California Cap-and-Trade Shares the Wealth, With Zipcars for Public Housing Residents

Residents of public housing in the California capital now have new access to economic mobility, in the form of a shared fleet of electric cars. All fo this is made possible by the state's cap-and-trade system designed to limit and offset carbon emissions.

"Residents at three public housing areas now have a mini-fleet of free Zipcars to make their way around Sacramento," reports Anita Chabria.

The Zipcars are the fruits of a new pilot project, launched earlier this month, which will provide access to the shared cars (eight electric Kia Souls) at public housing sites around the city. "Up to 300 residents can apply for on-demand access to the vehicles, with no charge for maintenance, insurance or juicing up the battery," according to Chabria.

The program is funded through a $1.3 million grant from the California Air Resources Board—money generated by the state's cap-and-trade system.