The federal government’s Cash-for-Clunkers program, which gives people up to $4,500 toward a new car when they scrap less fuel efficient ones, has proven so popular Congress rushed more money into the program before leaving for summer break.
But for local clunker owners who can’t afford a new car just yet, SLO County is offering $800 to the first 175 folks willing to turn in their cars or trucks made in 1992 or before.
It’s called the Old Car Buy Back program, and it’s run by the Air Pollution Control District.
Under the plan, the turned-in cars or lightweight or medium-weight trucks will be crushed after all of the parts that can be recycled are removed. Eligible cars must have a current smog certificate, have been registered to a SLO County address for at least two years, and the vehicles must be driven to the dismantler locations.
It’s expected to start in the coming weeks and the district is developing a list of interested people.
“The beauty of this is they don’t need to purchase another car, it just has to meet certain criteria,” said Aeron Arlin-Genet, manager of planning and outreach for the control district.
For more information, contact 781-4247.
This article appears in Aug 20-27, 2009.