California is taking significant strides towards a zero-emission future with the launch of the Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP), a $242 million initiative designed to help low-income residents access clean transportation. Announced by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), this program prioritizes communities that have historically been underserved by clean vehicle incentive programs, ensuring that the transition to electric vehicles is equitable and inclusive across the state.
With California already surpassing 2 million zero-emission vehicles sold and clean cars making up a quarter of all new car sales, DCAP is a crucial step to broaden access to these technologies. The program specifically targets low-income Californians, particularly those in tribal and rural communities, and areas like Imperial County which will be the first to benefit from this rollout. By offering crucial financial assistance, DCAP addresses a key barrier to clean car adoption and promotes environmental justice.
The core of the Driving Clean Assistance Program is to provide substantial financial support to eligible participants. Those who qualify can receive up to $12,000 as a grant when they retire their older, more polluting vehicles. This grant is specifically for the purchase or lease of a new or used zero-emission vehicle. Recognizing the additional costs associated with electric vehicle ownership, DCAP also includes an extra $2,000 to assist with electric charging expenses. This combined assistance can be used for purchasing a range of zero-emission options, including cars, motorcycles, and even e-bikes, offering flexible solutions to meet diverse transportation needs. Furthermore, to make vehicle ownership more accessible, low-interest loans are available through partnerships with various credit unions, easing the financial burden for participants.
Dr. Steven Cliff, CARB Executive Officer, emphasized the importance of DCAP in achieving California’s ambitious environmental goals. “California has ambitious goals of achieving carbon neutrality and a clean air future, but reaching those targets is not possible if Californians are priced out of clean transportation options,” he stated. “The new Driving Clean Assistance Program provides a necessary focus on low-income Californians, bringing zero-emission technology and increased transportation options to underserved communities across the state.” This program is not just about environmental benefits; it’s about ensuring that all Californians, regardless of income level, can participate in and benefit from the state’s clean energy transition.
To ensure the program is genuinely accessible, DCAP offers tailored support to priority applicants, simplifying the application process and removing potential barriers. Eligibility is based on income, with applicants needing to be at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. For those who do not have a vehicle to scrap or prefer to use alternative mobility options like carsharing, a purchase assistance of $7,500 is available. Additionally, eligible applicants can access vehicle loans with interest rates capped at 8%, further enhancing affordability.
DCAP is designed to complement and expand upon existing programs like Clean Cars 4 All (CC4A). While CC4A has successfully provided over $165 million and helped 20,000 Californians transition to cleaner vehicles since 2015, DCAP extends this reach to areas not currently covered by air district programs. CC4A’s success in removing older, polluting vehicles – averaging around 25 years old with 22 mpg fuel economy – and replacing them with much cleaner alternatives (averaging 80 mpg equivalent) demonstrates the effectiveness of such incentive programs. Despite rising loan interest rates, participation in CC4A across five air districts (San Joaquin Valley, South Coast, Bay Area, Sacramento, and San Diego) has continued to increase, highlighting the strong demand for Car Purchase Assistance Programs.
The expansion through DCAP will bring these crucial benefits to additional counties by early 2025, ensuring broader statewide coverage. Beyond the initial purchase incentives, these programs offer long-term financial relief by reducing gasoline and maintenance costs for families. Given that transportation is California’s largest source of both air pollution and greenhouse gases, with a disproportionate impact on disadvantaged communities, DCAP is a vital tool in improving public health and achieving environmental justice.
Driving Clean Assistance Program is part of a suite of vehicle-purchase incentive programs supporting California’s commitment to clean air and climate goals. These initiatives are crucial for achieving Governor Newsom’s executive order mandating all new car and passenger truck sales to be zero-emission by 2035. Furthermore, California’s clean vehicle incentives can often be combined with federal programs, maximizing the financial benefits for residents making the switch to cleaner transportation.
