MVERP Overview

In 1990, Assembly Bill 2766 (AB 2766) was adopted into the California Health and Safety Code Section 44220 - 44247.  AB 2766 authorized the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to collect a motor vehicle registration clean air surcharge of $4 per vehicle. Revenues generated from the $4 DMV clean air fee were directed to be used for the purposes of reducing air pollution from motor vehicles and other related purposes needed to implement the California Clean Air Act (planning, monitoring, enforcement, and technical studies).

A substantial portion of the District’s annual DMV clean air fees are used to support the Motor Vehicle Emission Reduction Program (MVERP). MVERP grants are awarded to projects that reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx), volatile organic compounds, or particulate matter emissions from on-road motor vehicles. Selected MVERP projects may receive funding of up to 90% (a maximum of $50,000) of the qualified project’s total cost. Approximately $300,000 to $400,000 in project funds is available each year.

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, those that:

• Reduce dust from motor vehicle activity on public roads
• Replace older on-road vehicle with new low emissions vehicle
• Retrofit diesel school buse with ARB certified diesel particulate filter
• Provide for an increase in public transportation and commuter vanpooling
• Provide telecommunication alternatives to driving, including videoconferencing
• Provide mechanic’s training and infrastructure that support cleaner vehicles
• Provide educational activities related to air quality

The District receives MVERP project proposal submissions beginning October 1 and closing at 5 pm on the first Friday of January every year. MVERP Request for Proposal (RFP) and Project Applications are not made available until October 1.