Q&A with Industry Experts: Matt Schrap on the Voucher Incentive Program

Q&A with Industry Experts: Matt Schrap on the Voucher Incentive Program

October 21, 2017
Q&A with Industry Experts: Matt Schrap on the Voucher Incentive Program

As a division of Velocity Vehicle Group, Crossroads offers free grant advice for those in the trucking and transportation industry. We would like to provide some insight from our VP of Government Programs, Matt Schrap. Matt is president of California Fleet Solutions (CFS), and he knows his stuff when it comes to government grants and trucking industry regulation. Here we would like to share with you some basic information about the On-Road Heavy Duty Voucher Incentive Program (VIP), and then have a short Q&A with Matt to help you understand how Crossroads can help you take advantage of this government funding.
California’s Voucher Incentive Program is a state sponsored voucher that supports smaller fleets, to purchase an upgrade to replace their older, higher polluting vehicles. VIP also provides funding to retrofit older vehicles to decrease the vehicle’s environmental impact. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has many resources to provide you with logistical information on their website, including a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) sheet, and a VIP Brochure. Below we include some basic details to give you a brief overview of this voucher program.
Eligibility:
According to CARB, eligibility is as outlined below:
Eligible applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • The fleet is currently compliant with all applicable federal, state, and local air quality rules and regulations;
  • Fleets of ten or fewer on-road heavy-duty diesel or alternative fuel vehicles over 14,000pds GVWR;
  • Own a truck equipped with a 2009 or older model year diesel or alternative fuel engine;
  • Truck must be owned and operated in California for 24 full months (partial registration for three to six continuous months per year may still be eligible);
  • Truck must be registered in the state of California, CA Based IRP is eligible; and
  • At least 75 percent of the miles traveled or fuel consumed over the last two years must have been in California.
  • Note: Some local requirements may apply.

Source: CARB VIP FAQ Sheet (as of 7/33/2017)
Funding:

  • Truck replacement vouchers range from $10,000 to $60,000

Source: CARB VIP FAQ Sheet
Q&A with Matt:

  • If I am eligible, what is my likelihood of getting approved for VIP funding? Will working with Crossroads increase the likelihood that I could get approved for the voucher?
    • Crossroads has access to resources that other finance companies do not. When a customer comes to us, we can review their information, help them locate an approved dealer, get them in an appropriate truck and structure a loan that reflects their business needs. The competition cannot rival the institutional knowledge Crossroads has gained after thousands of transactions involving grants totaling close to $20M.
  • How can Crossroads support their customers in acquiring VIP funding? What kind of support can customers expect to receive?
    • Crossroads will walk the customer through each step of the process. Several different requirements must be adhered to during application submittal and review. One wrong step can jeopardize the grant and disqualify the operator. Crossroads and CFS will help fleets maintain compliance and ensure that every box is checked so the grant comes through and the customer gets their truck.
  • What is the benefit of using VIP and financing through Crossroads?
    • Grant access is very limited. If eligible, fleets can help supplement their compliance pathways by utilizing government incentive funds to offset the increasing costs of newer heavy duty equipment. Crossroads can determine eligibility and make sure that applications are complete and fully eligible. Customers will receive hands on assistance every step of the way and can rest assured that they are in good hands from start to finish.

If you are interested in learning more about Matt Schrap and the work he does with California Fleet Solutions (CFS), you can connect with him on LinkedIn or visit http://www.cafleetsolutions.com/ .
If you believe you may be interested or eligible, and you would like to take advantage of this government funding, visit crlease.com. Please leave a comment below with thoughts and questions. If you think this information would be useful for your friends and connections, SHARE!
Last Updated: 9/8/2017

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