Zero-emissions Access Program grant

This grant is supported by state funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.

The goal of the ZAP grant is to expand access to clean-fuel transportation options by supporting the implementation of zero-emission carshare programs in underserved communities where access to public transportation is less available (RCW 47.04.355).

New Zero-emissions Access Program Grant Guidebook

 Zero-emissions Access Program Grant Guidebook (PDF 468KB)

Definitions

Low- to moderate-income communities – Communities where household income does not exceed 80 percent of the median family income for the area, with adjustments made for regions with unusually high or low incomes or housing costs (Section 3(b)(2)(A) of the United States Housing Act of 1937).

Underserved communities – Populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, who have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life. Underserved communities are embodied in the definition of equity in Presidential Executive Order No. 13985, Sec. 2, 2021.

Carshare – A membership-based service that provides access to shared vehicles for shorter-term use (FTA Shared Mobility Definitions, Carsharing Association).

Carshare members experience the benefits of private vehicle use without the cost of ownership. Carshare companies or nonprofits typically include services such as membership screening and enrollment, car reservation systems, payment processing, driver insurance coverage, customer support, and car cleaning and maintenance.

Available funding

The Legislature funded $3,049,953 for the 2025-2027 biennium to support this program.

Eligible applicants

The ZAP grant is open to nonprofit organizations or local governments in Washington state. Local governments include cities, counties, housing authorities, ports, and public transit agencies.

Applicants must have a demonstrated history of implementing or managing clean-fuel transportation and shared mobility pilot programs. Examples of experience may include implementing:

• Transportation services for shared users (e.g., carshare or rideshare programs).
• Micromobility programs for shared users (e.g., bike sharing).
• Free or reduced-fare transportation programs.
• Subcontracts with agencies that have provided clean-fuel transportation and shared mobility pilot programs for the community.
• Installation of electric vehicle infrastructure for community use.

This is not a comprehensive list. Contact us if you have questions about whether your organization's experience qualifies.

Eligible projects

Projects and related costs eligible for funding under the ZAP grant may include:

• Third-party contracts, leases, or purchases of zero-emission vehicles and charging equipment.
• Construction or installation of zero-emission charging infrastructure specifically for carshare use.
• Operational costs to develop, implement, and manage a zero-emission carshare program.

Carshare vehicles must be equipped, licensed, and insured for use on public roads, including highways, without requiring a special driver's license classification or endorsement.

WSDOT strongly encourages applicants to design projects that maximize the accessibility of carshare vehicles and program materials.

Applicants can prioritize access by:

• Selecting vehicles that meet the mobility and transportation needs of the community.
• Stationing vehicles in locations that promote safety and accessibility.
• Translating program materials and signage into languages spoken in the community to remove barriers to participation.
• Developing outreach and training activities tailored to the specific needs of the community.
• Creating inclusive participation pathways for community members who do not have bank accounts, have limited access to technology, or face other barriers to using the carshare service.

All property and assets purchased with ZAP grant funds must be used exclusively for the carshare program. 

If an asset must be disposed of before the end of its minimum useful life, the following conditions apply:

• Pre-approval from WSDOT is required.
• WSDOT will receive the proportional grant-funded share of the asset's fair market value at the time of disposal.

These conditions ensure proper stewardship of public funds and compliance with grant requirements. 

Match requirements

Applicants to the ZAP grant must provide matching funds as direct contributions or gifts in kind equal to at least 10 percent of the total project cost. Match must directly benefit and be specifically identifiable to the project.

Any funding source may be used for match, except other competitive state public transportation grants.

In-kind contributions are non-cash goods or services provided by third parties to an organization.  These contributions may be in the form of real property, equipment, supplies, and services.

Examples of in-kind contributions include free or reduced-cost parking or facilities, volunteer administrative work, and donated technology. The value of donated goods or services must be based on the fair market price at the time of the donation.

Applicants proposing in-kind contributions must submit documentation of an in-kind valuation proposal with their application. A supplemental in-kind match valuation form is included in the application materials to assist in developing and documenting in-kind contributions.

Evaluation criteria

The selection committee includes both internal and external reviewers who are subject matter experts in clean-fuel transportation, shared mobility programs, and environmental justice. The committee evaluates applications based on the following five categories:

• Community benefit
• Project implementation
• Community coordination
• Project team experience
• Long-term planning

Planning to apply

WSDOT strongly encourages all interested applicants to begin planning early, well before the application opens.

Create a zero-emission carshare program that fits the needs of your community

Every community has unique transportation needs. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. The ZAP grant gives applicants the flexibility to propose projects tailored to the specific needs of the communities they serve. To help shape the ZAP program, applicants may consider researching existing zero-emission carshare initiatives in underserved communities nationwide to gather ideas and identify best practices.

In 2018, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency published Facilitating Low-Income Utilization of Electric Vehicles: A Feasibility Study. The results and recommendations of the study helped inform the development of the ZAP grant.

Develop strategic partnerships to design, implement, and manage your project

Depending on the project scope, successful implementation may require collaboration with a range of partners, including utilities, electricians, electric-vehicle-supply equipment providers, third-party carshare operators, car dealerships, contractors, insurance companies, and others.

Building strong partnerships with equity-focused, community-based organizations especially critical. Partners will help support the engagement and education of your ZAP-funded carshare program.

Work with key partners to identify and address logistical challenges

Establishing key partnerships early in the planning process allows to proactively identify and address risks to your project.

For example, if it’s important to own or lease the zero-emission vehicles and operate the carshare in-house, you'll need to shop for car insurance. Insurance providers may be reluctant to provide coverage if your organization doesn’t have an existing fleet of vehicles, which may require exploring alternative solutions.

Additionally, completing a site assessment early in the planning stage may reveal electrical upgrades, site modifications, or security enhancements that you can factor into your project timeline and budget.

Community meetings or surveys can also give you valuable feedback on community interest in a zero-emission carshare program, as well as highlight areas where outreach, education, and training are needed.

Awards

The ZAP grant awards table lists 18 projects awarded $3,049,953 for the 2025-2027 biennium.

Sign up for grant updates

To stay informed about WSDOT public transportation grants, you can register for updates by selecting "public transportation grants" under "funding" in the GovDelivery menu.

To stay informed about zero-emission vehicle infrastructure grant programs, select "Zero-Emission Vehicle Grants" under "funding" in the GovDelivery menu.