California Air Resources Board (CARB) Launches Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) to Incentivize EV Adoption Among Low-Income Residents
California is taking bold steps towards promoting clean mobility with the introduction of the Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). This new initiative offers incentives of up to $14,000 on electric vehicles (EVs) and is specifically aimed at low-income consumers.
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Under the DCAP, low-income residents of California can benefit from incentives when they purchase or lease a new or used clean vehicle. CARB has confirmed that the program covers pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
To qualify for the DCAP, consumers must have an income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level, currently amounting to $93,600 or lower for a family of four. Additionally, consumers must not have previously availed themselves of any light-duty vehicle purchase incentive program from CARB.
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Low-income Californians classified as having a ‘Disadvantaged Community (DAC)’ status can receive a grant of up to $7,500 for purchasing or leasing a new or used clean vehicle through the DCAP. This grant increases to $12,000 if they choose to scrap their older vehicle. Consumers without DAC status who scrap their older vehicle to purchase or lease a clean vehicle can receive a grant of up to $10,000.
In addition to the purchase or lease grant, the DCAP includes a complimentary $2,000 charging card or a reimbursement of up to $2,000 towards the installation of home charging infrastructure. Furthermore, the program offers consumers low-interest rate loans, capped at an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 8%.
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California leads the way in clean vehicle adoption, accounting for 34% of the country’s clean vehicle sales, according to CARB. In the first quarter of 2024, clean vehicles constituted 23.9% or 102,507 units of new car sales in California, out of a total of 429,225 units. Of these clean vehicles, 85,975 were BEVs, 16,335 were PHEVs, and 197 were FCEVs.
With over 10,000 fast EV chargers in the state, BEV and PHEV users in California enjoy convenience and peace of mind. The state’s cumulative clean vehicle sales are approaching two million units, currently standing at 1,872,429 units, including 1,362,066 BEVs, 492,594 PHEVs, and 17,769 FCEVs. California has also announced plans to ban the sale of all polluting cars and light trucks, allowing only zero-emission vehicles in these categories from 2035.
