Texas and California Want Clunkers Gone Too

Texas and California Want Clunkers Gone Too

Texas and California do not often agree on much, but they are among the most aggressive states in trying to get old cars off the road. Texas launched Drive a Clean Machine, effort in 2008 that offered consumers up to $3,500 toward a new vehicle if they turned in a beater that was 10-years old or older. So far, more than 11,000 buyers have taken advantage of the offer.

In California, the state has $50 million available for low-income residents to get vehicles that fail emissions tests off the road or have them repaired. Retiring the vehicle will get the owner a $1,500 incentive; fixing it puts them in position to receive a $500 rebate. The program retired 16,000 vehicles last year.