Apply for a free car with Free Car Foundation
Waiting on Clean Cars 4 All? Apply to our program too — there is no limit on how many programs you apply to. Our application is free, takes about 5 minutes and never asks for your Social Security number or bank details.
Who qualifies for Clean Cars 4 All?
- California resident in a participating air district
- Household income within program limits
- An older vehicle that is registered and running, to retire
How to apply
- Check whether your air district participates on the CARB website
- Confirm your income eligibility
- Apply through your air district's program page
- Retire your old car and use the incentive
To apply to Clean Cars 4 All itself, use its official website: ww2.arb.ca.gov.
What does it really cost?
The incentive is not a free car, but it can cover a large part of the cost of a cleaner vehicle. Read our guide to the real cost of a donated car so you can budget before you are selected.
How long is the wait?
Depends on district funding — programs sometimes pause when funds run out. While you wait, look at car repair assistance for a car you already have, or car grants and low-interest loans.
Is Clean Cars 4 All legit?
An official state program. Apply only through CARB or your air district — never through a third-party site that charges a fee. See our free car scam alerts for the warning signs.
Where Clean Cars 4 All operates
Who this program is best for
Similar programs to apply to
1-800-Charity Cars (Free Charity Cars)
Working poor families, domestic violence survivors, veterans and military families, people with medical needs, disaster victims and transitional shelter residents.
Vehicles for Change
Low-income working families referred by a partner agency, who need a car to keep or get a job.
Good News Garage
Low-income working adults who need reliable transportation to get to work, often through state welfare-to-work programs.
Cars 4 Heroes
Veterans, active-duty military members, first responders and their families — and in some cases civilians in need.