California currently has several clean transportation programs each with its own application process. All of these programs are supported by California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities. The pilot will provide coordinated community-based outreach for these programs, as well as a single multilingual application for low-income consumers to upgrade their existing older vehicles, and apply and qualify for zero- and near-zero-emission cars and clean mobility options.
“This is all about making it easier for people to learn about and apply for incentives,” CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols said. “Our goal is to build partnerships and community relationships to help low-income Californians get the cleanest cars as fast as possible.”
The One-Stop-Shop Pilot addresses a core recommendation of the Senate Bill 350 Low-Income Barriers Study to increase low-income residents’ awareness of clean transportation options by expanding education and outreach. It is part of a broader statewide effort to help transition California’s vehicle fleet away from fossil fuels to zero- and near-zero-emission options that are better for public health and our environment.
The pilot is also intended to lay the foundation for a centralized approach to accessing opportunities for clean energy, energy efficiency and water-efficient upgrades for housing serving low-income residents. It is supported by one-time funding of up to $5 million, part of a legal settlement with Volkswagen related to the company’s use of “defeat device” software to bypass emissions controls in its Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche diesel vehicles.
“GRID Alternatives is excited to partner with CARB on this important project,” said GRID Alternatives CEO and Co-Founder Erica Mackie. “CARB’s long-term vision of making it easier to access clean transportation and clean energy equity programs is a major step towards our shared vision of a transition to clean renewable energy that includes everyone.”
The streamlined application is expected to launch in mid-2019.
