Last verified 2026-05-17. DCAP is open statewide. The "Clean Cars 4 All" pathway (you scrap an old gas car) is accepting applications. The "Financing Assistance" pathway is closed to Tier 2 and Tier 3 applicants as of 2026 due to high demand. [Source: drivingcleanca.org (accessed 2026-05-17)]
What this is
The Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) is a California program that helps low-income residents buy or lease an electric vehicle (EV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), or fuel-cell vehicle. It is run by Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) for the California Air Resources Board (CARB). [Source: ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/driving-clean-assistance-program/about (accessed 2026-05-17)]
How much you can get
The amount depends on which pathway you use and where you live.
Clean Cars 4 All (you scrap an old, running gas car):
- Up to $12,000 if you live in a Disadvantaged Community (DAC)
- Up to $10,000 if you do not live in a DAC
- Plus $2,000 for home Level 2 charger + install, OR a $2,000 prepaid public-charging card
- Or instead: a $7,500 Clean Mobility option (transit passes, bike share, e-bike)
Financing Assistance (no car to scrap):
- Up to $7,500 toward the vehicle
- Plus the same $2,000 charging incentive
- Loan APR is capped at 8%
- Currently closed for Tier 2 and Tier 3 applicants. Check the site for openings.
One incentive per household, lifetime.
[Source: drivingcleanca.org/about-us/dcap-eligibility (accessed 2026-05-17)]
Who qualifies
- 18 or older
- California resident (AB60 driver licenses and ITIN tax IDs are accepted)
- Household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. For a family of four that is roughly $93,600–$99,000 in 2026 (updated each year by household size).
- You have not received money from another CARB light-duty vehicle incentive program before (for example, Clean Vehicle Rebate, Clean Cars for All from an air district)
- You apply before you buy or lease — DCAP is not retroactive
[Source: drivingcleanca.org/about-us/dcap-eligibility (accessed 2026-05-17)]
What car you can get
- New or used EV, PHEV, or fuel-cell vehicle on CARB's eligible list
- Sale price cap: $45,000 (before tax and fees)
- Used vehicles: model year 2017 or newer, 75,000 miles or fewer
- Must be bought through an authorized dealer in the DCAP network
How to apply
- Go to drivingcleanca.org and open the FAQ + eligibility pages first.
- Start the application at chdc.my.site.com/dcap/s/application (linked from the URL field above).
- Call 1-833-202-DCAP (3227) if anything is unclear. Free help.
- After you are approved, you pick a vehicle from a participating dealer. The incentive is applied at the dealer — you do not pay it up front and wait for a check.
Common pitfalls
- Do not buy the car first. If you sign paperwork before DCAP approves you, you lose the incentive.
- Tier 2 / Tier 3 Financing Assistance is currently closed. If you do not have a gas car to scrap and you are not Tier 1, the pathway is on pause — call DCAP to ask when it reopens.
- The $45,000 price cap rules out most new Teslas, F-150 Lightnings, etc. It works best for used EVs (Bolt, Leaf, Niro EV, Kona EV, used Model 3) and lower-priced new EVs.
- One incentive per household, for life. If a spouse already used CVRP or a similar CARB program, you are not eligible.
Where to get help
- Phone: 1-833-202-DCAP (3227)
- Website + FAQ: drivingcleanca.org
- Program operator: Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC)
- Funder: California Air Resources Board (CARB)
Sources
- DCAP main site: drivingcleanca.org (accessed 2026-05-17)
- DCAP eligibility: drivingcleanca.org/about-us/dcap-eligibility (accessed 2026-05-17)
- CARB program page: ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/driving-clean-assistance-program/about (accessed 2026-05-17)