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[guity]

Hi,

I've got a small issue and I was wondering if anybody on this forum might have more information on this issue, or a solution to it.

I laid down a deposit on the Zero S, and was told that some time in June my name would probably come up as next on the list to purchase a machine.  At the same time, I have been inquiring with the people at the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the state organization handling the $1,500 rebate for purchasing electric motorcycles (I believe the rebates come in the form of vouchers that are given to either the customer or the dealer at the time of purchase and the dealer discounts the customer's price by $1,500 and uses the vouchers to collect the money from the state).

The CARB folks are telling me that they are setting up a new program called the Air Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) that will directly handle the rebates.  However, they are telling me that AQIP will not be up and running until sometime in the (late) fall.  They are also saying that if I purchase the Zero S before the AQIP is up and running, then I won't be eligible for the $1,500 rebate (in other words, I won't be able to claim the rebate retroactively).

Can anyone verify if I have my facts straight here, and/or if there are any work around solutions I could use to get the bike now, when my name hits the top of the list, without losing out on the $1,500?

Thanks, and by the way, thanks for your web site!

[picasso]

Burden is on Zero for this one. I asked for more details a few times and got unclear responses. The dealer getting the rebate voucher I have never heard of up to your post.  The credit the tesla roadster was able to get in CA is all used up. So it seems the key to these refunds is to get in fast.

[guity]

Yes, picasso, I think you are correct when you say the previous funding source is used up.  So right now it looks like we are in a window between the old used-up funding and the new funding that hasn't become operational yet.  I'm not sure about how the voucher/rebate works, that was just my vague impression.  But I am sure that the CARB people keep telling me that there will be no rebate available for any electric vehicles purchased before the AQIP is up and running. 

However, who knows how it will all work out?  Maybe waiting an extra few months to make the purchase will allow Zero to iron out a few bugs with the S, like the bug they apparently ironed out with the flex in your Zero X forks, when they came out with the MX...

[picasso]

Another thing that sucks. The new warranty options. Say I want to get the 2year no fault and upgrade warranty. The only fork at this time I can upgrade to is the white brothers. The way the warranty/upgrade is setup you can only get the discount for upgrades on the same model. So the X and MX bike are not in the same class. Kind of bummed about this. I was going to get the warranty but the restriction to just the "X" line kind of sucks when the MX is the same damn bike.


Update: so the Zero MX has a differnt size head tube on the frame, So changes to MX are frame, fork, brake, wheel, and rear shock.

[guity]

Yeah, one might think Zero would be a little more flexible.  Its like they are addressing design flaws and then purposely calling the design flaw fix a new model instead of the same model done right.

received an email today from the California Air Resources Board, bad news as well:

"I’m afraid I don’t have any new news for you.  The AQIP does not actually have any funds until next year’s budget is approved, so until the FY 2009-10 budget is approved we are unable to move forward with our solicitations for project managers.  We are working on getting everything ready so once the budget is approved we can issue solicitation as quickly as possible- we are planning on having some working group meetings in mid to late July. 

We will not be issuing rebates retroactively.  Moving forward we are hoping that the program will move seamlessly from year to year, but since this is actually a different program than the existing AFVIP and we don’t technically have any funds for the AQIP yet, we can not retroactively provide rebates. 

I don’t have any news on Zero S being eligible for the rebate.  I spoke to our staff person who has been doing the vehicle eligibility determinations for the AFVIP program, and he said he has spoken with Zero S to provide information on independent vehicle certification agencies but he has not heard back from Zero S since that exchange."

[picasso]

Brammo is also pushing the CA rebate. Sales start in July for them. But all of the prices show included the rebate. So price is $9,995.00*

[Green Caledonian]

Hey folks, 
I am new to this forum and a long time EV fan, an avid motorcyclist and some would say a fanatic environmentalist.   I laid my money down to get a Zero S and I have been exploring the rebate issue.  I just called Andrew Panson (found his name on the CARB web sight based on a search for AQUIP), who oversees the program and he said it would be at least two months if not more before the $1500 rebait would be available.  He said $$ will be available before the first of the year for sure.   It is definitely not available retroactively so don't buy unless money is not an issue.  Panson said that the the delay is because they are outsourcing administration of the program so a couple of months will likely be required to organize procedures etc. and they are still waiting on some sort of finalization of the budget.   Pansan said that Johanna Levine (916-324-6971) will now have direct oversight for the program and can answer all questions. 
I am pretty bummed out but thought I would try to get Zero to do some sort of no interest lease which would allow me to use the bike but not actually own it until the rebait was available or perhaps they would be willing to do what the solar installers do and reduce the price but let me forward the rebate to them when I receive it.  We will see.  I want this bike bad so I will work hard to make it happen.

Cheers,
GC

[guity]

Hmm... in #4 I posted a portion of an email from Johanna Levine, but I guess somebody didn't like it because it is now deleted (didn't think it was that controversial).  Anyway, from the sound of Johanna's email, 2 months might be very optimistic as far as how long it will take to get the rebates going. 

I had the same idea about leasing the machine until the rebate became available.  I wrote a letter to John Llyoyd, VP of World Marketing, to ask him if that or any other solution might be available.  That was a week ago, haven't heard back.  Haven't even heard back from my local rep, who is supposed to provide a test ride (maybe he still hasn't gottem his bike yet). 

But I seriously agree -- I hate to wait X months longer for this machine because of the $1,500, but I probably shouldn't even be buying a bike this expensive in the first place, let alone overpaying $1,500 for it...

[picasso]

The rest of you post might be gone from the upgrade? Not sure skadamo did you edit the post?

[skadamo]

I definitly did not delete anything in this thread.  Is the whole post gone?  I will check to be sure no one can edit someone elses posts.

Guity please repost what you had if you can.

For the record I will leave a note in any thread I edit. I don't think I have deleted or edited anything but spam so far.

[guity]

I don't have any way to re-do the post, which I admit is no big loss.  It probably had my usual whining about the rebate and a portion of the following email I received from Johanna Levine:

"I’m afraid I don’t have any new news for you.  The AQIP does not actually have any funds until next year’s budget is approved, so until the FY 2009-10 budget is approved we are unable to move forward with our solicitations for project managers.  We are working on getting everything ready so once the budget is approved we can issue solicitation as quickly as possible- we are planning on having some working group meetings in mid to late July. 

We will not be issuing rebates retroactively.  Moving forward we are hoping that the program will move seamlessly from year to year, but since this is actually a different program than the existing AFVIP and we don’t technically have any funds for the AQIP yet, we can not retroactively provide rebates. 

I don’t have any news on Zero S being eligible for the rebate.  I spoke to our staff person who has been doing the vehicle eligibility determinations for the AFVIP program, and he said he has spoken with Zero S to provide information on independent vehicle certification agencies but he has not heard back from Zero S since that exchange. 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Johanna"