Data Sharing and Privacy Consent
By submitting an application, the applicant expressly consents to the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) obtaining and accessing data from the applicable Transportation Network Company (TNC) (e.g., Uber or Lyft) regarding the number of miles driven and rides provided by the applicant over the past four (4) quarters, along with the sharing of personal identifying information that includes the applicant’s name, email address, phone number and driver’s license number. This data will be utilized solely for the purposes of program administration and eligibility verification under the Ride Clean Mass initiative.
Applicants further consent to the applicable Transportation Network Company (TNC) (e.g., Uber or Lyft) sharing data with the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) related to the number of miles driven and rides completed using the applicant’s electric vehicle for a period of twelve (12) months following the vehicle purchase. This data, including vehicle information such as VIN, make, model, and year, will be used solely for program administration and eligibility verification under the Ride Clean Mass initiative, specifically to gauge the emissions benefits of the program. All applicant personal data and non-aggregated trip data collected will remain confidential and accessible only to CSE and the TNC with which the applicant is affiliated and will not be shared with any third parties without prior written consent, except as required by state or federal law. Any research or analysis data made available externally will rely solely on aggregated and anonymized information to protect applicant privacy. All collected data will be kept secure in accordance with industry standards.
Pre-Approval and Reapplication Process
Pre-approval for participation in the Ride Clean Mass program does not constitute a guarantee of funding. All pre-approved applicants are required to submit a final application upon the purchase of an electric vehicle. If, upon review of the final application, any information provided during the pre-approval process is found to be incomplete, inaccurate, or misleading, the applicant’s eligibility for a voucher may be denied at the sole discretion of the Ride Clean Mass team.
Limitation of Liability
The Ride Clean Mass team, including but not limited to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center (MassCEC), CALSTART, the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE), Green Energy Consumers, and the UMass Translation Center, as well as the applicable TNC(s), shall not be held liable for any decision to reject a voucher application on the basis that it does not meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Additionally, the Ride Clean Mass team is not a party to any transaction between the applicant (driver) and the dealership or store from which an electric vehicle is purchased. Accordingly, the Ride Clean Mass team bears no responsibility for any disputes, issues, claims, or liabilities arising from such transactions. No employment relationship, joint venture, or principal and agent relationship will be created between the applicant, Uber, Lyft, and any member of the Ride Clean Mass team solely by virtue of the applicant’s participation in the Ride Clean Mass program.
By submitting an application, the applicant agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and release the Ride Clean Mass Team, applicable TNC(s), and their officers, directors, employees, agents, successors and assigns from any claims, actions, liabilities, losses, damages, judgments, fines, interest, costs and expenses arising from or related to the rejection of their application or from the purchase or subsequent use of a vehicle through the Program.
Vehicle Eligibility Requirements
Vehicles must be classified as light-duty (Class 1-2a) with a GVWR of 8,500 lbs. or less, with the exception of livery vehicles, which must have a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less. The vehicle must have been purchased or rented on or after November 12, 2024. Vehicles must be purchased from licensed dealerships or rented at licensed car rental companies. Private sales or rentals are not eligible for the program.
Type of Vehicle: Applicants must adopt a full Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) to qualify for this program.
Furthermore, applicants must not make or allow any modifications to the vehicle’s emissions control systems, hardware, or software calibrations that may alter or interfere with the vehicle’s environmental performance. Non-compliance with these terms may result in disqualification from the program and potential forfeiture of the incentive at the sole discretion of CALSTART.
Livery Eligibility Requirements
For the purposes of the Ride Clean Mass program, a livery driver shall be defined as a professional for-hire driver who provides prearranged passenger transportation services
using a licensed vehicle that is not operated through a transportation network company (TNC) platform and is not subject to a taxi medallion requirement. To qualify for the
program, livery drivers or businesses must present a certificate of registration that specifies their classification as a livery driver and meet all other applicable Program eligibility requirements.
Ownership and Driving Requirements
Applicants must retain ownership of the vehicle for a minimum of thirty-six (36) consecutive months from the vehicle purchase date. The resale of a Ride Clean Mass vehicle for financial gain within this 36-month period is strictly prohibited. If the vehicle is sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of before the 36-month period, the applicant may be required to return the incentive, in full or in part, at the sole discretion of CALSTART.
Applicants acknowledge and agree that they shall be responsible for purchasing and maintaining in effect the appropriate automobile insurance on the vehicle purchased through the Ride Clean Mass Program, with the necessary statutory limits prescribed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the duration of the Program. Such insurance shall be in occurrence form and with carriers that are admitted and authorized in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Additionally, TNC incentive recipients must continue driving with a TNC for a minimum of twelve (12) consecutive months following the purchase of the electric vehicle through the Ride Clean Mass program. Failure to meet this driving requirement may result in the revocation of the incentive, and the applicant may be required to return the incentive, in full or in part, at the sole discretion of CALSTART. If the applicant experiences unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances preventing them from meeting the driving requirements, the applicant may submit a written request explaining the circumstances along with any official corresponding documentation. CALSTART will review the exemption request with MassCEC to determine if the requirements for an exemption have been met.
Furthermore, the vehicle purchased through the Ride Clean Program must maintain registration with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) for a minimum of thirty-six (36) consecutive months for use within the state of Massachusetts. The vehicle must be actively used within the state of Massachusetts for these thirty-six (36) months to meet this requirement. Failure to meet this registration requirement may result in the revocation of the incentive, and the applicant may be required to return the incentive, in full or in part, at the sole discretion of CALSTART.