California EV Incentives Quick Summary
MyFirstEV: New — $3,500 off a new EV under $50,000, or $1,750 on a CPO under $25,000. No income limit. Applied at the dealership.
Clean Cars 4 All: Up to $12,000 in a disadvantaged community, $10,000 elsewhere, plus $2,000 for charging — income-qualified, and you must scrap an older vehicle
DCAP Program: Scrap-and-replace pathway open; the Financing Assistance pathway closed August 21, 2026
Federal Credit: Expired — the $7,500 credit ended September 30, 2025
Utility Rebates: Pre-Owned EV Rebate of $1,000 standard or $4,000 income-qualified at PG&E, SCE and SDG&E. PG&E drops the standard $1,000 tier on September 30, 2026 — income-qualified only after that.
HOV Lane Access: Ended — Clean Air Vehicle decals expired September 30, 2025
If you meet no income test: $3,500 through MyFirstEV on a new EV.
If you are income-qualified: up to $14,000 (CC4A $12,000 + $2,000 charging), plus a utility Pre-Owned rebate on a used EV.
Important Program Updates
CVRP Program Closed: The popular Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) that offered up to $7,500 rebates stopped accepting new applications on November 8, 2023. All funding has been reserved for existing applicants.
A No-Income-Limit Rebate Is Back: For nearly three years after CVRP closed, every meaningful California EV incentive required you to be income-qualified. MyFirstEV changed that on August 7, 2026 — $3,500 off a new EV, or $1,750 on a certified pre-owned one, with no income test at all.
What Replaced CVRP?
For a long time the honest answer was "nothing, unless you are low income." That is no longer true. California now runs a two-track system: a smaller rebate open to everyone, and much larger ones for income-qualified buyers who scrap an older car.
- MyFirstEV: $3,500 new / $1,750 CPO, no income limit, at the point of sale
- Clean Cars 4 All (CC4A): Up to $12,000 for income-qualified households that scrap a vehicle
- Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP): Statewide sibling of CC4A — an alternative route, not a stack
- Utility Programs: PG&E, SCE and SDG&E Pre-Owned EV Rebates, $1,000 or $4,000
- Federal Credits: No longer available — expired September 30, 2025
MyFirstEV: California's No-Income-Limit Rebate
Launched August 7, 2026. This is the first California EV purchase incentive since CVRP closed in November 2023 that does not ask about your income. You sign a declaration that this is your first EV purchase or lease, and the dealer takes it off the price. No application, no waiting, no tax return.
New EV
$3,500
Off a new electric vehicle with an MSRP of $50,000 or less.
- No income limit
- Applied at the point of sale by the dealer
- First-time EV buyers only — signed declaration required
- California-headquartered manufacturers are exempt from the price cap
Certified Pre-Owned EV
$1,750
Off a certified pre-owned EV priced at $25,000 or less.
- No income limit
- Manufacturer CPO programmes only
- Independent used-car dealers do not qualify
- Can be combined with a utility Pre-Owned EV Rebate
Check your brand before you shop. The programme is funded at $270 million — roughly half a state appropriation and half from the manufacturers themselves — and each participating automaker has its own allocation. Tesla has reported that its allocation is already depleted. Hyundai, Lucid and Tesla launched first, with the remaining brands phasing in through autumn 2026. Confirm the rebate is still funded for the specific brand you want before you commit.
Participating Manufacturers
Thirteen automakers signed on at announcement, since expanded: Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lucid, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Rivian, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota and Volvo. Availability varies by brand and by dealer as allocations are drawn down.
Can You Stack It?
CARB's own MyFirstEV guidance indicates it can be combined with Clean Cars 4 All. We have not confirmed that against a primary programme document, so we do not add the two together in our headline figures. If you qualify for both, get written confirmation from the dealer and your air district before you count on it.
Clean Cars 4 All (CC4A) Program
Program Status (2025): Clean Cars 4 All continues in select regions with robust funding. Bay Area program temporarily closed but expects to reopen Fall 2025. Sacramento, San Joaquin Valley, South Coast, and San Diego programs remain active.
