Trade in your old, tired, gross-polluting car is the new mantra of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
If you are driving a 1999 or older car, the air district wants to help put you in a new ride.
Or, if you’re driving an old model that guzzles gas and belches emissions, the district will provide money to assist in buying a more air friendly newer car.
It’s all part of the district’s Drive Clean in the San Joaquin program.
Depending on the new automobile model purchased and where you live, the district will provide anywhere from $2,500 to $9,500.
(Click on the video above to learn more.)
Funding for the program is provided by the state of California, and air district spokeswoman Jaime Holt said that the program will run for several years.

Cars Eligible for Funding

Here are the types of cars you can receive financial assistance to buy:
Conventional – Gas powered vehicle meeting program fuel economy standards (example: Honda Accord).
Hybrid 20+ — Gas powered and electric motor vehicle with fuel economy from 20 MPG to 34 MPG (example: Toyota Camry hybrid).
Hybrid 35+ — Gas powered and electric motor vehicle with fuel economy with at least 35 MPG (example: Toyota Prius hybrid).
PHEV/EV — Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle utilizing power from a battery and an onboard gas-powered generator (example: Chevy Volt). Or an electric vehicle purely powered by a battery charged from an external electrical source (example: Nissan Leaf).
In addition, new car purchases may be eligible for the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project provided by the California Air Resources Board through the California Center for Sustainable Energy.

Other Clean-Air Options

Finally, the district offers $500 vouchers to repair cars so that they run clean again, and payments of $1,000 and $1,500 to scrap qualified vehicles.
For assistance with Drive Clean in the San Joaquin program, call (559) 230-6000 or visit the website.