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 this tax credit for the purchase of a new plug-in electric drive motor vehicle.
irs.govRegional 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.
sbcleanenergy.com/electrify-sbCA 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.govRegional 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.orgRegional 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.orgRegional Rebate
$1,000 – $4,000
PG&E Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program
The PG&E 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.
evrebates.pge.comRegional Rebate
Up to $7,500
Driving Clean Assistance Program
The Community Housing Development Corp. (CHDC) is providing grants to help income-qualified regional residents purchase or lease a NEW or USED plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or battery electric vehicle (BEV) in all Bay Area counties as well as Sacramento, Santa Cruz, and Yukon counties. Grant funds are intended to be used toward the down payment of a clean vehicle. Grant funds do not need to be repaid.
communityhdc.orgIncentives 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 this tax credit for the purchase of a used plug-in electric drive motor vehicle.
irs.govRegional Rebates
$1,000 – $4,000
PG&E Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program
The PG&E 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.
evrebates.pge.comRegional Grant
Up to $4,000
Driving Clean Assistance Program
The Community Housing Development Corp. (CHDC) is providing grants to help income-qualified regional residents purchase or lease a NEW or USED plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or battery electric vehicle (BEV) in all Bay Area counties as well as Sacramento, Santa Cruz, and Yukon counties. Grant funds are intended to be used toward the down payment of a clean vehicle. Grant funds do not need to be repaid.
communityhdc.orgHave 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.
Get ConnectedI 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