Clean Cars 4 All helps income-qualified residents replace older, high-pollution vehicles with cleaner alternatives including new or used electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
CC4A Rebate Amounts by Region
| Region | Standard Rebate | Disadvantaged Community | Program Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Area (BAAQMD) | Up to $9,500 | Up to $12,000 | Reopening Fall 2025 |
| South Coast (SCAQMD) | Up to $7,000 | Up to $10,000 | Active |
| San Joaquin Valley | Up to $9,500 | Up to $12,000 | Active |
| Sacramento (SMAQMD) | Up to $7,000 | Up to $10,000 | Active |
| San Diego (SDAPCD) | Up to $7,000 | Up to $10,000 | Active |
CC4A Eligibility Requirements
- Income Limits: Household income ≤ 300% of Federal Poverty Level
- Vehicle Retirement: Must scrap qualifying 2009 or older vehicle
- Residency: Must live in participating air district region
- Application Required: Must apply and be approved before purchasing
- Purchase Limits: New/used EV under $45,000 purchase price
- One Per Household: Lifetime limit of one assistance per household
Income Qualification Example (2025): For a household of 4, the maximum combined income is $93,600 annually to qualify for Clean Cars 4 All rebates.
Additional Benefits
CC4A participants also receive up to $2,000 for home EV charging equipment or public charging credits if home charging isn't feasible.
Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP)
Statewide Expansion (2024-2025): DCAP extends Clean Cars 4 All benefits to areas not covered by regional programs, making EV incentives available throughout California.
DCAP Scrap & Replace
Up to $12,000
Income-qualified participants can receive up to $10,000 to purchase or lease a new or used EV. Those in disadvantaged communities get up to $12,000.
- Must scrap 2009 or older vehicle
- New/used EVs under $45,000 purchase price
- Income limit: ≤ 300% Federal Poverty Level
- Available statewide outside CC4A regions
DCAP Financing Assistance
Up to $7,500
Program provides financing assistance for clean vehicle purchases without requiring vehicle retirement.
- No vehicle retirement required
- Low-interest loans capped at 8% APR
- Available to income-qualified residents
- Additional $2,000 for charging equipment
Program Pause: As of October 2023, DCAP temporarily stopped accepting new applications due to exhausted funding. Check the official website for updates on when the program may reopen.
Federal EV Tax Credit (Expired)
Expired: The federal EV tax credit ended September 30, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Vehicles delivered after that date are not eligible. Buyers who signed a binding written contract and made a qualifying payment on or before September 30, 2025 may still claim it on their 2025 return using IRS Form 8936, provided the dealer filed a time-of-sale report with the IRS.
New EV Federal Tax Credit (Expired)
No longer available
Was worth up to $7,500 for new EVs meeting battery assembly and critical mineral requirements. Ended for vehicles delivered after September 30, 2025.
- Claimable only on a 2025 tax return, if you qualified in time
- Requires a binding contract and payment by Sept 30, 2025
- Dealer must have filed a time-of-sale report with the IRS
- Claim on IRS Form 8936
Used EV Federal Tax Credit (Expired)
No longer available
Was worth up to $4,000 on qualifying used EVs bought through a registered dealer. Ended September 30, 2025 alongside the new-vehicle credit.
- Claimable only on a 2025 tax return, if you qualified in time
- Vehicle had to be at least 2 years old
- Price cap was $25,000
- Claim on IRS Form 8936
California Utility EV Programs
Major Utility Coverage: California's three largest utilities - PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E - serve over 75% of the state's population with comprehensive EV rebate programs.
PG&E Pre-Owned EV Rebate
Up to $4,000
Pacific Gas & Electric offers rebates for used EV purchases, with enhanced amounts for income-qualified customers.
- Standard rebate: $1,000 for used EVs
- Income-qualified rebate: Up to $4,000
- Application within 180 days of purchase
- Serves Northern and Central California
PG&E Charging Solutions Rebate
50-100% rebate
Rebates on PG&E-approved EV charging equipment for residential customers.
