Eligible San Diego County residents may receive financial assistance when purchasing an electric vehicle under a new program starting next year.
Aimed for a launch in 2025, the San Diego Association of Governments hopes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help lower-income residents buy more sustainable vehicles with what the agency is calling its Regional Zero-Emission Vehicle Program.
SANDAG presented an update on the program during a Mobility Working Group meeting earlier this month.
The program would operate on a first-come, first serve basis to provide vouchers and discounts for residents whose annual income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. Residents who live at or below 300% of the federal poverty level would be eligible for a higher rebate.
At least one member, however, asked the agency whether it considered electric vehicles’ maintenance and insurance costs. Staff said the incentives are meant to assist with the upfront cost and bring electric vehicles in line with the cost of a gas-powered vehicle.
Staff said they have collected feedback from community organizations and focus groups to develop the program.
SANDAG has not yet secured the funding for the program and did not discuss how much funding the agency estimates it needs to launch. The agency will continue to gather feedback from stakeholders and “identify potential funding pathways,” according to the staff presentation.
This brief came from notes taken by Carlos Moyeda, a San Diego Documenter, at a SANDAG Mobility Working Group meeting this month. The Documenters program trains and pays community members to document what happens at public meetings. Read more about the program here.
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