Latest news with #CARProgram
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Wire
More Californians Qualify for Cool Air Rebate Program That Now Pays 90% of Vehicle A/C Repairs
RIVERSIDE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the Cool Air Rebate (CAR) Program, which provides financial assistance to low-income Californians to repair leaking vehicle air conditioning systems, announced changes to the program that allow more Californians to stay safe and cool in their cars this summer. "This isn't just about comfort—it's about equity and health. Low-income families are often the most impacted by extreme heat, and this program makes it possible for them to fix their car A/C and avoid the heat-related risks." The Cool Air Rebate Program now covers up to 90% of eligible repair costs (an increase from 80% previously) to remove leaking R-134a refrigerant – a greenhouse gas 1,400 times more harmful than CO₂- from car air conditioning systems. The CAR Program is broadening the customer income requirements from 200% of the federal poverty level to 225%, expanding the number of individuals who qualify for the program. Finally, the CAR Program announced it is offering free diagnostic testing to determine vehicle eligibility at participating auto repair shops statewide for applicants in the month of July. These program guideline updates go into effect on July 1, 2025 and are permanent. The free diagnostic is a limited time offer and available only from July 1 - July 31, 2025. 'The critical updates to the Cool Air Rebate Program – increasing the financial assistance to cover up to 90% of repair costs, broadening income eligibility, and offering free diagnostic testing in July – are about making sure more Californians can get the help they need to stay safe and cool,' said Nathan Perrine, Executive Director of the Car Care Council, which manages the CAR Program. 'This isn't just about comfort—it's about equity and health. Low-income families are often the most impacted by extreme heat, and this program makes it possible for them to fix their car A/C and avoid the heat-related risks that come with driving in extreme heat.' In addition to helping vulnerable Californians stay safe this summer, a primary goal of the CAR Program is to directly reduce the amount of air pollution caused by the release of R-134a refrigerant in our atmosphere. According to the American Lung Association's 2025 State of the Air, several California cities are consistently ranked among the worst for ozone pollution, including Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Visalia, Bakersfield, Fresno, and Sacramento. Ozone pollution is a major contributor to respiratory illnesses, including asthma attacks and increased asthma-related emergency room visits. Beyond health, ozone's impact on plant life reduces crop yields and timber production, resulting in significant economic losses. Since the program debuted as a pilot in Fresno in July 2024, the program has repaired 1,067 vehicles and provided nearly $1.2 million in subsidies to participating auto repair shops statewide. There are more than 110 cities throughout California that are now offering the CAR Program. Funding for the Cool Air Rebate Program comes from unclaimed deposits on cans of R-134a sold in California. Use of the funding was authorized by the California Air Resources Board in 2024. The CAR Program announced the updates to the program at CSAI Auto Service in Riverside, who has joined more than 225 certified auto repair shops as a CAR Program certified partner. At the announcement event, CSAI Auto Service owner Patricia Summers shared why her shop joined the program. 'We see families every day who put off repairs because they just can't afford them,' said Summers, owner of CSAI Auto Service in Riverside. 'Being part of the Cool Air Rebate Program means we can say 'yes' to more people. We're proud to offer this service to our community.' Rancho Cucamonga resident Tara S. had her vehicle A/C repaired through the Cool Air Rebate Program last month, after driving without a functioning A/C for two years. Tara lives with her 80-year-old mother, who has Alzheimer's and is very sensitive to high temperatures, which meant running errands either very early in the morning or in the evening to avoid the extreme heat. 'My mom and I have a limited income, and we couldn't afford to repair the A/C,' Tara said, adding that it was challenging taking her mom to doctor's appointments during the summer months. 'It was the longest two years of my life. You don't realize how important a working A/C is until it's gone. My car's A/C works better than ever now. I'm so grateful.' The CAR Program is partnering with 240 trusted community organizations throughout the state to work within their communities and reach as many eligible applicants as possible. One outstanding partner is Gerardo Puluido and the incredible team at Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Service, who have provided vital support to families in Riverside's Casa Blanca neighborhood since 1970 and are now helping spread the word about the Cool Air Rebate Program. 'The Cool Air Rebate Program has been everything they said they are—the program just keeps getting better,' said Puluido, praising the expanded 90% coverage and new income eligibility requirements. Electronic Press Kit Assets Available: Media can access b-roll video, photos, CAR Logos and other visual assets of the Cool Air Rebate program here. The Cool Air Rebate Program offers financial assistance to low-income Californians to cover up to 90% of repair costs to remove leaking R-134a refrigerant – a greenhouse gas 1,400 times more harmful than CO₂ – from personal vehicles manufactured between 1993 and 2019. Funding for the Cool Air Rebate Program comes from unclaimed deposits on cans of R-134a sold in California, in coordination with the Car Care Council and the California Air Resources Board.
