The document summarizes California's Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, which provides grants of $5,000 for battery electric vehicles and $2,500 for plug-in hybrid vehicles to make clean vehicles more affordable for lower-income households. The program saw high demand, with over 3,000 applicants and $1.5 million in funds distributed in the first 6 months. It aims to increase access to affordable, reliable clean transportation options and reduce air pollution. Key challenges include reaching disadvantaged communities where charging access remains a barrier.

2. Defining Equity:
Equity refers to achieving justice for marginalized communities who have been
left behind by ensuring that they have the resources they need to catch up.
– Hana Creger, Greenlining Institute

3. Mobility Equity:
1. Increase access to
affordable, efficient, safe,
reliable mobility options
2. Reduce air pollution
3. Increase access to economic
opportunities
Source: Greenling
Institute

4. Plug-in Vehicles:
$5,000 grant
Hybrid Vehicles:
$2,500 grant
Grants for charging
stations:
For BEVs only
 Affordability
Affordable loans:
8% or below
 Fair Financing
 Access to Charging
Program Design:

5. Participant Experience:

6. Map as of 10/31/18
Successes:
 3,000 applicants in 6 months
 345 grants given*
 Over $1.5mm in funds directly
to lower-income households*
 80% of vehicles electric or
plug-in hybrid*
 Statewide reach
* As of 3/20/19

7. “When I thought about purchasing a new car, I decided to
look into a clean vehicle. Not having a ton of money,
being a student, I’m saving money even if it’s just on
gas.”
Participant Story:
“In order to commute to school, I needed a vehicle
that could provide a lot of range and I felt that a
plug-in hybrid, with its combination of electric and
gas engines, provided the range I needed.”

8. Lessons Learned:
• Demand higher than expected!
• Application
• Design for high touch + high
volume; requires clear first
come first serve processes
• Manage expectations around
inconsistent funding
• State funding
• A privilege and responsibility to
advocate for equity program
alignment and success
Conventional
Hybrids
20%
Plug-in Hybrids
34%
Battery
Electric
46%
Grants by Vehicle Type

9. Challenges:
• Reaching residents of
Disadvantaged Communities
(DACs)
• Access to charging still a
barrier for many
• Dealerships partnerships
• Auto loan education

10. Looking Ahead:
• Secure the next round of
funding with the California
Air Resources Board
• Growing the team
• Become an established
program that
complements other clean
transportation programs
across California

11. Thank you!
cleanvehiclegrants.org
jvalentine@beneficialstate.org