Financing Assistance for Lower-Income Consumers

What does it fund?

Low-interest loans and vehicle price buy-downs for lower-income consumers to purchase new or used battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles and grants for charging installation or charge cards plus a portable charger.

Who is eligible for funds?

Lower-income residents with income at or below 300 percent Federal Poverty Level. Check your eligibility on the program website.

Are there recent policy changes?

Since the first come, first serve nature of this program has caused the program to close quickly, staff is redesigning the program to operate using a needs-based approach for low-income consumers. Upon budget approval CARB will launch the solicitation and aims to reopen the program by early 2023.

How does this program provide benefits to priority populations?

Collaboration with community-based organizations and targeted outreach to priority populations engages low-income residents to participate in the program. Participants benefit financially through lower interest costs and price buy-downs and have increased access to clean vehicle ownership and more reliable mobility.

How do I access funds?

When the program is open, applicants can apply for low-interest loans and buy-downs at cleanvehiclegrants.org. Bay Area residents apply at communityhdc.org/dcap/.

Cumulative Outcomes as of November 2022

$133 million allocated
$51.8 million encumbered
$17 million benefitting priority populations*
5,000 vehicles implemented
35,300 MTCO₂e GHG reductions
2.68 tons of NOₓ reductions
2.31 tons of PM reductions
0.235 tons of ROG/HC reductions

*Values based on the portion of the projects funded through California Climate Investments.

Funding Sources

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
Volkswagen Settlement Fund

More about this program

Last updated: Feb 2023