SECAT Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the applicant REQUIRED to REPLACE a vehicle to participate in the program?
No, you are not required to scrap a vehicle to receive SECAT incentive funds.
2. Are there minimum qualifications for the existing vehicle?
There are no existing vehicle requirements.
3. Does the existing vehicle have to be SCRAPPED? Or just taken out of service?
There are no existing vehicle requirements.
4. If combined with HVIP funding, can the SECAT grant be applied to taxes and fees charged for the new vehicle?
Yes, alhtough HVIP may require SECAT to reduce our grant amount to the 90% grant level for non-government applicants.
5. Are the reporting requirements similar to the previous round - are participants required to return annual usage reports at least once a year or install Electronic Monitoring Units (EMU's)?
Yes, reporting requirements are the same. We do not require EMU on projects.
6. Are vehicle leases eligible for funding?
We can accept applications from leasing companies to rent/lease the vehicles in Sacramento. We require leasing companies to list us as lien holders and agree to the same terms as the applicant.
7. What is the maximum amount of funding an applicant may receive?
There is no cap on the maximum funding an applicant may receive. Each vehicle is subject to a cap, and each county has a maximum funding for all projects. Essentially, first come, first serve, until the funding is exhausted.
8. It’s noted that applicants should have charging infrastructure at their facility or be able to use existing public charging infrastructure. Does this mean funding is only available for heavy-duty BEVs? What about heavy-duty hydrogen FCEVs? If they qualify for funding, would they need to have hydrogen fueling in their property or be able to use public hydrogen fueling (if available)?
Funding is available for both HD BEVs and HD H2 FCEVs. No EVSE or H2 fueling is required to be at your facility. We actually advocate for public fueling and charging when appropriate.
9. Are any dealerships in the eligible counties able to deliver trucks for SECAT funding? Do they have to complete any training or sign any agreement to participate?
There are no dealership requirements.
10. Regarding vehicle leasing, the SECAT guidelines document mention that all leases must be from an approved leasing company. Is there a public document that lists the approved leasing companies? Would SECAT consider funding deals where the OEM acts as lessor?
No, there is no public document listing the approved leasing companies. The OEM is able to be the lessor.
11. Does SECAT fund used Zero-Emission vehicles?
Yes, up to the purchase price of the used vehicle, or the max grant amount, whichever is lower.
12. I have already issued a PO to order vehicles that would qualify for SECAT funds, am i able to apply for SECAT to assist in paying for these vehicles?
Yes, you can use SECAT for PO's as long as no money has excahnged hands. As long as the date of reimbursement and expense is after contract execution with SMAQMD you may still qualify for funds.
13. “SECAT funded vehicles cannot be used to comply with ARB Advanced Clean Fleet requirements.” Since all vehicles in our fleet over 8,500 need to be reported to CARB under ACF, how will SECAT vehicles somehow be “quarantined” from that reporting. I am trying to understand this requirement and how they will actually be excluded from ACF.?
When you report a vehicle to ARB, they will ask if the vehicle received incentive funding. This will exclude it from the fleet requirements while still being compliant for reporting.
We cannot double count projects with SECAT. The funding is specifically to fund voluntary actions surplus to regulations. The ARB passed ACF with the expectation that fleets would pay 100% of the compliance cost without any assistance. This is part of the reason we are expanding SECAT to fund light and medium duty vehicles not subject to fleet requirements. This is stated in the 2023 SECAT guidelines 3.1.2.
14. Will the application be reviewed and awarded right after it’s received or will be reviewed and awarded together after Nov 2024? For example, if a school district applied in May, will the AQMD announce its award in June or wait until after November?
Yes, we intend to review and approve applications as soon as possible upon receipt. Applicants approved for more than $1 million in SECAT funding will require approval by our Board of Directors which will delay the process, but most may get awards within 30 days.
15. Can we stack SECAT with HVIP set aside? Including the HVIP SB114 incentive?
Yes
16. Please clarify the difference between who may apply for Heavy-Duty vs. Light-Duty and Medium Duty vehicles?
Qualified applicants for HD vehicles are EVERYONE. Only government and non-profit organizations may apply for LD and MD vehicles through SECAT.
17. I am a non-profit who would like to purchase three light duty vehicles, do I qualify to apply to SECAT?
The first 45 days through June 24, 2024, the minimum application requirement is five vehicles. As of June 24th, if funding is available, you may apply for three vehicles.
