If you own a gas-powered lawn mower, trimmer, or edger, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District will pay you to replace it with an electric one. The Clean Green Yard Machines program offers rebates of up to $250 — or up to $500 in certain Fresno neighborhoods — when you switch from gas to electric yard equipment.
The program is open to all residents in Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare counties, and the Valley portion of Kern County. If you live in Fresno, Kerman, or Clovis, you qualify.
Why Gas Yard Equipment Is a Bigger Problem Than You Think
This might surprise you: running a gas-powered lawn mower for one hour produces roughly the same emissions as driving a car 300 miles. Gas-powered leaf blowers, trimmers, and edgers are just as bad. In the San Joaquin Valley — which already has some of the worst air quality in the nation — that adds up fast.
The Valley Air District created the Clean Green Yard Machines program to get these high-polluting engines off the market and help residents switch to cleaner electric alternatives that are quieter, cheaper to maintain, and produce zero direct emissions.
Two Ways to Get Your Rebate
The program offers two options depending on whether you're replacing an old gas mower or simply buying new electric equipment.
Option 1: Replace Your Gas Mower With an Electric Mower
This option gives you the largest rebate. You purchase a new electric lawn mower and turn in your old gas mower for destruction at a participating dismantler.
| Electric Mower Price | Rebate Amount |
|---|---|
| $200 or less | Up to $100 (50% of price) |
| $201–$350 | $150 |
| $351 or more | $250 |
Enhanced rebates for AB617 communities: If you live in South Central Fresno, Shafter, Stockton, or Arvin/Lamont, you can receive up to $500 — double the standard rebate. These communities face disproportionate air pollution, so the Air District provides extra incentive.
How it works:
- Purchase a new electric lawn mower
- Take your old gas mower to a participating dismantler within 30 days of purchase
- Get a Destruction Verification Form from the dismantler
- Submit your rebate application with proof of purchase and the verification form
Option 2: Buy New Electric Equipment (No Trade-In Required)
Don't have an old gas mower to turn in? You can still get a rebate on new electric yard equipment — no destruction required.
| Equipment Price | Rebate Amount |
|---|---|
| Under $100 | Up to $25 |
| $100 or more | $50 |
Eligible equipment includes:
- Electric lawn mowers
- Electric edgers
- Electric string trimmers
- Electric chainsaws
- Electric pole saws
Note: Leaf blowers are not eligible under this program.
You're responsible for at least 50% of the purchase price. Simply buy the equipment, then submit your application with proof of purchase.
Which Option Should You Choose?
If you have an old gas mower sitting in your garage, Option 1 is the better deal by far. You'll get up to $250 (or $500 in AB617 areas) versus just $50 with Option 2. The catch is you need to get your old mower to a participating dismantler within 30 days.
If you don't have an old gas mower or you're looking to buy electric trimmers, edgers, or chainsaws, Option 2 is straightforward — buy the equipment and apply for your $25–$50 rebate.
You can also combine both options: use Option 1 to replace your gas mower, then use Option 2 to pick up an electric trimmer or edger at a discount.
Do You Live in an AB617 Community?
The enhanced rebates (up to $500) are available to residents in these specific areas:
- South Central Fresno — many neighborhoods south of downtown Fresno
- Shafter — community in Kern County
- Stockton — in San Joaquin County
- Arvin/Lamont — communities in Kern County
If you're unsure whether your address qualifies, call the Valley Air District at (559) 230-5800 and they can check your eligibility.
How to Apply
The application process is straightforward:
- Purchase your new electric equipment from any retailer
- For Option 1 only: Bring your old gas mower to a participating dismantler within 30 days and get a Destruction Verification Form
- Submit your rebate application along with your receipt and any required documentation
- Receive your rebate check
Program guidelines and applications are available in both English and Spanish. You can find them at the Valley Air District's Clean Green Yard Machines page or by contacting:
- Phone: (559) 230-5800
- Email: grants@valleyair.org
Electric Equipment Actually Works Better for Central Valley Yards
If you've been hesitant about going electric, here's what we've found working on lawns across Fresno, Kerman, and Clovis:
- Battery life has improved dramatically. Modern electric mowers handle standard residential yards (up to ~8,000 sq ft) on a single charge.
- Less maintenance. No oil changes, spark plug replacements, carburetor cleaning, or gas stabilizer. Charge the battery and go.
- Quieter operation. You can mow early morning or evening without disturbing neighbors — a real advantage when you're trying to avoid mowing in 105°F afternoon heat.
- No emissions at the point of use. In a valley where summer air quality regularly hits "unhealthy" levels, this matters.
The main limitation is large properties. If you're maintaining an acre or more, you may still need gas equipment or a riding mower. But for most residential yards in the Fresno metro area, electric handles the job.
Stack This With Other Rebates
This program can complement other local rebates. If you're also considering replacing lawn with drought-tolerant landscaping, check out Fresno's Lawn-to-Garden rebate that offers up to $1,500 for turf replacement. Between the two programs, you could save real money while improving your property and helping Valley air quality.
We're Here to Help With Your Lawn
Whether you go electric or stick with gas, maintaining a healthy lawn in the Central Valley's heat takes consistent lawn care — proper mowing heights, watering schedules, and seasonal adjustments. If you'd rather leave it to a local crew that knows Central Valley conditions, we handle everything from bi-weekly lawn maintenance to sprinkler repair and landscape design.
Request a free estimate or call us at (559) 809-1230. We serve Kerman, Fresno, Clovis, and the surrounding Central Valley.
