You can find comprehensive program information in the DCAP Consumer Guide and Terms & Conditions:
Driving Clean Assistance Program | Empowering Communities
The Driving Clean Assistance Program DCAP
The Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) offers two pathways to help you get into a clean air vehicle. Both pathways offer down-payment assistance through upfront grants paid directly to dealerships and do not need to be paid back. DCAP also provides financial coaching, counseling, and access to fair financing options.
Program Guides & Terms
Program Eligibility
Who is eligible?
To be program eligible, participants must:
- Be 18 years or older.
- Be a California resident (community members with AB60 and ITIN qualify).
- Apply before purchasing or leasing a vehicle (incentive is not retroactive).
- Have a household income less than or equal to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (updated annually).
- Not have participated in any CARB light-duty vehicle purchase incentive program (e.g., Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP), Clean Vehicle Assistance Program (CVAP), regional Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP), Clean Cars 4 All (CC4A)).
Participants can only receive one (1) incentive per household for the lifetime of the program.
Income Limits (Example)
| Household Size | Combined Income Must Be Less Than |
|---|---|
| 1 | $46,950 |
| 2 | $63,450 |
| 3 | $79,950 |
| 4 | $96,450 |
| 5 | $112,950 |
| 6 | $129,450 |
| 7 | $145,950 |
*Subject to change every year.
DCAP Incentive Amounts
| Clean Cars 4 All (scrap and replace vehicle) | Financing Assistance (without scrap and replace) |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Purchase Incentive (Non-DAC) Up to $10,000 + $2,000 charge card or $7,500 mobility option Vehicle Purchase Incentive (DAC) Up to $12,000 + $2,000 charge card or $7,500 mobility option | Up to $7,500 + $2,000 charging incentive |
| Clean Mobility Option $7,500 | N/A |
Incentive amounts and eligibility are subject to change. DAC status is determined by DCAP program rules.
If You Have a Vehicle to Scrap
Clean Cars 4 All (CC4A – Scrap and Replace): Program eligible and program qualified participants can receive up to $10,000 to purchase or lease a new or used battery electric vehicle (BEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). Income-qualified participants who reside in designated Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) may be eligible for up to $12,000.
*Participants residing in an air district with a CC4A program may not be eligible to scrap and replace with DCAP, but can still go through the financing assistance pathway.
Criteria for Eligible Vehicles
Retire (Scrap) Vehicles:
- Gasoline or diesel-powered light- or medium-duty vehicles under 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.
- Must pass a functionality test.
- Model year 2010 or older.
- Vehicle title must be issued under the applicant’s name.
- Two years proof of operation required.
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 the California Air Resources Board (CARB) list of eligible vehicles.
- Used vehicles must be eight (8) calendar years or newer with 75,000 or less original miles. (The model year is calculated by subtracting 7 from the current calendar year of the transaction.)
If You Do Not Have a Vehicle to Scrap
Financing Assistance (FA): DCAP may provide program eligible and program qualified community members with up to $7,500 to purchase or lease a new or used BEV, PHEV, or FCEV. Community members are not required to scrap a gas vehicle to take advantage of Financing Assistance.
Fair Financing
Through a statewide network of trusted credit union partners, DCAP may offer qualified participants (including participants with challenged or no credit) financing of up to $45,000 at an interest rate of less than 8% APR, subject to program rules and lender approval.
To qualify for fair financing, participants must:
- Qualify for DCAP’s Clean Cars 4 All or Financing Assistance incentives.
- Participate in financial education classes.
- Agree to financial counseling and analysis with a DCAP Loan/Credit Counselor to determine if the participant’s financial situation can comfortably sustain a vehicle loan.
Financing terms are determined by the lender and program requirements; not all applicants will qualify.
Charging Incentives
Participants approved for DCAP incentives can choose one (1) of two (2) charging incentives:
- $2,000 towards the purchase and installation of Level 2 home charging equipment (professional installations may be available through program partners).
- A $2,000 prepaid charge card to pay for public charging.
Please note: Depending on your electrical panel, upgrades may be required before the charger can be installed. Any additional costs for panel upgrades may be the participant’s responsibility.
Source: Driving Clean Assistance Program