California has rolled out a new initiative, the Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP), offering incentives up to $14,000 to encourage low-income consumers to adopt electric vehicles (EVs). The program, launched by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), aims to promote clean mobility and reduce emissions across the state.
Under DCAP, eligible residents can receive grants when purchasing or leasing new or used electric, plug-in hybrid, or hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. To qualify, individuals must have an income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level, currently set at $93,600 annually for a family of four. Additionally, they must not have previously utilized CARB's vehicle purchase incentives.
Participants in disadvantaged communities (DACs) can receive grants up to $7,500, which increases to $12,000 if they scrap an older vehicle. Non-DAC residents who scrap their vehicles are eligible for grants up to $10,000. Moreover, DCAP includes a $2,000 charging card or reimbursement for home charging installation, along with low-interest rate loans capped at 8% APR.
California, a leader in clean vehicle adoption, accounted for 34% of the nation's clean vehicle sales in recent years. The state saw clean vehicles make up 23.9% of its new car sales in early 2024, with BEVs, PHEVs, and FCEVs contributing significantly to this growth.
With over 10,000 fast EV chargers statewide, California aims to enhance convenience for EV users, who currently benefit from a cumulative sales figure nearing two million clean vehicles. The state has committed to banning the sale of polluting cars and light trucks by 2035, shifting exclusively to zero-emission vehicles in these categories.