- Standard: 50% of equipment purchase price
- Income-qualified: 100% of purchase price
- Must use pre-approved equipment list
- Professional installation required
SCE Pre-Owned EV Rebate
$1,000-$4,000
Southern California Edison's rebate program for used electric vehicle purchases.
- Standard rebate: $1,000
- Income-qualified: $4,000
- Serves Southern California region
- Application within 180 days of purchase
SCE Charge Ready Home
Up to $4,200
Rebates for electrical panel upgrades and Level 2 EV charger installation.
- Panel upgrade rebates available
- Must install within 120 days of EV purchase
- Additional rebates in disadvantaged communities
- Supports home charging infrastructure
SDG&E EV Programs
Special Rates
San Diego Gas & Electric offers EV-TOU-5 time-of-use rates for home charging savings.
- Lower rates during off-peak hours
- Super off-peak charging benefits
- Serves San Diego County
- Used EV rebates: $1,500 for BEVs under $40K
SMUD EV Programs
1.5¢ discount
Sacramento Municipal Utility District offers EV rate credits and managed charging programs.
- 1.5¢ discount on electricity midnight-6 AM
- Managed EV charging rewards
- Quarterly reward payments available
- Partnership with automakers for optimal charging
Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) Decal Program
Program Ended: California's Clean Air Vehicle decal program expired September 30, 2025 and has not been renewed. Decals are no longer issued and are no longer valid. All vehicles must now meet normal occupancy requirements to use HOV lanes.
Until September 30, 2025, the Clean Air Vehicle decal program allowed qualifying electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to use HOV (carpool) lanes with a single occupant, plus toll discounts on Bay Area bridges and express lanes. Federal authorization for the program lapsed and California has not reinstated it.
What the CAV Decal Provided (Until It Ended)
- HOV Lane Access: Use carpool lanes as single occupant statewide
- Bridge Toll Discounts: $4 carpool rate on Bay Area bridges
- Express Lane Benefits: 50% discount or toll-free travel
- Application Fee: $22 for 4-year validity period
Decal Expiration History
| Decal Color | Issue Period | Original Expiration | Actual Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 2021 | January 1, 2025 | September 30, 2025 |
| Yellow | 2022 | January 1, 2026 | September 30, 2025 |
| Green | 2023 | January 1, 2027 | September 30, 2025 |
| Burgundy | 2024 | January 1, 2028 | September 30, 2025 |
Income Restrictions Removed: As of January 1, 2024, the income-based CAV decal restrictions have expired, making decals available to all qualifying vehicle owners regardless of income level.
Regional & Local EV Programs
Antelope Valley Incentive
$500
Residents can claim $500 for any battery-electric vehicle purchased from Antelope Valley dealerships only.
BWP Pre-Owned EV Rebate
Up to $1,000
Burbank Water and Power offers rebates for pre-owned EVs two years or older.
3CE Electrify Your Ride
$1,000-$2,000
Central Coast Community Energy customers get $2,000 for new BEVs, $1,000 for used BEVs.
Colton Electric Rebate
$1,000-$1,500
Standard $1,000 rebate, increased to $1,500 for low-income customers. Used EVs only.
El Dorado County Incentive
$599
County residents get $599 for EVs eligible for DMV Clean Air Vehicle decals.
Eastern Kern APCD Voucher
$4,000
DMV Grant Program funding provides $4,000 vouchers for new zero-emission vehicles.
