10 Electric Car Rebates and Incentives In California

Last Updated on May 30, 2023 by Rose Morah

If you are looking to purchase or lease an EV in California, you could benefit from electric car rebates and incentives available for eligible residents.

This will lower the cost of your newly purchased or leased EV. 

This article has lined up a number of rebates and incentives that California residents can apply for after buying or leasing an eligible electric car.

Related:

New York State (NY) EV Rebate Programs.

7 Texas EV Rebate Programs And Incentives.

Electric cars rebates and incentives for California residents

1. The California Air Resources Reward Program

Rebate Offer: Up to $750

If you purchase or lease a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or all-electric (BEV) EV in California, you may qualify for point-of-sale rebates of up to $750.

This is through the Clean Fuel Reward Program.

To qualify for this program, you must meet the following requirements:

• The battery capacity of the EV should not be less than 5kWh.
• Your purchase should be from a participating automotive retailer. 
• The electric vehicle should be on their list of eligible vehicles.
• You must be residing in California.
• The vehicle must be registered in California.

For more information, check The California Air Resources Board Official website.

See also: Florida EV Rebates and Incentives.

3. The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP)

Rebate Offer: Up to $2,000 for EVs & up to $1000 for PHEVs.

If you purchase or lease a qualifying light-duty EV, plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV), or even a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEVs) then could qualify for rebate offers of:

• $2000 for a light-duty EV.
• $1000 for PHEVs.
• $4500 for FCEVs.
• $750 for zero-emission motorcycles.

The following are some eligibility requirements for those interested in CVRP:

• You must be based in California or have a California-based affiliate during the period of purchase. (This applies to individuals, non-profit or government entities, and individuals).
• You should meet the minimum income requirement.
• You should have submitted your application prior to the exhaustion of the available rebate funds. 
• The rebate application should be submitted within 3 months of leasing/purchasing the electric vehicle.

For more details on the eligibility and requirements, you will find more information on their official website.

You may also like: How To Finance a Tesla (Tips and Tricks).

4. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s (BAAQMD) Rebate Offers.

Grants – Up to $9,500

If you are a Bay Area resident, you will have two options:

1. Receiving grants will be determined by the vehicle you choose and your household income. For example, the following are the grant offers for each type of EV:

a). Hybrid Electric  – $5,000 to $7,000

b). Plug-in Hybrid –  $5,500 to $9,500

c). Battery Electric & Fuel Cell – $5,500 to $9,500

d). Optional Home Charger – Up to $2,000

e). Mobility Options (like e-bikes e.t.c) – Up to $7,500.

For more information on the grant amount, be sure to check their official website.

2. Replacing your old car with a battery EV, a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, or a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle.

For your old car to be eligible it must meet the following requirements;

a). The vehicle should be from 2005 or older (2004, 2003, 2002 e.t.c). 

b). The vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating [GVWR] should be up to 10,000 pounds.

c). The vehicle should be functioning.

d). The vehicle should be registered to an individual who has a valid California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) sticker.

There are more detailed requirements. The above is just a summary. Therefore, I would recommend you visit their official website for more details.

See also: Tesla Home Charging Options.

5. Turlock Irrigation District (TID) Rebates

Rebate Offer: Up to $500 for purchasing an EV & $300 for purchasing and installing a Level 2 EV home charger.

Turlock Irrigation District (TID) offers California residents a $500 rebate when they purchase a new or used EV. 

Additionally, if you are a TID customer who is enrolled in the CARES program, you receive an additional amount of $700.

To qualify, you should meet the following requirements:

• You must be a TID customer.

• The vehicle must be purchased from a retail automobile company. This also applies to purchased used vehicles.

• You are limited to 2 EVs rebates per residential account.

For more information, check their official website.

When you purchase and install a Level 2 charger you can also qualify for a $300 rebate and an additional $100, if you are a CARES customer. 

To qualify you should meet the following requirements:

• You must be a TID customer.

• You are limited to two Level 2 charger installations per residential account.

• There should be a qualifying EV registered to the address of the TID customer.

• The Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EV home charger) must be a Level 2 charger.

Be sure, to check their official website for more details and updates.

You may also like:

Best EV Home Chargers(EVSE) According to EV Owners & Experts.

7 Things to Consider Before Installing an EV Home Charger.

10 Cheapest EV Home Chargers (Under $500).

6. Federal Income Tax credit

According to IRS, you may qualify for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500, the minimum being $2,500 when you purchase an EV.

We have a detailed article on the Federal Income Tax credit: List of Electric Cars That Qualify For Federal Tax Credit. Be sure to check it out.

And if you have a tax adviser, you could consult him/her because different exceptions and requirements may apply. Additionally, be sure to check the official IRS publications or consult an IRS tax representative.

7. The MCEv Program 

Rebate Offer: Up to $3,500 & $13, 750 for purchasing/leasing an EV.

The MCEv Program offers a $3,500 rebate for eligible applicants when they purchase a new EV.

Additionally, they provide free customer support and advice on other programs and incentives such as the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) which you can get $3,500-$4,500.

With the additional rebates, you get $750 from CA Clean Fuel Reward and $5000 from Drive Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) or Clean Vehicle Assistance Program (CVAP).

The eligibilities include:

• You should be an MCE customer and located in MCE’s service area.

• The rebate application should be submitted within 3 months of purchasing/leasing the EV.

• The EV should be on the list of eligible EVs.

For more information and updates, be sure to visit their official website.

8. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) also offers incentives and rebates that help reduce the cost of charging your EV.

9. Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) Rebate Offers.

Rebate Offer: Up to $250 for purchasing/leasing an EV & $600 for Installing EV home charger.

Buying new or used EV PWP rebates

PWP customers can qualify for $250 when they buy a new or used plug-in electric vehicle. 

Additionally, they can get a bonus rebate of up to $500 if they purchase the EV from a Pasadena Auto Dealer.

Customers who are in the PWP’s income-qualifying programs can get an additional $1000 (up to $1500).

Installing EV Home Charger (EVSE)

You can qualify for a $600 rebate when you install a Wi-Fi-enabled qualifying EV home charger and $200 for a non-Wi-Fi Charger. 

For more information and updates be sure to visit their official website.

10. Azusa Light & Water Rebate Offers.

Rebate Offer: $150 for EV Home Charger Installation.

Azusa Light & Water Rebate Offers a $150 rebate when you install an ENERGY STAR® Level 2 (240) EV charger.

For more information and updates visit their official website.