Lawn & Garden Equipment Exchange Program

 

 

Heidy Yupe, Air Quality Specialist (805) 303-3655 (speaks Spanish and English)

Stephanie Lapeyre-Montrose, Supervising Air Quality Specialist (805) 303-3665

 

The district is awarding a total of $937,500 in vouchers to residents, businesses and organizations to replace gasoline- and diesel-powered equipment with new cordless electric versions. The program launched Oct. 1, 2024, and vouchers are being awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for zero-emissions equipment.

Who is eligible?
The program is open to all Ventura County residents, businesses including commercial landscapers, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, public schools and school districts.

How much are the vouchers worth?
In most cases, vouchers should cover all or most of the cost of new equipment, one charger and additional batteries.
 

Maximum Voucher Amount Per Trade-In:

 

 Residential Commercial
Handheld equipment including chainsaws, trimmers, edgers and brush cutters

 

 $300 $700
Blowers/Vacuums

 

 $200 $1,400
Walk-behind mowers

 

 $330 $1,500
Ride-on and stand/sit mowers $2,000 $15,000


Why should I switch to electric?
Emissions of nitrogen oxides, reactive organic compounds and particulate matter from gas- and diesel-powered lawn and garden equipment are a significant source of air pollution in Ventura County. Operating a commercial leaf blower for one hour emits as much smog-forming pollution as driving a new passenger car about 1,100 miles. Electric equipment also reduces noise pollution.

How do I get a voucher?

  1. Visit a participating retailer to select new equipment.
  2. Fill out an application:
       Residential - English
       Residential - Spanish
       Commercial - English
       Commercial - Spanish
  3. Submit the completed application and requested photos of old equipment to the retailer or email it to heidy@vcapcd.org.
  4. District staff will review the application to determine eligibility. If an application is approved, staff will mail a voucher to the applicant.
  5. Turn in the equivalent old equipment to the retailer where you are making the purchase. The retailer will test the old equipment to make sure it is operable, drain the fluids and send it to a dismantler.
  6. Sign and submit the voucher to the retailer. The retailer will discount the price of the new equipment by the voucher amount.

 

Who are the participating retailers?

Newbury Park

  • Mac’s Lawnmowers, 2697 Lavery Court #11

Oxnard

  • Cal-Coast Machinery (ride-on residential mower only), 2450 Eastman Ave.
  • Pacific Equipment, 3897 N. Southbank Road

Simi Valley

  • Ace Hardware, 2910 Tapo Canyon Road

Thousand Oaks

  • Ace Hardware, 1934 E. Avenida de Los Arboles

 

Background: This is part of the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program, a partnership among the state’s air districts and the California Air Resources Board that funds cleaner-than-required replacements for high-polluting engines.