DMV Program Overview

In 1990, Assembly Bill 2766 (AB 2766) was adopted into the California Health and Safety Code (CH & SC) Section 44220-44247.  AB 2766 authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to collect a motor vehicle registration clean air surcharge of $4 per vehicle.  Revenues generated from AB 2766 are directed for use in the purposes of reducing air pollution from motor vehicles and other related sources needed to implement the California Clean Air Act (CCAA).

The District allocates a substantial portion of annual AB 2766 funds to support its DMV Grant Program & DMV Grant Vehcile Voucher Program..  Both programs are designed to provide a mechanism for the fair, unbiased distribution of AB 2766 funds to eligible emission reduction projects located within Eastern Kern County. 

DMV Grant Program projects include: Paving Dirt Roads to reduce fugitive dust emissions cause by vehicle travel, Installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station, Installation of a CNG Refilling Station, Alternative Fuel Mechanics Training, Public Education Courses, and Innovative Vehicle-Related Emission Reduction Proposal. Eligible projects can qualify for up to $50,000.

Click Here to Download 2024 DMV Grant Program Application
Application Submission Closed February 23, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

Vehicle Voucher, offers financial incentive in the form of a voucher for the purchase of a new, eligible lower-emitting vehicle. The District’s DMV Grant Vehicle Voucher Program is an ongoing with no application deadline.  Applications will be processed first-come first-served and vouchers will be issued accordingly.  Voucher awards and associated new vehicle emission classification requirements are as follows:

• $4,000 for purchase of a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) with EPA Smog Score of 10.

Click Here for DMV Grant Resource Page

Best Drive EVer Videos

The East Kern Air Pollution Control District provided grant funding to support a Project Clean Air Best Drive EVer test drive event.  The Tehachapi Apple Festival scheduled in October 2020 was cancelled due to Covid restrictions.  Project Clean Air decided to create three EV video stories in place of the live event.  The videos feature Kern County EV owners - the Enthusiast, the Commuter, and the Traveler.  The videos were filmed in Tehachapi, CA in May and June 2021.  Additional footage for the traveler video was shot in and around Bakersfield, CA.