To be eligible for the program, you must live in California and own a car manufactured between 1993 and 2019, or have an older vehicle that has been retrofitted with R-134a refrigerant. The program income eligibility requirements are based on 200% of the 2024 federal income poverty level. Participants receive up to 80% of the cost of fix the A/C.
Originally piloted in Fresno in the summer of 2024, the CAR Program seeks to address not only the sweltering discomfort experienced by drivers without reliable cooling but also the environmental hazard posed by leaking refrigerant gases. In tandem with its expansion, the program also unveiled a new partnership with NAPA Auto Care, one of the nation’s largest networks of independent auto repair centers, to ensure broader statewide access to the program’s benefits.
“Californians have been quietly benefiting from this initiative since our pilot phase last year,” said Nathan Perrine, Executive Director of the Car Care Council, which administers the program. “We are proud to now formally declare that the Cool Air Rebate Program is available throughout California. Our aim is to help more drivers remain safe, reduce environmental harm, and improve their everyday comfort on the road.”
The program addresses a significant yet often overlooked source of climate-warming emissions: vehicle air conditioning systems that leak R-134a refrigerant. This chemical, used in most cars manufactured between 1993 and 2019, has a global warming potential approximately 1,400 times greater than carbon dioxide. According to environmental advocates, even a single gram of R-134a released into the atmosphere is the equivalent of emitting 1.4 kilograms of carbon dioxide.
Through the CAR Program, eligible participants can receive rebates covering up to 80 percent of the cost to repair leaking air conditioning systems—an expense that often runs into the hundreds of dollars and remains out of reach for many low-income drivers.
Since the program’s initial launch last July, it has gained traction organically, with auto repair shops across California voluntarily joining the effort. In less than a year, the program has funded over $950,000 in repairs, restored cooling systems in 833 vehicles, and certified 145 repair facilities across 79 cities. With the formal statewide launch now in effect, program officials aim to certify at least 100 additional auto shops and facilitate repairs in 1,000 more vehicles over the course of 2025.
For Sacramento State University student Kian Jang, the program has been transformative. He frequently drove hours to visit family, all without the benefit of a functioning air conditioner. “It was miserable to get in my car during the summer months,” Jang said. “I never imagined I could afford to fix it. But applying was so simple, and within a week we had our AC repaired. It made a huge difference.”
Thursday’s announcement also recognized a notable milestone: the certification of the 100th repair partner under the CAR Program. Bill McAnally Racing’s NAPA AutoCare Center in Antelope, California, was honored for joining the initiative and exemplifying the kind of community-focused service the program hopes to encourage.
“I’m incredibly honored to be part of this effort,” said owner Bill McAnally. “Too often, we take for granted that our vehicle air conditioning will simply work. But for so many people, that’s not the case. This program gives us the ability to serve our customers in a way that really matters.”
As part of its agreement with the Car Care Council, NAPA Auto Care will offer its affiliated shops exclusive access to rebate funding, marketing support, and specialized training on energy-efficient air conditioning services. The partnership is expected to significantly scale up the program’s reach and visibility in the months ahead.
Funding for the Cool Air Rebate Program is sourced from unclaimed deposits on R-134a refrigerant cans sold in California, under the oversight of the California Air Resources Board in collaboration with the Car Care Council.
For additional information on eligibility, participating shops, or how to apply, Californians can visit www.coolairrebate.org.