California has launched a groundbreaking $242 million initiative, the Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP), specifically designed to support low-income residents in transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. This program prioritizes Californians who need financial aid, offering grants and loan assistance to access cleaner transportation options.
With California leading the nation in zero-emission vehicle adoption – nearly 2 million already on the roads and 25% of new car sales being clean vehicles – DCAP addresses a crucial equity gap. It ensures that the benefits of clean transportation are accessible to all Californians, not just those in higher income brackets. This initiative is particularly focused on assisting communities that have been historically underserved by similar programs, including tribal and rural communities. Imperial County is set to be the first region to implement DCAP.
The program offers substantial incentives to encourage the adoption of zero-emission vehicles. Eligible participants who scrap their older, more polluting vehicles can receive grants up to $12,000. This significant sum can be used towards the purchase or lease of a new or used zero-emission vehicle. Furthermore, DCAP provides an additional $2,000 to help with electric vehicle charging costs, easing the transition to EV ownership. The assistance extends beyond just cars, covering zero-emission motorcycles and e-bikes as well. To make vehicle ownership even more attainable, DCAP also facilitates access to low-interest loans through partnerships with various credit unions.
Dr. Steven Cliff, Executive Officer of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), emphasized the program’s importance: “California is committed to achieving carbon neutrality and a future with clean air. However, these ambitious goals are unattainable if clean transportation remains financially out of reach for many Californians. The Driving Clean Assistance Program directly addresses this challenge by focusing on low-income communities, bringing zero-emission technology and expanded transportation choices to areas that need them most.”
Recognizing the potential barriers in accessing such programs, DCAP is designed to offer tailored assistance to priority applicants. This ensures the application process is user-friendly and does not deter eligible individuals from participating. Eligibility is determined by income level, with applicants needing to be at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. For those who do not have an older vehicle to scrap, or prefer to use it for other mobility solutions like carsharing, DCAP still offers a purchase assistance grant of $7,500. Moreover, eligible applicants benefit from access to vehicle loans capped at an 8% interest rate, thanks to collaborations with numerous credit unions.
DCAP significantly broadens the reach of clean vehicle incentives, extending support to regions not currently covered by air district programs like Clean Cars 4 All (CC4A). CC4A, established in 2015, has been instrumental in providing over $165 million to assist 20,000 Californians in acquiring cleaner vehicles while simultaneously removing older, polluting vehicles from California roads. These older vehicles are retired and replaced with cleaner alternatives, including new and used zero-emission, plug-in hybrid, or hybrid vehicles. The impact of CC4A is notable, with the average scrapped vehicle being around 25 years old and achieving only 22 miles per gallon fuel economy, whereas the average replacement vehicle boasts an equivalent fuel economy of 80 mpg.
Despite rising loan interest rates, participation in CC4A programs administered by five of the state’s air districts – San Joaquin Valley, South Coast, Bay Area, Sacramento, and San Diego – continues to grow, highlighting the ongoing demand for such incentives.
DCAP is set to expand further, launching in additional counties not currently served by CC4A programs through early 2025.
Beyond the initial purchase incentives, these programs offer long-term financial relief to families by significantly reducing gasoline and vehicle maintenance costs.
The transportation sector remains California’s largest contributor to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, disproportionately impacting disadvantaged communities already burdened by poor air quality. DCAP is a vital component of a broader strategy to encourage the shift to clean vehicles. These incentives are crucial in supporting California’s ambitious air quality and climate objectives, as well as Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order mandating all new car and passenger truck sales in California to be zero-emission by 2035. Importantly, state clean vehicle incentives can often be combined with federal programs, further amplifying the financial benefits for participants.
For more comprehensive information about the program, please visit Driving Clean Assistance Program.
