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KPBS Midday Edition

Should California Increase Electric Car Rebates?

An electric vehicle is being charged, March 28, 2016.
Matthew Bowler
/
KPBS
An electric vehicle is being charged, March 28, 2016.
California Assemblyman Phil Ting of San Francisco introduced a bill this week that could triple rebates for electric car buyers.

California is falling behind on its goal to put five-million zero-emission cars on the road by 2030.

With that in mind, California Assemblyman Phil Ting of San Francisco has introduced a bill that could triple rebates for electric car buyers to up to $7,500 to boost sales.

Currently, electric vehicles owners are eligible for a $2,500 rebate while hybrid owners are eligible for a $1,500 rebate.

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But it's still unclear how the state would pay for the program. Assembly Bill 1046 directs the state's Air Resources Board to set the rebates and identify a stable funding source without raising taxes or tapping into money recovered from utility ratepayers.

Ting joins Midday Edition Thursday to talk about his proposal.