An ambitious new initiative aims to make California a leader in clean transportation, offering substantial incentives for first-time electric vehicle buyers. Established by the state’s Legislature and approved by the Governor through SB 168, the MyFirstEV program represents a pioneering $135 million state investment. Automakers participating in this program are required to match the state’s contribution dollar-for-dollar, reflecting their confidence in California’s market.
Automakers on Board
Major manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lucid, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Rivian, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota, and Volvo have committed to the MyFirstEV initiative. Their participation underscores a shared dedication to California’s zero-emission vehicle market and support for American auto workers.
Instant Rebates: How They Work
Californians eyeing their first electric vehicle can benefit from immediate savings at dealerships, facilitated by the MyFirstEV program later this summer. The program offers a $1,750 rebate on used electric vehicles priced up to $25,000 through manufacturer-backed pre-owned programs. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will oversee the initiative, with additional details on funding availability expected soon.
For more information on electric vehicle options and dealership locations, Californians can visit www.electricforall.org.
Broader Investment in Clean Transportation
The MyFirstEV rebate is part of a larger $600 million investment in California’s clean transportation economy, funded by Cap-and-Invest revenue and smog-abatement fees. This comprehensive package aims to make clean vehicles more affordable and accessible, driving progress in zero-emission solutions.
Voices of Support
Industry leaders and environmental advocates have expressed strong support for the initiative:
Mike Murphy, CEO of the American EV Jobs Alliance: “Governor Newsom and the California Legislature have stepped up to support California as America’s clear EV leader. $135 million for first-time EV buyers, matched dollar-for-dollar by automakers, adds up to more than $270 million in welcome help for new EV buyers. This legislation will fund a $3,500 cash-on-the-hood credit for tens of thousands of first-time EV buyers in the Golden State.”
Matt Petersen, President and CEO, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator: “The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is proud to have joined the call for EV incentives for cars and trucks through our clean vehicles campaign, and we are grateful to the Governor and legislature for reaching this deal. California now continues to lead on climate innovation and clean air, helping save money and create jobs—the deal also helps invest in companies based in our great state. This is exactly the type of bold climate leadership we hope to build upon and showcase by the time the world arrives for the 2028 Games.”
Laura Deehan, State Director, Environment California: “Californians will breathe easier thanks to these smart investments in clean cars, buses and trucks. I applaud the Governor and legislative leaders for crafting the clean car incentive to maximize every dollar by requiring a match from the car companies. This essentially doubles the clean air impact.”
Moms Clean Air Force: “On behalf of the 139,000 Moms Clean Air Force members in California, we celebrate this historic investment in fighting the leading source of smog and climate pollution in our state. This investment in clean electric vehicles will reduce air pollution in communities, which will mean fewer asthma attacks and lung infections, lower health care bills, and fewer harmful climate impacts. Moms Clean Air Force thanks the legislature and the governor for their leadership in keeping our kids safe from air pollution.”
Adrian Martinez, Director of Earthjustice’s Right To Zero Campaign: “California communities want buses and trucks that don’t pollute neighborhoods. These investments in nonpolluting trucks and buses show our elected leaders heard us. They also show California is not cowering in the corner as the Trump Administration seeks to destroy our clean transportation economy. Our leaders are standing up for cleaner air and a better future for Californians.”
Daniel Barad, Western States Director, Union of Concerned Scientists: “At a moment of escalating federal attacks and rollbacks, California’s leadership on zero-emission vehicle funding is both essential and timely. This funding for clean cars and trucks is a crucial bridge to a zero-emission transportation future and will help prevent California from falling behind the rest of the world. Further, the funding for Clean Cars for All is crucial to ensuring no one is left behind in the state’s transition to cleaner transportation.”
Benjamin Lu, Advocacy Manager, American Lung Association in California: “California’s clean air progress demands ongoing attention, including strong investments in zero-emission solutions. By investing in zero-emission trucks and other strategies to clean the air in our most impacted communities, California is showing we value public health and clean air.”
Susan Nedell, Sr. Western Advocate, E2: “These investments will drive growth in the state’s clean energy economy, adding to California’s 552,300 clean jobs, bolstering ZEV manufacturing in our state, and putting more Californians to work. These investments reinforce California’s global climate leadership ensuring our state remains a nexus of investment and job growth.”
Hannon Rasool, Managing Director of Transportation at Natural Resources Defense Council: “This budget maintains California’s leadership in the transition to zero-emissions vehicles, and signals there’s no going back to the era of dirty air and only having the option of relying on expensive and volatile gas. These purchase incentive programs will put EV ownership within reach of more Californians, so they can enjoy the fuel and maintenance cost savings of EVs and keep more of their paychecks in their pockets. These programs will further strengthen California’s leadership in the global clean transportation economy, supporting jobs, innovation, and manufacturing.”
Shannon Olivieri Hovis, Chief Strategy Officer, California Environmental Voters: “At a time when the federal government is attacking California’s authority to set stronger clean vehicle standards, this investment is exactly the kind of backstop we need to hold the line and protect our progress. By making it more affordable to drive electric, we’re cutting pollution, especially in communities that have spent far too long breathing dirty air from our busiest transportation corridors. California is proving once again that protecting clean air and lowering costs for families go hand in hand.”
Chris Chavez, Deputy Policy Director, Coalition for Clean Air: “We applaud both the Governor and the Legislature for their commitment to invest in clean transportation. Transportation is the largest source of pollution that harms both the climate and health in California. Funding clean transportation is an investment in public health, especially since California is home to the dirtiest air in the nation.”
Trisha DelloIacono, Head of Policy, CALSTART: “CALSTART champions the Governor and Legislature’s budget agreement, a decisive action that strengthens California’s global zero-emission leadership. This budget provides critical market certainty by providing funding for light-duty consumer incentives and the Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). We commend California’s leaders for matching climate ambition with capital and look forward to continuing to work together to advance additional transportation investments needed to support deployment, strengthen supply chains, and provide transportation alternatives.”
Original Story at www.gov.ca.gov