Jose Garcia of Woodlake was at his favorite corner store buying donuts when he first saw the flyers near the cash register advertising the Drive Clean in the San Joaquin vehicle replacement program.

As he got back into his 1999 Ford Mustang, he decided to look into the online application to see if he qualified for a used hybrid or plug-in electric vehicle. Soon, he was able to trade in his gas guzzler for a used Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid.

“I needed to save money on gas. I like the fact that the car doesn’t contaminate the earth,” said Garcia. “I chose the car after reading the reviews that the car was reliable. I was excited to learn the car charges as you drive as well.”

For 20 years, Valley Clean Air Now (Valley CAN), a nonprofit partner of Edison International, has been helping to clean the air in the San Joaquin Valley and surrounding areas as a contractor to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District managing its vehicle replacement and smog repair programs for income-qualified communities. And the current coronavirus pandemic hasn’t slowed down its staff.

When the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders were put in place in March, thanks to fast action by the Valley Air District, the Valley CAN staff needed just two weeks to adjust its programs to a new digital model. Using Spanish- language radio and localized social media to advertise its phone number and online application process, it continues to help customers make needed smog repairs and buy used hybrid and plug-in EVs.

“Our customers are concerned about the cost of getting to work and the risk of vehicle breakdowns, especially now,” said Tom Knox, executive director of Valley CAN, who noted they canceled 150 in-person events this year. With bilingual staff available 16 hours a day, seven days a week, they receive about 100 calls each weekday. “The calls are pouring in. We believe it’s important to be accessible, to be there.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Valley CAN has distributed more than 6,000 smog repair vouchers in the past three months. The nonprofit also has 317 customers currently ready to replace their old vehicles with used hybrids and plug-in vehicles. Using safe physical distancing, Valley CAN’s customers work with their partner repair shops and car dealerships.

The typical cars that Valley CAN sees are 1999 or older models with 150,000 miles that lack modern emission controls. By repairing or replacing these gas guzzlers, the nonprofit estimates that between 2012 and 2019, they saw total yearly emission reductions of 1,031 tons of nitrogen oxide, 139 tons of carbon monoxide and 129 tons of hydrocarbon.

“These unreliable, gas guzzlers are the primary mode of transportation for low-income communities in the San Joaquin Valley,” said Knox. “We shouldn’t see these vehicles on the road and by replacing them, we get huge emissions reductions.”

Connie Brown of Bakersfield heard the Valley CAN radio ads on her drive to work each morning. As the owner of a 1994 BMW 325, she decided to look into the online vehicle replacement program. Soon, she owned a used Ford Focus Electric.

“My granddaughter suffers from asthma. Her breathing is bad enough where she needs to go to the hospital for treatments. So, I understand firsthand what air pollution does to our community and the people that live in them,” she said.

The transportation sector in California accounts for nearly 80% of the state’s air pollution and more than 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Southern California Edison believes that in order to meet California’s climate goals by 2045, 75% of the state’s vehicles need to be electric, as outlined in its Pathway 2045.

“Edison has always impressed me with their team’s focus on clean energy challenges in disadvantaged communities,” said Knox. “I believe the way to solve seemingly impossible environmental problems is to put the right partnerships together and provide an attractive solution for the people who need it the most.”

For more information: valleycan.org.