The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for a $500 rebate on the purchase or lease of hybrid vehicles under its Hybrid Electric Vehicle Rebate Program.

The program, authorized through the Alternative Fuel Incentive Act provides $500 rebates to assist with the incremental costs of purchasing or leasing a new hybrid electric vehicle. The total of both the EPA city miles per gallon (MPG) and the EPA highway MPG must meet or exceed 55 MPG to achieve the fuel efficiency requirements.

The hybrid vehicle must also have a carbon footprint of less than 7.0 tons/year of CO2 as posted on the federal Fuel Economy website. A list of eligible vehicles may be obtained from the Department's website

To qualify for the $500 rebate, the hybrid electric vehicle must be registered in Pennsylvania and primarily operated within the Commonwealth. The rebates will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funds are available.

A total of $1.5 million is available for allocation under the program. Rebate request forms and required documentation must be postmarked no later than 6 months after the vehicle is purchased or leased.

Rebate forms, along with additional information about the program, are available on the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Rebate Program webpage or by contacting the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Program at 866-294-3854 or 717-214-3492 or by sending email to: epafiginfo@state.pa.us .

6/27/2008