Arvin, a city of 16,000 in southern Kern County, will receive a $546,700 grant to buy cleaner-running municipal vehicles.

The community has the highest number of smog violations in the country over the last several years. The reason is that ozone-making gases from larger cities drift on breezes to Arvin and create violations.

The grant money comes from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. The money will buy six hybrid police vehicles, one street sweeper and a type of tractor called a front-end loader.

“We’re very much in need, and we appreciate the air district looking out for some of the worst-polluted areas in the nation,” said Mayor Tim Tarver.