Business Wire
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
Cool Air Rebate Program Formally Launches Statewide, Announces Retail Partnership
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Cool Air Rebate (CAR) Program, which provides financial assistance to low-income Californians to repair leaking vehicle air conditioning systems, announced today the formal statewide launch of the Program. The CAR Program also announced today a partnership with NAPA Auto Care to broaden access statewide. 'During the scorching summer months, when temperatures frequently exceed 100 degrees across California, having a functional air conditioning system in a vehicle is not just a convenience—it's a critical safety measure.' Nathan Perrine, Car Care Council. Share 'Californians have been benefiting from the Cool Air Rebate Program since our pilot launch last summer, and we're proud to formally declare we are making the Program available statewide to help more motorists save money, stay safe, and improve their everyday driving comfort,' said Nathan Perrine, Executive Director of the Car Care Council, the administrator of the Cool Air Rebate Program. 'During the scorching summer months, when temperatures frequently exceed 100 degrees across California, having a functional air conditioning system in a vehicle is not just a convenience—it's a critical safety measure.' An often overlooked, yet preventable, source of air pollution is faulty vehicle air conditioning systems that leak R-134a, a common refrigerant used in vehicles manufactured between 1993 and 2019. Just one gram of R-134a is equivalent to releasing 1,400 grams of carbon dioxide. The Cool Air Rebate Program is the first of its kind in the nation committed to addressing this issue by providing financial assistance to Californians who are unable to afford repairing their leaking car air conditioners. The Cool Air Rebate Program has grown organically throughout California since the Fresno pilot launched last year as interested auto repair shops have joined the Program. Since July 2024, the CAR Program has: Repaired 833 vehicle air conditioning systems Paid more than $950,000 for leaking vehicle AC repairs Certified 145 auto repair shops Certified auto repair shops in located in 79 cities With the formal statewide expansion, the Program's goal in 2025 is to enroll an additional 100 certified auto repair shops and repair an additional 1,000 vehicle air conditioning systems. One customer who has benefited from the Cool Air Rebate Program is Sacramento State student Kian Jang, who would drive hours to visit his family on the weekends in his car that had a leaking, non-functioning air conditioner. 'It was miserable to get in my car in the summer. And there is no way I could have afforded these repairs,' Jang explained. 'We couldn't believe that we might be eligible and how easy it was to apply. A week later, we were in the shop getting our AC fixed, and off we went in a cool car. I am so grateful for a car AC that now works.' A significant milestone in meeting these goals is today's announcement of a partnership with NAPA Auto Care to support and promote the Program to its network of affiliated independent auto repair centers throughout California. As part of the partnership, NAPA Auto Care-affiliated shops will have exclusive opportunities to participate in the CAR Program, gaining access to rebate funding, marketing support, and technical training to help them integrate energy-efficient A/C services into their offerings. Acknowledging the momentum and growth of certified auto repair shops signing up to offer the CAR Program, the Car Care Council today honored Bill McAnally Racing's NAPA AutoCare Center in Antelope, Calif. as the 100th certified auto repair partner to join the CAR Program. 'I'm proud to be honored with this recognition, which underscores our commitment to the customers we serve every day,' said Bill McAnally, owner of BMR Racing NAPA Auto Care Center. 'Most of us take for granted a working air conditioner in our vehicles, and this program will help us help more of our valued customers stay cool and safe.' Visual assets for media Media can access b-roll video, photos, program logos and other visual assets of the Cool Air Rebate Program here. The Cool Air Rebate Program offers financial assistance to low-income Californians to cover up to 80% of repair costs to remove leaking R-134a refrigerant – a greenhouse gas 1,400 times more harmful than CO₂ – from personal vehicles manufactured between 1993 and 2019. Funding for the Cool Air Rebate Program comes from unclaimed deposits on cans of R-134a sold in California, in coordination with the Car Care Council and the California Air Resources Board. For more information on the Cool Air Rebate Program and how to participate, visit
