Vehicle RequirementsTransportation & Natural Resources
New Vehicle Eligibility Requirements Effective September 1, 2011:
To participate in the AirCheck Texas program you must also meet these income requirements.
Income eligibilty requirements
Vehicles to be retired:
A vehicle to be retired must be registered and have been registered in a participating county for 12 of the past 15 months preceding application for assistance.
Replacement Vehicles
All vehicles sold on or after September 1 must meet new eligibility criteria, regardless of the voucher's date of issue or expiration, or status of ongoing sales negotiations with the dealer.
The vehicle you purchase must meet the following requirements:
- Must be a federal Tier 2 Bin 5 or cleaner vehicle
- Have an odometer reading of not more than 70,000 miles;
- Cannot cost more than:
- $35,000 before tax, title and license, or
- $45,000 for a hybrid vehicle, electric vehicle, natural gas vehicle or a vehicle certified to meet or exceed federal Tier 2, Bin 3 or cleaner certification of current or up to three model years old; before tax, title and license; and
- Must be purchased through a participating dealer.
Model Year Requirements
Most vehicles of model year 2009 or later are eligible, however pickup trucks must be model year 2010 or later.
- Model year 2012-2009 cars, SUVs, and vans;
- Model year 2012-2010 pickup trucks; and
- Model year 2012-2009 hybrid, electric, natural gas and all vehicles that have been certified to meet stricter federal emission standards, Tier 2, Bin 3 or cleaner, will qualify for $3,500 voucher.
What are these Tier and Bin certifications?
The Environmental Protection Agency regulates emissions by setting standards for the specific pollutants being emitted. The Current Tier 2 standards range from Bin 1, zero emissions vehicles down to Bin 11, the heaviest polluters. New certification lists are released annually, with new standards going into effect on September 1st.
More information on these certification standards is available on the EPA website.
