California EV Incentive Calculator
2026Calculate electric vehicle incentives and savings in California. See CA state EV rebates, tax credits, and registration surcharges. Federal EV tax credit was repealed by OBBBA (Sept 30, 2025) — only state-level incentives remain in 2026.
Written and reviewed by Konstantin Iakovlev · Methodology · Updated
Annual Fuel Savings
$1,277.14
Annual Maintenance Savings
$600.00
Total Annual Savings
$1,877.14
5-Year Savings
$9,385.71
10-Year Savings
$18,771.43
EV Savings Breakdown
| Annual Gas Fuel Cost | $1,757.14 |
| Annual EV Fuel Cost | - $480.00 |
| Annual Fuel Savings | $1,277.14 |
| Gas Maintenance/yr | $1,200.00 |
| EV Maintenance/yr | - $600.00 |
| Annual Maintenance Savings | $600.00 |
| Total Annual Savings | $1,877.14 |
| 5-Year Savings | $9,385.71 |
| 10-Year Savings | $18,771.43 |
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
What EV incentives are available in California?
Federal credit status: the New Clean Vehicle Credit ($7,500 new / $4,000 used), Section 30D and 25E of the IRC, was repealed by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act for vehicles placed in service after September 30, 2025. Vehicles purchased in 2026 do not qualify for any federal point-of-sale or tax-time EV credit. EVs delivered before that cutoff may still claim the credit on a prior-year return if eligible.
State and utility programs in California: California may offer a state EV purchase rebate, sales-tax exemption, or HOV-lane access. Programs are funded annually and can pause when budgets exhaust, so verify availability with the California energy office or DMV before committing to a purchase.
Total cost of ownership: EV buyers in many states pay a higher annual registration surcharge ($50–$225 typical) to offset lost gas-tax revenue, partially eroding fuel savings. Use this calculator to weigh purchase price, any active state/utility rebates, the annual EV registration surcharge, and lifetime fuel/maintenance savings to see whether an EV makes financial sense in California.
California EV programs: state rebate, utility incentives, and HOV access
- State purchase rebate
- Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) is suspended as of 2024 budget; Clean Cars 4 All up to $12,000 for low-income trade-in
- Utility programs
- PG&E Pre-Owned EV Rebate $1,000–$4,000; SCE Pre-Owned $750; SDG&E Power Your Drive bill credit
- HOV lane access
- Program expired — no longer available
- Annual EV registration surcharge
- $118 Transportation Improvement Fee + $100 ZEV fee (2026)
California suspended its flagship Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) in 2023 due to budget pressure but maintains Clean Cars 4 All ($12,000 trade-in rebate for low-income buyers in pollution-burdened communities) and the Clean Vehicle Assistance Program ($5,000 grant + low-cost financing). Utility programs remain robust: PG&E Pre-Owned EV Rebate ($1,000-$4,000), SCE/SDG&E variants. The HOV-lane white sticker program for EVs expired September 30, 2025 — clean-air vehicles no longer get HOV access. California's 2025 mandate banning new gas-only car sales by 2035 drives the most aggressive EV adoption push in the country.
California EV & Tax Facts (2026)
| State Sales Tax | 7.25% |
| State Income Tax | progressive (up to 13.3%) |
| Avg. Property Tax Rate | 0.71% |
California EV incentives — frequently asked questions
What EV incentives are available in California in 2026?
California suspended its flagship Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) in 2023 due to budget pressure but maintains Clean Cars 4 All ($12,000 trade-in rebate for low-income buyers in pollution-burdened communities) and the Clean Vehicle Assistance Program ($5,000 grant plus low-cost financing for under-300% federal poverty line buyers). PG&E Pre-Owned EV Rebate offers $1,000-$4,000, with SCE and SDG&E variants. The HOV-lane white sticker program for EVs expired September 30, 2025 — clean-air vehicles no longer get HOV access.
Can I still get the federal EV tax credit in California?
The federal Clean Vehicle Credit (up to $7,500 new, $4,000 used) was repealed effective September 30, 2025 under federal legislation. California buyers can no longer stack it with state programs. However, Clean Cars 4 All ($12,000 trade-in for income-qualified buyers in disadvantaged communities) and the Clean Vehicle Assistance Program ($5,000 grant) remain active. California's 2035 mandate banning new gas-only car sales drives continued state-level investment despite the federal credit's expiration.
Are there charging incentives for California EV buyers?
Yes. CARB's Charge Up California program provides up to $750 for residential Level 2 chargers. PG&E's EV Charge program offers $700 for residential installation and $5,000 for multi-family properties. SCE and SDG&E offer similar utility-funded programs, often layered with time-of-use EV rates that drop overnight charging to $0.18/kWh versus $0.40+ standard. Income-qualified residents can access the EV Charging Access Program (ECAP) for free Level 2 charger installation. Apply through your utility's EV portal.