Clean
Transportation
Imperial County has significant opportunities to advance clean electric transportation (EVs and e-mobility solutions) due to its strategic location, proximity to the U.S.–Mexico border, and emerging clean energy infrastructure. The region can benefit from electric vehicle charging networks, including community-led initiatives like those by CCV, which aim to expand access to public chargers and create jobs.
Growth in EV adoption supports improved local air quality and integration with renewable energy sources such as solar and geothermal power. Additionally, clean electric transportation can provide economic development opportunities, including workforce training in EV infrastructure, maintenance, and battery technologies, aligning with broader efforts like the Lithium Valley initiative.
However, challenges remain. Limited EV charging infrastructure, particularly in the Imperial Valley, constrains adoption. High costs of EVs and charging equipment can make access difficult, especially for low-income households. Imperial County’s high temperatures and desert conditions can also impact battery efficiency and reliability, creating technical and maintenance challenges.
Furthermore, transportation electrification requires coordination with the existing power grid, which may face capacity and reliability constraints in certain areas. Ensuring that EV infrastructure and policies are resilient and environmentally responsible is critical to maximizing benefits for Imperial County residents.
For questions or to learn more, please contact us at contact@ccvhealth.org .
Access Clean California
Access Clean California is a statewide initiative led by the California Air Resources Board and administered by GRID Alternatives to help low-income and disadvantaged communities access clean transportation and energy incentives, including EV rebates, clean vehicle grants, transit vouchers, shared mobility, and rooftop solar.
The program combines a centralized benefits finder tool with community-based outreach, technical assistance, and capacity-building grants to guide residents through complex application processes. As an outreach partner in Imperial County, CCV helps residents understand and apply for these programs, ensuring that underserved communities can access these resources that reduce transportation costs and lower air pollution.
Driving Clean Assistance Program
The Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) is a statewide initiative run by the California Air Resources Board that helps low- and moderate-income Californians afford clean vehicles through grants, fair financing, and charging support.
The program offers two pathways—Clean Cars 4 All, which allows participants to replace older high-polluting vehicles, and a financing assistance option for those who do not need to scrap a car—both with incentives that can include vehicle grants, low-interest loans, and up to $2,000 for charging equipment.
In Imperial County, Comité Cívico del Valle serves as a local outreach partner, helping residents understand eligibility, apply for incentives, and access charging support—ensuring that disadvantaged communities can participate in California’s clean transportation transition while reducing air pollution.
Lithium Valley Charger Equity Initiative
Imperial County is considered a “charging desert,” with one of the lowest numbers of EV chargers per capita in California and EV adoption rates far below the state average—creating a cycle in which limited infrastructure discourages vehicle adoption and deters private investment.
To address this gap, Comité Cívico del Valle launched the Lithium Valley Charger Equity Initiative, a community-owned, nonprofit effort to install publicly accessible EV charging stations across the county, supported by funding from the California Energy Commission and philanthropic partners.
The initiative is designed to break the infrastructure barrier, reduce air pollution, create local jobs, and ensure that clean transportation benefits reach low-income and rural communities, rather than being driven solely by private market forces.