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Summer is here, making it the perfect time to explore cleaner, more affordable transportation options. The Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) helps income-qualified Californians retire older, higher-polluting vehicles and transition to cleaner transportation solutions with financial assistance and personalized support every step of the way. Whether you're looking to reduce fuel costs, improve your daily commute, or lower emissions in your community, DCAP can help make the switch easier and more accessible.
See if you qualify and take the next step toward cleaner driving this summer.
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Partnerships
Power Progress
DCAP is proud to partner with the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FCCC).
Through outreach efforts and community events, FCCC helps residents learn more about DCAP’s clean air vehicle incentives and participate in hands-on Ride & Drive experiences in their local communities.
Learn More Below
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Juneteenth Observed Friday, June 19th
DCAP recognizes Juneteenth honoring the end of slavery in the United States and celebrating Black history, resilience, and progress.
This day reminds us that environmental justice and clean transportation access are part of building healthier, more equitable communities for all.
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Behind the Wheel
with DCAP
Meet one of our Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) participants who made the switch to a clean air vehicle.
Through DCAP support, participants were able to get behind the wheel of a more affordable, cleaner car—helping reduce emissions while saving on fuel and maintenance.
Read Story Below
| | Q1 2026: Driving Impact Across California | | |
In the first quarter of 2026, DCAP continued helping income-qualified households access cleaner transportation, reduce transportation costs, and move toward long-term clean air vehicle ownership.
Together, these numbers represent more Californians gaining access to cleaner, more affordable transportation solutions.
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959 clean vehicle grants delivered in one quarter
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68% of participants served were Tier 1 households
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12,496 new applications received in Q1
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5,650 community members reached 220 outreach events
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DCAP now partners with dealerships covering 30% statewide
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71% of funded vehicles were fully electric (BEVs)
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76% of vehicles purchased were used EVs
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81% of participants received charging support
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166 new dealership applications submitted in Q1
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ZAP launched statewide to support long-term EV ownership
| | Behind the Wheel: A DCAP Success Story | |
"If I get dizzy or lose my balance, I need something that's easy to handle and has good safety features" – Wesley A.
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Wesley's old 2000 minivan had become a hassle. "The windows don't go down, except for the driver's window, and only if we had to take the side panel off. I had to open the door if I went through a drive-thru," he recalled with a laugh. Now, with his new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle through DCAP, things are much different. "It's a lot easier to drive. I have a neurological disorder that makes using my arms and hands painful sometimes, which affects my balance, making driving a dependable and stable vehicle essential. "If I get dizzy or lose my balance, I need something that's easy to handle and has good safety features," he explains.
Receiving the new car was an emotional experience. "It was the very first car I ever got that was genuinely new… As I was driving home, the excitement started to build up a lot. It's the very first new car I've ever had… going from a 2000 car to something that can tell when your lane is shifting… It's insane."
For him, the benefits go beyond the financial savings. "Aside from getting a potentially free car all the newer cars are just so much safer, more airbags, better crash test ratings. You might want to get a newer car just for the safety options." Wesley's story is a testament to how DCAP can make cleaner, safer, and more reliable transportation accessible.
READ WESLEY'S FULL STORY
| | | DCAP Clean Air Vehicle Ride-Along Experience | |
CHDC Awareness Day & DCAP Clean Air Vehicle Ride-Along
During the Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) Community Awareness Day, the Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) hosted a Clean Air Vehicle Ride-Along, giving community members the opportunity to get behind the wheel of clean air vehicles and learn about incentives that can make cleaner transportation more affordable.
Events like these help make clean transportation more accessible by giving residents a chance to explore their options, ask questions, and learn about resources that can make the transition to a clean air vehicle more affordable.
We appreciate our community partners, dealerships, and all who stopped by to make this event a success. We look forward to seeing you at future DCAP events!
Photo above: Shasa F., DCAP paid out participant.
| | Community Impact Partnership | |
FCCC Hosts Two Earth Day Ride & Drive Events
In celebration of Earth Day, our partner FCCC hosted two clean air vehicle Ride & Drive events, bringing hands-on electric vehicle experiences to communities at Mt. San Antonio College and College of the Redwoods. Attendees had the opportunity to test-drive clean air vehicles, learn about available clean transportation incentives, and connect with resources that can help make vehicle electrification more affordable.
The events helped increase awareness of clean transportation options while providing community members with a firsthand look at the benefits of driving electric. Through these Earth Day activations, FCCC and DCAP engaged residents answered questions about vehicle ownership and connected potential applicants with financial assistance information designed to support the transition to cleaner transportation.
Photos courtesy of FCCC.
| | | | Eligibility and Requirements | | |
Have questions about eligibility or how to apply?
Click below to explore answers to frequently asked questions about the Driving Clean Assistance Program. Learn more about eligibility requirements, clean vehicle options, financing details, and the application process—all in one place to help you get started with confidence.
| | | Follow us on social media to stay updated! | | |
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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For questions or assistance, please visit our website and use the Contact Us form.
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