Californians looking to avoid record-high gas prices will soon be able to buy Ford‘s new C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid. The automaker says drivers could potentially save $5,250 off the purchase price and enjoy high-occupancy vehicle lane (HOV) access.
The C-MAX Energi was just approved for the Green Clean Air Vehicle Sticker as part of the Clean Vehicle Rebate Program (CVRP).
California C-MAX Energi customers can now apply to receive a $1,500 state tax rebate when purchasing or leasing the vehicle for 36 months or longer. In addition to the state rebate, C-MAX Energi will qualify for the existing $3,750 federal tax credit. Ford says this will make America’s most affordable plug-in hybrid even more affordable for Californians at $28,495 after the federal tax credit and state tax rebate.
The approval also paves the way for the C-MAX Energi to be approved in other states with carpool lane plug-in vehicle incentives, such as Maryland, New York and Virginia.
“We’re pleased with California customers’ early interest in the C-MAX hybrids, our first dedicated hybrid-only nameplate in North America, in the No. 1 hybrid market in the U.S.,” said Michael O’Brien, Ford electrified vehicle marketing manager. “The C-MAX Energi is the most affordable, most fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid with the longest overall range for any utility or compact vehicle on the market today – this extra carpool lane incentive and rebate will help Californians go further with Ford in every sense of the phrase.”
Ford says the C-MAX Energi achieves up to 21 miles in all-electric range. The U.S. automaker says that’s more than triple the six-mile all-electric range on the Toyota Prius. This means that at least one leg of the average work commute (which is reportedly 20 miles each way) could be completed each day on electric battery charge only. This ultimately allows customers to save gas as they face traffic congestion in their commute.
A study by the United States Department of the Treasury estimates congestion consumed an extra 1.9 billion gallons of fuel in 2011, approximately 5 percent of all gasoline used.
