Community Housing Development Corporation’s (CHDC) Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) is a California Air Resources Board-funded clean air vehicle incentive program to help low- to moderate-income Californians, especially those in underserved, Tribal and disadvantaged communities, access to clean air vehicles. Through DCAP, community members will receive one of two incentive options to purchase clean air vehicles, such as electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids or fuel cell vehicles, and an additional grant for a charging solution for their vehicle. Additionally, community members who qualify for DCAP’s incentive may qualify for fair financing in the form of a loan capped at $45,000 with an interest rate of no more than 8% from CHDC’s carefully curated lender network.
Proposed Incentive Amounts
The table below summarizes the planned incentive amounts for the DCAP launch:
| With a Vehicle to Scrap | Without a Vehicle to Scrap | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Disadvantaged Community (DAC) Status | Non-DAC | DAC | N/A |
| Vehicle Purchase Grant + Charging Incentive* | Up to $10,000 + $2,000 Charging Incentive | Up to $12,000 + $2,000 Charging Incentive | Up to $7,500 + $2,000 Charging Incentive |
| Mobility Option | $7,500 | $7,500 | N/A |
| With a Vehicle to Scrap | ||
|---|---|---|
| Disadvantaged Community (DAC) Status | Non-DAC | DAC |
| Vehicle Purchase Grant + Charging Incentive* | Up to $10,000 + $2,000 Charging Incentive | Up to $12,000 + $2,000 Charging Incentive |
| Mobility Option | $7,500 | $7,500 |
Approved participants can choose a $2,000 prepaid card for public charging or up to $2,000 for home charging infrastructure installation.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible participants must:
- Be a California resident.
- Apply before purchasing a vehicle (incentive is not retroactive).
- Have a household income ≤ 300% of the Federal Poverty Level ($93,600 for a 4-person household, updated annually).
- Not have participated in any CARB light-duty vehicle purchase incentive program (e.g., CVRP, CVAP, regional DCAP, CC4A).
Participants are not required to have a vehicle to scrap and can only apply for one incentive per household for the lifetime of the program.
How It’s Administered
The Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) administers DCAP on behalf of the California Air Resources Board. CHDC provides outreach support to local Community-Based Organizations, processes applications, and educates participants on advanced technology vehicles.
About the Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC)
Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) is a community-based organization in North Richmond, California founded in 1990. Our mission is to create and sustain vibrant communities for low to moderate income individuals, seniors, and families by providing high-quality affordable housing, economic development and supportive services.
To learn more about CHDC, please visit: communityhdc.org
Requirements for Selected Participants
Participants must:
- Engage in program education on financial preparations and clean vehicle technology.
- Maintain ownership of the new vehicle in California for at least 30 months.
- Complete program surveys.
- Contribute at least $1,000 towards the clean vehicle purchase or lease if not scrapping a vehicle and not financing through the program.
Criteria for Eligible Vehicles
Retired (Scrapped) Vehicles:
- Gasoline or diesel-powered light- or medium-duty vehicle under 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.
- Must pass a functionality test.
- Model year 2009 or older.
- Title issued to the registered owner.
Replacement Vehicles:
- Purchased or leased in California through an authorized dealership.
- New or used with a maximum purchase price cap of $45,000 (excluding taxes and fees).
- New vehicles must be on CARB’s list of eligible vehicles.
- Used vehicles must be eight calendar years or newer with an odometer reading ≤ 80,000 miles.
How to Apply
There is no cost to apply, and CHDC is the sole administrator for DCAP.
Program Benefits
The tiered incentive structure provides maximum incentives to the lowest income participants purchasing or leasing the cleanest technology vehicles. This reduces health risks, transportation costs, and improves mobility and access to clean transportation for priority populations.
Announcements and Updates
Subscribe to receive announcements and updates about upcoming activities on the Driving Clean Assistance Program website.
Funding Sources
The program is funded by the General Fund and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
