“It’s Opened So Many Doors” – Justin E.

For Justin, a self-employed single dad in Southern California, switching to an electric vehicle wasn’t just about going green—it was about getting back on his feet.

“I’ve been raising two daughters full-time for over a decade,” Justin shares. “Money’s always been tight, and I’ve had to be really smart with every dollar.”

A few years back, Justin bought a used 2011 Nissan Leaf. "Those only have about 60 miles of usable range, but I really liked having an electric car. It was great for dropping my kids off at school and around town, so I knew if I had the opportunity to be able to afford one that actually had significant range, that would be great."

That’s when he saw a DCAP ad pop up on Facebook.

“I’d been keeping an eye out for used EVs with more range, but they were still too expensive—until DCAP came along. With the grant, plus the federal EV credit, I was finally able to afford a 2020 Chevy Bolt.”

That one decision changed a lot. “Now I can take delivery jobs to supplement my income. That car helps me make money. And I even passed down the Leaf to my daughter—now it’s her school car.”

Between the fuel savings (around $200/month) and the flexibility that comes with having a reliable car, the shift has been huge. “It’s like having your gas tank filled every night while you sleep. I charge it at home, and I even find free chargers while I’m out—Target, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods... it adds up.”

Plus, "it's always a nice caveat, to hopefully be saving the planet for my children to grow up and then their children and their children, children's children."

"They depend on me, and now I have a car I can count on."

– Carol B.

Carol B., is a 62-year-old living on a fixed income in rural Closser County. Life was becoming increasingly difficult without reliable transportation. Her old truck was constantly breaking down, and eventually, it failed its smog test. “I spent thousands of dollars trying to fix it,” she says. “When it finally gave out, I didn’t know what I was going to do.”

That’s when Carol discovered DCAP. “I applied, and the support I got from Teresa, my counselor, was incredible. She was kind, responsive, and really helped move the process along—especially after my truck completely died. I had to get a rental car just to get around.”

Thanks to DCAP, Carol was able to purchase a 2022 Nissan Leaf SV. “It’s my first EV, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting to love it this much,” she laughs. “But everything about it is easy. I don’t have to deal with gas, oil changes, or smog checks. It just works—and it works every day.”

Living in a remote area, reliability means everything to Carol. “Without a vehicle, you can’t do anything out here. This car lets me get groceries, go to doctor appointments, and help out my elderly neighbors.”

But her impact goes even further. “I care for a lot of animals. Just this morning, I fed 56 horses,” she shares. “They depend on me, and now I have a car I can count on. That matters.”

Beyond the practical benefits, Carol is also motivated by the environmental impact. “I grew up here, and the air quality just isn’t what it used to be. It’s hotter, smoggier, and hard on our animals. I didn’t want to contribute to that anymore.”

When asked if she’d recommend DCAP to others, she doesn’t hesitate: “It’s a great program. For the people. For the planet. For anyone who needs help and thinks an EV isn’t possible—it is.”

 "It really helped, especially as someone just starting my career.”

– Kombi’s S.

When Kombi S. graduated high school in 2019, she didn't expect her first car to give out so soon. "It just was done," she says. "But I was about to go to college, and then COVID hit, so I figured, who needs a car? I was at home, working remotely." For a few years, not owning a car wasn't a problem. But then, the mandate to return to the office was in effect.

"I live on the outskirts of the county, and I work in the city—it's a long drive. Once I had to go in multiple days a week, I started borrowing cars from family. But I didn't want them to go without a car just so I could get to work. It wasn't sustainable."

That's when she found the Drive Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) and applied. By March 2025, she was approved for the grant and bought a 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. "I had been saving, knowing I'd eventually need a car. With the DCAP grant and the tax incentive at purchase, I only paid around $10,000 out of pocket."

For Kombi, going electric wasn't just about convenience—it was about alignment with her values. "I knew I wanted an electric car. My grandpa installed solar panels at our house, and I've always cared about lowering emissions. It just made sense."

She also found the DCAP education and support helpful as a first-time EV owner. "They walk you through what to expect financially, what costs come with a clean-air vehicle. It really helped, especially as someone just starting my career."

One unexpected perk? Peace of mind and personal safety. "I hate going to gas stations, especially at night. Now I just plug in when I get home. It's one less thing to worry about." Even the quiet ride has made an impact. "I love how quiet my car is. I was in the backseat during a road trip, and I could hear everything being said in the front without anyone yelling. That's never happened in a gas car."

For Kombi, this wasn't just about getting a car—it was about building a future. "Especially for young adults like me, just starting out, programs like DCAP make it possible to get a reliable car and help the environment at the same time. Why wouldn't you take that first step?"