How to Maximize Your California EV Savings
Stacking Strategy for Maximum Benefits
Example Maximum Savings Scenario:
- Clean Cars 4 All (Disadvantaged Community): $12,000
- CC4A Charging Equipment: $2,000
- Utility rebate (PG&E, SCE or SDG&E): up to $4,000
- Total First-Year Savings: up to $18,000 — only if you qualify for all three
- Federal EV Tax Credit: $0 — expired September 30, 2025
Strategic Planning Steps
- Start with CC4A or DCAP: With the federal credit gone, these income-qualified programs are now the largest single source of savings in California
- Check Income Eligibility: Determine if you qualify for CC4A or DCAP programs
- Identify Your Region: Find which air district manages your area's programs
- Apply First: All income-qualified programs require pre-approval
- Choose Participating Dealers: Ensure dealer participates in your chosen program
- Coordinate Utility Rebates: Apply for utility programs within required timeframes
Program Coordination Timeline
| Action Item | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apply for CC4A/DCAP | Before vehicle purchase | Required for all income-qualified programs |
| Purchase/Lease Vehicle | Before Sept 30, 2025 | For federal credit eligibility |
| Apply for CAV Decal | By August 29, 2025 | Last date to order decals |
| Apply for Utility Rebates | Within 180 days | PG&E and SCE deadline |
| Install Home Charging | Within 120 days (SCE) | For charging rebate eligibility |
Popular EVs Eligible for California Programs
Tesla Model 3
Multiple Programs
Qualifies for federal credit, utility rebates, and CAV decals. Popular choice for CC4A participants.
Chevrolet Bolt EV/EUV
All Programs
Affordable option qualifying for all major incentive programs including CC4A under price caps.
Nissan LEAF
All Programs
Long-standing EV option, widely available used, qualifies for utility rebates and federal credits.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
Most Programs
Fast-charging capability, eligible for federal credits and utility programs. Check CC4A price limits.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Federal + Utility
Qualifies for federal credit and utility rebates. May exceed CC4A price caps depending on trim.
BMW i3 (Used)
Used Programs
Popular used EV option for utility rebates, used federal credit, and CC4A replacement vehicles.
Vehicle Eligibility Check: Always verify current eligibility with program administrators before making purchase decisions. Eligible vehicle lists change frequently based on manufacturer submissions and program updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I combine Clean Cars 4 All with federal tax credits?
Not any more. The federal EV tax credit expired September 30, 2025, so there is no federal purchase credit left to combine. Clean Cars 4 All can still be stacked with utility rebates and regional air district programs, as long as you meet each program's income limits and vehicle price caps.
What happened to California EV incentives after federal credits ended?
California's state programs (CC4A, DCAP, utility rebates) continued after the federal credit ended on September 30, 2025 and are still running. The Clean Air Vehicle decal program ended on the same date, so single-occupant HOV lane access is no longer available.
Why did CVRP close and when might it reopen?
CVRP closed in November 2023 due to exhausted funding after issuing nearly 600,000 rebates since 2010. There's no announced timeline for reopening, as California has shifted focus to income-qualified programs like CC4A and DCAP that provide larger rebates to those who need them most.
Which utility rebate should I apply for?
Apply for the rebate from your electricity provider: PG&E (Northern/Central California), SCE (Southern California), or SDG&E (San Diego). You cannot double-dip between utility programs, but you can combine utility rebates with other state and federal programs.
Can I still get a CAV decal?
No. The program ended September 30, 2025 and the DMV no longer issues decals. Previously issued decals are no longer valid for single-occupant HOV access, regardless of the expiration date printed when they were issued.
What if I don't qualify for income-based programs?
Utility rebates (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E) and regional air district programs are still open to all income levels. The federal tax credit and the CAV decal program both ended September 30, 2025, and CVRP remains closed, so utility and regional rebates are the main remaining options.
Ready to Save with California EV Incentives?
California state and utility programs are still running — up to $12,000 through Clean Cars 4 All for income-qualified buyers, plus utility rebates. The federal credit and CAV decals ended September 30, 2025.
Questions about CA EV incentives? Contact our experts for personalized guidance.
Official Resources & Applications
Clean Cars 4 All Programs
DCAP Statewide Program
Website: Driving Clean Assistance Program
Eligibility: Check income and vehicle requirements
Eligibility: Check income and vehicle requirements
Utility EV Programs
CAV Decal Application
Website: CA DMV CAV Decals
Deadline: Apply by August 29, 2025
Deadline: Apply by August 29, 2025
Disclaimer: Incentive amounts and program details change frequently. Always verify current information with official program sources before making a purchase decision. This guide was last updated September 5, 2026. MyFirstEV data verified against the Governor's office announcement and CARB.