May 21, 2010 9:07 AM

The California Air Resources Board has approved changes to an existing $28 million financial assistance program that will significantly help more California independent truckers qualify for the purchase of a cleaner-running vehicle.

Changes made to the statewide Voucher Incentive Program (VIP) will make funding available to a larger variety of trucks that will help owners comply early with the statewide truck and bus regulation passed in 2008. VIP is a streamlined, diesel on-road voucher program that helps small independent truck owners get a cleaner-running truck sooner.

The program is geared to help small California-based fleets replace older, polluting trucks with newer, cleaner models. About $28 million is available through the program to fund truck replacements or exhaust retrofits statewide.

Specific changes to VIP are:

•Medium heavy-duty trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 19,501 pounds and above now qualify. Previously, only heavy-duty trucks with a declared vehicle weight greater than 60,000 pounds qualified.

•Trucks with mileage as low as 15,000 miles per year are now eligible. Previously, a truck had to operate a minimum of 30,000 miles per year or consume 4,700 gallons of diesel fuel per year during the previous two years.

•High-mileage trucks can get up to $45,000 in voucher money. Previously, the maximum amount of a voucher was $35,000.

•Trucks with 2002 and older engines may qualify for a newer truck. Previously, only trucks with 1993 and older engines were eligible.

•New funding option of up to $10,000 per truck for an exhaust retrofit.

Participating truck dealerships or retrofit installers can help business owners check eligibility and apply for a voucher.

Grants are made on a first-come, first-served basis and qualifying applications are reviewed and approved within five business days. For a list of participating dealerships and installers, go to www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/moyer/voucher/dealerlist/dealerlist.htm.

For additional information, visit www.truckstop.arb.ca.gov or call CARB’s diesel hotline at 1-866-6DIESEL.