By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent
Most experts agree that electrification of transportation is one of the keys to decarbonizing the grid. And for those who can afford to do so, that means purchasing an electric vehicle and installing a charging station at their home.
But what about those who aren’t able to make that investment or don’t have access to it easily, like low-income communities and some communities of color? Well, the California Air Resources Board is partnering with clean-energy pioneer GRID Alternatives to try to solve that problem.
The clean transportation project, dubbed the One-Stop-Shop Pilot, is expected to streamline and improve access to clean transportation-related incentives to income-qualified consumers around the state.
GRID Alternatives hopes the new project will allow low-income individuals to tap the incentives after a coordinated outreach effort alerts them to what’s available. Then, it will allow them to fill out one form to access all of the potential incentives at once. Right now, California already has clean transportation programs, but each has its own application process. The hope is that GRID Alternatives will be able to spread the word about incentives for people 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 pilot responds to 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.
“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.”
Incentive programs already available for low-income communities, households and individuals include:
· Increased rebates for low-income consumers through the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project;
· Low-cost loans and grants for used and new hybrid and electric vehicles through the Clean Vehicle Assistance Program;
· Projects to scrap and replace your vehicle in Southern California (Replace Your Ride), San Joaquin Valley (Drive Clean in the San Joaquin Replacement Program), and the Bay Area and Sacramento (coming soon); and
· Car-sharing projects in the Los Angeles area (BlueLA) and Sacramento (Our Community CarShare Sacramento), and coming soon to the Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley, and Watsonville.
The streamlined application is expected to launch in mid-2019.