met.
The Carl Moyer Program can be stacked with the California Clean Fuel Reward.
Stacking compatibility with HVIP varies by vehicle class:
- Class 2b, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 vehicles cannot be stacked with HVIP.
- Class 8 vehicles can be stacked with HVIP.
The California Clean Fuel Reward may also stack with other state, local, and utility programs, as applicable.
Total stacked price reduction, inclusive of the California Clean Fuel Reward, may not exceed 90% of the total vehicle cost per eligible VIN, excluding taxes and fees.
IMPORTANT: Customers are solely responsible for determining program compatibility and ensuring all applicable program requirements are met. Refer to the respective program guides of other potentially compatible incentive/rebate programs for information on their rules and requirements. The California Clean Fuel Reward is not responsible for preventing incompatible program stacking and cannot provide guidance or support for other programs.
Other eligibility limitations and program requirements may apply. The California Clean Fuel Reward is not responsible for determining compatibility with other programs or for ensuring all requirements are met and cannot provide guidance or support on specific stacking scenarios. Compatibility rules for other programs are subject to change without notice. Please refer to the respective program guides for other potentially compatible incentive/rebate program rules and requirements.
See the Program Guide for details.
The combined total of all price reductions (that is, the California Clean Fuel Reward and any other applicable rebates or incentives that may be stacked with it) may not exceed 90% of the vehicle’s purchase price, before taxes and fees are added. Taxes, registration fees, licensing fees, and other applicable costs are not included in the vehicle price used to calculate the 90% limit.
For example: If an Eligible Vehicle has a purchase price of $200,000 before taxes and fees, the combined total of all applicable price reductions, including the California Clean Fuel Reward, may not exceed $180,000 (90% of $200,000). Any taxes and fees associated with the transaction are excluded from this calculation and are still the customer's responsibility.
Select Find a Retailer on the Program Website to browse Participating Retailers.
Yes. Participating Retailers may reserve a Reward on behalf of customers before a VIN is assigned. However, VINs must be available before the point of sale or lease reduction is applied at vehicle delivery (Phase 2). Reservations that fail to have VINs within 180 days will be cancelled. Participating Retailers are responsible for managing and submitting claims.
No. Customers may receive the Reward once per eligible VIN, but there is no current limit on the total number of Rewards per Eligible Customer.
For the purposes of this Program, "commercial use" refers to vehicles used to carry people, property, and/or hazardous materials in support of operational or organizational functions. Commercial use excludes vehicles used primarily for recreation, commuting, or personal purposes.
Please reach out to your retailer and ask them to enroll and contact us at info@cleanfuelreward.com.
Download the latest version here.
Retailer FAQ
Retailer Enrollment
Participating Retailers are sellers or lessors of Eligible Vehicles that have applied for enrollment, executed the Participating Retailer Agreement, and been approved by the Program Implementer.
Participating Retailers are responsible for:
- Submitting an Enrollment Application through the Program Website to become a Participating Retailer.
- Verifying customer and vehicle eligibility.
- Providing the Reward to Eligible Customers when they buy or lease Eligible Vehicles.
- Collecting and submitting required customer, vehicle, and purchase/lease information using the Retailer Portal.
- Receiving reimbursement from the Program for approved Reward claims.
To be eligible for enrollment, retailers must meet the following requirements:
- Be located and licensed to operate anywhere in the United States (vehicles must be registered in the state of California).
- Sell or lease new, Program-eligible, Class 2b–8 battery-electric vehicles.
- Have valid EIN/Tax ID, California Business Entity ID, California Tax Resale Permit, and Retailer's/Dealer's License numbers.
Please refer to the Program Guide for enrollment process steps and detailed Program enrollment requirements.
Visit the Create Account or the Login Page. Input and submit the information required to create an account on the Program Website. Then follow the instructions to validate your account and start the enrollment process.
You will receive an automated email once approval is confirmed.
No, you may enroll at any time during the Program. Only retailers who have submitted their Enrollment Application and have been approved as Participating Retailers can offer the Reward. Retailer sales and leases made prior to enrollment approval or by non-enrolled retailers are not eligible for the Reward.
Follow this link to download the Participating Retailer Agreement.
