CEC’s Fuel Program

The California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program (also known as the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program) provides funding to support innovation and accelerate the development and deployment of advanced transportation and fuel technologies.

The CEC’s Fuel Program invests up to $100 million annually in a broad portfolio of transportation and fuel transportation projects throughout the state. The Energy Commission leverages public and private investments to support adoption of cleaner transportation powered by alternative and renewable fuels.

The program plays an important role in achieving California’s ambitious goals on climate change, petroleum reduction, and adoption of zero-emission vehicles, as well as efforts to reach air quality standards. The program also supports the state’s sustainable, long-term economic development.

OVERVIEW

The Clean Transportation Program plays an important role in achieving California’s ambitious goals on climate change, air quality, petroleum reduction, and adoption of zero-emission vehicles. The program also supports the state’s sustainable, long-term economic development.

Through annual investments of up to $100 million, the Clean Transportation Program, formerly known as the Alternative and Renewable Fuels and Vehicle Technology Program, promotes accelerated development and deployment of advanced transportation and fuel technologies. The program was established by Assembly Bill 118 (Núñez, 2007), which took effect January 1 2008, and was extended through January 1, 2024 by Assembly Bill 8 (Perea, 2013)

Administered by the Energy Commission’s Fuels and Transportation Division, the Clean Transportation Program invests in a broad portfolio of transportation and fuel transportation projects throughout the state, leveraging public and private investments.

The Energy Commission is committed to providing opportunities to participate in and benefit from clean transportation projects for diverse, underrepresented, underserved, and disadvantaged communities throughout the state.

Using funds collected from vehicle and vessel registration, vehicle identification plates, and smog abatement fees, the program:

Expedites development of conveniently-located fueling and charging infrastructure for low-and zero-emission vehicle;
Accelerates advancement and adoption of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, including low-and zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles;
Expands in-state production of alternative, low-carbon renewable fuel from low-carbon pathways; and support manufacturing and workforce training to help meet the needs of the state’s growing clean transportation and fuels market; and
Supports manufacturing and workforce training to translate clean technology investments into sustained employment opportunities.

BACKGROUND

The Clean Transportation Program, also known as the Alternative and Renewable Fuels and Vehicle Technology Program (ARFVTP) was established by Assembly Bill 118 (Núñez, Chapter 750, Statutes of 2007), which took effect January 1, 2008. Assembly Bill 8 (Perea, Chapter 401, Statutes of 2013) extended the program through January 1, 2024. Using funds collected from vehicle and vessel registration, vehicle identification plates, and smog abatement fees, the program:

Expedites development of conveniently located fueling and charging infrastructure for low- and zero-emission vehicles.
Accelerates advancement and adoption of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, including low- and zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
Expands in-state production of alternative, low-carbon renewable fuel.
Supports manufacturing and workforce training to help meet the needs of the state’s growing clean transportation and fuels market.