The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has announced the launch of a new US$242m (£183m) Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP), which will prioritise low-income Californians who need grants and loan assistance to get a zero-emission vehicle.
With nearly two million zero-emission vehicles sold in California and clean cars representing 25% of total new car sales, the new programme focuses on providing incentives for low-income Californians.
DCAP will largely benefit communities in parts of the state that do not already have assistance programmes, including many tribes and rural communities. Imperial County will be the first to roll out the programme.
DCAP will also offer tailored assistance to priority participants to ensure that the application process does not impose a barrier, however, applicants must be at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.
Purchase assistance of US$7,500 (£5,600) is available to eligible participants who either do not have a vehicle to scrap or wish to use it toward other mobility options such as carsharing.
Eligible applicants also have access to vehicle loans capped at 8% through partnerships with a variety of credit unions.
DCAP expands access to areas of the state that are not currently eligible for air district programmes like Clean Cars 4 All (CC4A).
Started in 2015, CC4A has provided more than US$165m (£125m) to help 20,000 Californians purchase cleaner vehicles, while removing older polluting vehicles from the state’s roadways.
CARB executive officer Dr. Steven Cliff said: “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.
“The new DCAP provides a necessary focus on low-income Californians, bringing zero-emission technology and increased transportation options to underserved communities across the state.”
Achievements and innovations in clean air initiatives will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations are open now! Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector
