The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is offering rebates to Pennsylvania residents to assist with the cost of purchasing an alternative fuel vehicle.

          "Alternative fuel vehicles are good for the climate and are a part of building a sustainable Pennsylvania," DEP Secretary John Quigley said. "We encourage everyone to consider these renewable and clean technologies."

         These rebates are funded by the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program, which is supported by a gross receipts tax on utilities. To qualify, the vehicle must be registered in Pennsylvania, operated primarily in-state and be purchased no more than six months before the rebate application is submitted.

        Large-battery vehicles are eligible for a rebate of $2,000 (examples include models such as the Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus, Chevy Volt, and similar models from BMW and Tesla). DEP is also offering rebates of $1,000 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery-electric vehicles (examples include the Toyota Prius plug-in, Ford C-Max Energi, Ford Fusion, and Honda Accord).

        Rebates of $1,000 are also being offered for natural gas, propane, hydrogen or fuel-cell vehicles, such as the CNG powered Honda Civic or any new CNG powered car or pickup truck. CNG original equipment, manufacturer retrofits or certified conversions to CNG or propane are also eligible for the $1,000 rebate. A $500 rebate is available for electric motorcycles and scooters.

        There are only a limited number of rebates available at $2,000. The rebate program offered will be reassessed upon payment of the first 250 rebates at $2,000 or June 30, whichever occurs first.

        For more information on the types of eligible vehicles and to apply for a rebate go online and visit on the internet http://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/GrantsLoansRebates/Alternative-Fuels-Incentive-Grant/Pages/Alternative-Fuel-Vehicles.aspx#.VoLME0Qo45i.