California Air Resources Board (CARB) is offering $15,000 in incentives for the purchase of Ford Transit Connect Electric vans with an Azure Dynamics Corp. powertrain.
The program, expected to be in effect until February 2012, offers up to $15,000 for the first Transit Connect Electric purchased by a commercial fleet or municipal fleet for deployment in the state of California and $12,000 for each subsequent purchase up to 100 vehicles per customer.
Beginning in February 2012, the program will offer up to $12,000 for the first three Transit Connect Electric vans and up to $10,000 for subsequent purchases up to 100 vans per customer. Complete program details are available at www.californiahvip.org.
“On average, a Transit Connect Electric will spend about 10 years in service for a commercial vehicle fleet,” said Scott Harrison, Azure Dynamics CEO. “The new incentive, in combination with the operational and maintenance savings resulting from the EV powertrain, may significantly reduce the incremental Transit Connect Electric acquisition cost and provides customers with an attractive less than two-year payback.”
The Transit Connect Electric uses an advanced lithium-ion battery from Johnson Controls and is assembled using Azure’s powertrain. It has a range of 50-80 mi. depending on auxiliary power use and drive cycle.
According to Azure it is rechargeable using either a 240-volt or 120-volt outlet.
