As we begin a new year, many of us are thinking about fresh starts, setting financial goals, building stability, and making choices that support our health and well-being. At DCAP, clean transportation is about more than vehicles; it’s about helping participants move forward with confidence and reduce financial stress.

For many, receiving a dependable clean-air vehicle marks a turning point, supporting consistent employment, access to education and healthcare, and fewer unexpected expenses. By replacing older, high-cost vehicles and pairing incentives with required financial counseling, DCAP helps participants budget responsibly, understand financing, and choose a vehicle they can comfortably afford—creating lasting opportunities and long-term financial health that extend far beyond the keys.

ZAP Bay Area

Now Open!

The ZAP program is expanding in the Bay Area, helping more drivers access clean-air vehicles and incentives.

More details are below.

CHDC Recognized Holidays 

Our offices will be closed:

• Monday, January 19th, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• Monday, February 16th, President’s Day.

Stories Worth Reading

Go deeper with this month’s featured interviews, participant stories, community partnerships, and Ride event & Drive highlights.

Read the full articles on our website

Can you share a recent story or example of how Clean Cars 4 All (CC4A) or DCAP made a difference for a resident or family in your district?

HEC staff recently assisted a Rocklin resident who was trying to get back onto his feet after a tough couple of years. This individual struggled with but overcame hurdles pertaining to housing, mental health, and food security, among other issues. They felt that securing reliable transportation was the next step that would catapult them into the next phase of their life. Staff met with and assisted this individual at Rocklin Public Library in November, and they submitted their application within 45 minutes. The resident expressed gratitude and stated that being able to secure reliable transportation would improve their quality of life by being able to get to work faster, shop for nutritious foods, and get from point A to point B safely.

What has your district learned about what residents need most when seeking cleaner transportation options?

We’ve learned that residents need various means of financial support. Apart from the down payment assistance, residents inquire about the interest rate and insurance costs of a potential electric or hybrid vehicle as well as accessible charging stations with affordable electricity rates. We continue to point qualified/successful applicants to DCAP-affiliated car dealerships and credit unions across the region and ease any concerns about financing a vehicle, as well as review the “Car Shopping” section of DCAP’s website so that residents can make the best decision for themselves regarding this program.

What goals or priorities are your district focusing on in the new year to help advance cleaner transportation and community health?

PCAPCD and HEC have promoted the DCAP grant at high volume community events, at local clinics, at public county offices, and at free food distribution sites. We have also recently found that social media has been a successful means of promoting the program. We recently launched a series of targeted DCAP social media posts across Facebook and Instagram in English, Spanish, and Russian. Most residents we’ve helped apply mentioned that they learned about the DCAP program through social media although we have had a heavy presence at outreach events, food distributions, promotion through partners, and by word of mouth. Considering this is a working formula, we’ll continue to promote DCAP through our social media channels beyond the new year as well as continue outreaching at community events and through partners. We have also been contacting dealerships who collaborate with the DCAP program to directly promote DCAP to their qualified customers.

Comite Civico Del Valle

Ride & Drive Partner Reflections

To better understand the impact of Ride & Drive events, we asked Comite Civico Del Valle (CCV) partners to reflect on their experiences:

How did the R&D events benefit your community, organization, or attendees?

The Ride & Drive event successfully benefited the community with direct experience driving zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). We partnered with local dealerships to openly address common myths and misinformation, offering transparent information about the benefits of ZEVs and what to expect during the purchasing process.

Additionally, CCV used this event to increase community awareness and build trust, motivating attendees to learn more and participate in the Driving Clean Assistance Program. Another benefit was the timing of the Ride & Drive event, which took place during a period of extreme heat. While these conditions are something our community is unfortunately accustomed to and resilient in navigating, the summer months in Imperial Valley are typically very quiet for community events.

Comité Cívico del Valle was able to adapt by hosting the Ride & Drive as an indoor, air-conditioned event, creating a safe and welcoming space for participants. During the summer, many community members tend to stay home to avoid exposure to extreme heat; however, the trusted relationships CCV has built within the community helped drive strong participation and enthusiasm. Attendees were eager to learn more about clean transportation, particularly individuals from underserved communities who previously felt these incentives were not meant for them.

Is there a moment, interaction, or outcome from the event that stood out to you?

One moment that stood out was hearing from a guest speaker who shared his

experience of receiving an electric vehicle through the incentive program. He was the

first person in Imperial Valley to successfully complete the process and receive a vehicle

using the full incentive, which made his story especially powerful. He spoke about his

belief in clean transportation and expressed gratitude for connecting with Comité Cívico

del Valle, noting that access to resources, strong partnerships, and on-the-ground

community education made this opportunity possible.

Another memorable interaction was with an elderly community member who received

an incentive to purchase an electric bicycle. She brought her e-bike to the event and

proudly shared her experience with others, helping demonstrate that these incentives

are real and attainable. Seeing community members share their success stories firsthand

reinforced the impact of our work and inspired others to see clean transportation as an

accessible option.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants for DCAP must be California residents, and income qualified, which means having an income at, or below, 300% Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

Check Eligibility

Transportation Resources

Did you know? The DCAP Dealership List is updated regularly.

Check it out here for the most up-to-date partner dealership locations across California.

Dealerships

You Can Use

Know a dealership that should join our program? Refer to them today!

Visit our DCAP Dealerships or email dealership@drivingcleanca.org.

Dealerships must be approved before completing participants' purchase or lease.  

Due to an extraordinary response and high demand, DCAP’s Financing Assistance pathway is now closed to applicants that fall under tiers 2 and 3. DCAP’s scrap and replace option, Clean Cars 4 All, is still open and accepting applications.

Learn More

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The 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-income Californians, especially those in underserved, Tribal and disadvantaged communities, access clean-air vehicles. 

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