Buying and Owning an EV Is More Affordable Than Ever

Budget-friendly financial incentives and rebate programs are making leasing or buying a new or used EV affordable for more households. EVs are also less expensive to maintain because they have far fewer mechanical components. Depending on the model, you could save 30–50% in service costs.

If you want to learn more about how EVs work and why they require less maintenance, check out our Learn About EVs page.

Save Thousands of Dollars with Rebates and Incentives

Check out the summary of EV incentives below. With these grants and rebates, many electric car models cost less than the average new car nationwide. Our partners at Access Clean California can help you find all the benefits you’re eligible for.

Federal Tax Credit

$4,000-$7,500

Car buyers can receive a discount at point of purchase or receive a tax credit for the purchase of a new plug-in or full electric vehicle.

irs.gov

Regional Rebate

Up to $4,000

Santa Barbara Clean Energy — Residential EV Rebate Program

Any member of the community who lives at a residence served by SBCE with an account in good standing is eligible to apply for the Electrify Santa Barbara - Residential Electric Vehicle Rebate.

sustainability.santabarbaraca.gov

CA State Incentive

$1,000 – $1,500

Vehicle Retirement Consumer Assistance Program

The vehicle retirement program offers eligible consumers an incentive to retire their old polluting vehicles.

bar.ca.gov

Regional Rebate

Up to $4,000

Central Coast Community Energy

The Central Coast Community Energy Electrify Your Ride program offers a rebate toward the purchase of NEW or USED eligible battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

3cenergy.org

Regional Rebate

Up to $3,000

Monterey Bay Air Resource District

The Monterey Bay Air Resource District rebate program offers residents in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties a rebate on NEW or USED eligible battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

*Amounts double for all incentives for eligible participants enrolled in government assistance programs

mbard.org

CA State Incentive

$7,500-$14,000

Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP)

DCAP provides incentives statewide in California to assist low-income and disadvantaged communities in purchasing clean air vehicles.

drivingcleanca.org

Incentives for Used EVs

Combine Rebates and Save Big on Previously Owned EVs!

Combine multiple regional rebates and save up to $10,000 when you purchase a used EV. Values shown are based on pre-owned all-battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and income eligibility.

Federal Tax Credit

$4,000

Car buyers can receive a discount at point of purchase or receive a tax credit for the purchase of a new plug-in or full electric vehicle.

irs.gov

Regional Rebates

$1,000 – $4,000

PG&E/Southern California Edison Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program

The PG&E/Southern California Edison Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program offers one of two options, based on your household level of income, when you purchase or lease an eligible pre-owned electric vehicle.

sce.com
evrebates.pge.com

Have more questions? Talk to a real person!

We understand this is a lot of information and incentives and rebate applications can be complex, that's where our team of experts comes in. Our Team of community based-volunteers are here to help answer your questions and navigate the more complicated purchasing aspects of EVs.

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I am amazed

“I am AMAZED that I get to own a brand new ALL ELECTRIC car! It is the first new car in my whole extended family and the first in my life! As a low-income person, it is the information on financial incentives and support from Ecology Action’s EV Purchase Guidance Program that made this possible. I am so very grateful!”

-Path Star of Aromas with her 2021 Chevy Bolt