California’s Clean Mobility Options (CMO) voucher program is injecting $33 million into a variety of sustainable transportation initiatives, from electric vehicle (EV) carsharing to electric bikes and buses.
The state government says the funding is aimed at addressing transportation challenges and reducing pollution in under-resourced communities.
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With this latest round of funding, the CMO program has now allocated a total of $66 million to mobility projects designed to serve low-income and disadvantaged areas, particularly those affected by poor air quality.
The program mandates that all projects benefiting from its Mobility Project Voucher must provide direct improvements in transportation accessibility and environmental quality for these communities.
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The funding supports a broad range of e-mobility initiatives, including carsharing programs, electric school buses, rideshare services, on-demand shuttle and van networks, as well as bike and scooter-sharing systems.
In total, 17 communities across California will receive financial support, with many being first-time recipients of the voucher. Additionally, $3 million has been earmarked for eligible tribal governments to enhance clean transportation options in Indigenous communities.
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“California is taking a holistic approach to helping communities access equitable, accessible clean transportation options,” said Hannon Rasool, director of the California Energy Commission’s Fuels and Transportation Division. “Community-based transportation equity projects like CMO are meeting community transportation needs as seen and interpreted by those who live there.”
The CMO initiative is part of a broader push to expand clean transportation across the state. In December, the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved a $1.4 billion investment to develop charging infrastructure and hydrogen refueling stations.
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These investments fall under the California Climate Commitment, a $48 billion fund that includes $10 billion dedicated to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and related infrastructure.
As part of this long-term strategy, the state aims to deploy 17,000 new light-duty chargers in the near future, with a goal of reaching 250,000 charging stations over the coming years.
