The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and CALSTART has announced the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) will begin accepting heavy-duty voucher applications for the purchase or lease of new zero-emissions off-road equipment beginning August 13, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The announcement comes alongside two new off-road resources that will help equipment users learn about market-ready, zero-emissions heavy-duty off-road equipment on a global level and assess total cost of ownership (TCO).

CORE is committed to providing innovative and sustainable off-road transportation solutions that reduce emissions and support environmental stewardship. The project boasts more than 300 types of eligible zero-emissions equipment for use in airport ground support, cargo handling equipment, commercial harbor craft, construction, and agriculture. The use of these green technologies can make a big impact on communities by helping to reduce poor air quality caused by traditional fossil-fuel off-road equipment use and help to protect the health and well-being of those residents.

Equipment can be viewed in CORE’s Equipment Catalog. Potential buyers are invited to view the Implementation Manual for more information on purchasing equipment. Heavy-duty equipment dealers interested in participating in CORE can find information, like the eligibility criteria, by visiting How to Participate.

“Incentive funding, like that provided through CORE, is a critical component in helping to meet California’s ambitious 2035 zero-emissions strategy as it provides businesses with support as they move to cleaner equipment for the benefit of all Californians, especially those living in vulnerable communities overburdened by poor air quality,” said CARB Deputy Executive Officer of the Mobile Source Control Division Sydney Vergis.

CORE is also excited to share the launch of a new tool made in collaboration with CALSTART’s Drive to Zero™ program: the Off-Road Zero-Emission Technology Inventory (ZETI) tool, an interactive online resource that helps users find global commercially available zero-emissions off-road and non-road vehicles and equipment. The tool will be useful to equipment users, industry stakeholders, and policymakers interested in exploring market inventory and comparing equipment model specifications.

In addition, CORE’s TCO Estimator Tool will help equipment users compare near- and zero-emissions options to similar conventionally fueled off-road equipment. This tool will allow users to enter details about their fleet, duty cycle, and financial information. It will be available on CORE’s website in fall 2024.

“Embracing zero-emissions equipment through CORE is a crucial step toward protecting our environment and public health,” said Jacob Whitson, CORE Deputy Director, CALSTART. “By transitioning to cleaner technologies, we can significantly reduce harmful emissions, improve air quality, and ensure a healthier future for all communities.”