Program Eligibility
For Class 3-8 Eligible Vehicles: Private and public corporations and businesses, public and governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations are eligible.
For Class 2b Eligible Vehicles only: public fleets subject to the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) Rule.
See the Program Guide for detailed customer and vehicle eligibility rules.
New* (7,500 miles or less, not previously owned by a customer) battery-electric, Class 2b to Class 8 vehicles (excluding buses and vehicles not intended for on-road use) for commercial use are eligible. Additional eligibility restrictions apply. See the Program Guide for details.
*Each valid Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) may only be claimed once.
No, only new (7,500 miles or less and not previously owned by a customer) battery-electric vehicles are eligible for the Reward. Additional eligibility restrictions apply. See the Program Guide for details.
No, only new (7,500 miles or less and not previously owned by a customer) battery-electric vehicles are eligible for the Reward. Vehicles previously owned or leased by a customer are not eligible, regardless of mileage.
Yes, leases of Eligible Vehicles to Eligible Customers qualify for the Reward.
Yes. The Reward can be applied to each Eligible Vehicle included in the transaction. Each VIN can be claimed one (1) time.
Reward and Funding Claims
The California Clean Fuel Reward is funded through California's Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). This Program is not funded by customer or ratepayer dollars.
The Program Website (cleanfuelreward.com) will contain the most up-to-date funding information as it becomes available.
To ensure the continued availability of funds across the life of the Program, Reward funding is allocated into Funding Windows that open periodically. Funds left over at the end of a Funding Window can be rolled forward to any group (at the Program Administrator's discretion) in the next Funding Window. The Program Administrator plans to continue releasing additional funding through 2028 and beyond.
If the Reward amount(s) or total Program funding changes for any reason, relevant updates will be communicated to Participating Retailers on the Program Website, and via email, at least 30 calendar days prior to the change taking effect.
The Program implements a two-phased claim submission process.
During Phase 1, the Participating Retailer validates customer and vehicle eligibility for the Reward and gathers and submits required information and documentation.
Between Phases 1 and 2, the Participating Retailer must provide the VIN(s) (if they were not provided in the initial Phase 1 Claim), complete all activities required to finalize the sale or lease, and deliver the vehicle(s) to the customer within 180 calendar days of Phase 1 Claim approval.
During Phase 2, the Participating Retailer submits required information and documentation for verification by the Program Implementer. Once Phase 2 has been approved, the Participating Retailer is reimbursed by ACH transfer.
Please refer to the Program Guide for detailed claims submission information.
Funds for an approved Phase 1 Claim are reserved for 180 calendar days from the Phase 1 Claim approval date.
Please refer to the Program Guide for detailed claims submission information.
Wait until the VIN(s) AND vehicle delivery are expected within 180 calendar days to submit a Phase 1 Claim.
Filing a Phase 1 Claim without valid VIN(s) is not recommended.
Participating Retailers may submit Phase 1 Claims without assigned VINs; however, VIN(s) must be provided within 180 calendar days, or the Claim will be rejected. Vehicle delivery must also occur within the SAME 180 calendar days.
Once the VIN is assigned and vehicle(s) delivered, the Claim may proceed to Phase 2.
The VIN provided in the Phase 1 Claim submission must match the final documents uploaded in the Phase 2 Claim submission.
Please refer to the Program Guide for detailed claims submission information.
A 1099 form will be provided to enrolled retailers based on the tax classification included in their W-9 submission. Participating Retailers operating as corporations (including C corporations, S corporations, and LLCs taxed as corporations) are not subject to 1099 reporting and will not receive the form.
Reimbursement takes approximately 10 business days after Phase 2 Claim approval. Funds are reimbursed via ACH transfer.
Yes. Each Eligible Vehicle can receive the Reward.
EDU FAQ
These resources can be found on the portal’s Marketing page.
Training resources are located on the portal’s Training page.
Customer data will be available shortly after Phase 2 Claim reimbursements from the first Funding Window commence. Customer data, once available, will be located on the Customers page.
Survey data will be available shortly after Phase 2 Claim reimbursements from the first Funding Window commence. Check the Customers page to access the Survey Results Dashboard.
Please contact California Clean Fuel Reward via info@cleanfuelreward.com or by phone at 800-880-0320. We’re available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time (excluding holidays) to answer any questions.
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