California EV incentives in 2026

California programs and current status

• Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP)

  Ended

  CARB closed CVRP to new applications effective November 8, 2023. It is not a rebate you can plan an order around today.

  CARB: CVRP program page

• First-time zero-emission vehicle instant rebate

  Limited or funding-dependent

  California announced instant rebates of up to $3,500 for eligible first-time ZEV buyers in August 2026. Income, vehicle price, and dealer participation rules apply, and funding is finite. Confirm eligibility and remaining funds before ordering.

  CARB: purchase incentives

• Clean Cars 4 All

  Limited or funding-dependent

  Income-qualified scrap-and-replace program run through CARB and participating air districts. Availability and funding vary by district, and most awards target used or lower-priced vehicles.

  CARB: Clean Cars 4 All

• Clean Air Vehicle (HOV) decals

  Ended

  The Clean Air Vehicle decal program ended September 30, 2025 after federal authorization for single-occupant HOV access lapsed. Do not factor carpool-lane access into a 2026 purchase decision.

  California DMV: Clean Air Vehicle decals

Statuses reflect the last review date shown above. Funding rounds open and close without much notice, so confirm before you order.

Federal context (2026)

The federal Clean Vehicle Credit for new EVs ended for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025, so a new EV delivered in 2026 should not be assumed to qualify for the former $7,500 credit. The federal charger credit (Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit, Form 8911) applies only to qualifying property placed in service on or before June 30, 2026, and the residential clean energy credit for solar and battery storage (Form 5695, section 25D) ended for expenditures made after December 31, 2025. Confirm current rules with the IRS or a qualified tax professional.

IRS clean vehicle credit guidance

Other things to check in California

• • Local city and air-district rebates still exist in some regions, often income-qualified
• • Home battery storage may be supported through utility or Self-Generation Incentive Program pathways; confirm current funding
• • California sales tax applies to the vehicle purchase price; there is no statewide EV sales-tax exemption

Programs, funding, and eligibility change often. Verify with the California energy office or the U.S. Department of Energy's alternative fuels data center before ordering.

Utility programs to check

• • PG&E EV rates and charger rebates
• • SCE (Southern California Edison) EV rate plans and pre-owned EV rebates
• • SDG&E EV rate plans
• • LADWP charger and EV programs

Contact your utility directly for current rebates, EV time-of-use rates, and home charger install programs. Rules vary by service territory.

How the Tesla referral benefit fits in

Tesla's referral benefit is separate from any state, local, or utility program. A referral link may add a Tesla-provided buyer benefit on top of anything you qualify for through California agencies or your utility. Use the link before you place the order, because Tesla does not apply a referral to an order that was already submitted. Tesla controls eligibility, current benefits, and program availability, and can change or end them at any time.

Before you order in California

• • Verify every California, local, and utility program with the issuing agency
• • Confirm eligibility for your specific model, trim, and delivery date
• • Confirm the current Tesla referral benefit and whether your chosen configuration is eligible
• • Use the referral link before checkout, then verify the benefit shows in your Tesla account