One state program offering up to a $9,500 credit for a zero-emission vehicle hit a record 14,000 applications in July.
California has given out 523,011 electric vehicle rebates for a total cost of $1.2 billion since 2010.
California is leading the nationwide race to register electric vehicles with more than 1.5 million, trailed by Texas and Florida.
About $929 million, or 68% of rebates, subsidized the purchase of 359,315 battery electric vehicles. The second most popular rebate was $240 million, or 28% of rebates funded the purchase of 149,621 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
Hydrogen vehicles received 12,961 rebates for $64 million. Finally, non-highway battery electric vehicles, highway-capable zero-emission motorcycles, and city and commercial zero-emission vehicles received 1,384 rebates for $2.1 million.
The state’s Clean Cars 4 All program offers up to $9,500 for a zero-emission vehicle or up to $7,500 toward transit or other shared mobility options.
In July, Clean Vehicle Rebate Project applications hit a record 14,000 applications.
The California Air Resources Board will transition its CVRP to help low- and middle-income Californians access zero-emission vehicles. In 2023, a program will give residents up to $12,000 to replace older vehicles or will offer up to $7,500 in vehicle purchase grants for car buyers not scrapping an older vehicle.
“No other state in the nation is doing as much as we are to accelerate our electric and zero emissions future,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in an April statement. “California is setting the bar for climate action---and we’re achieving our goals years ahead of schedule thanks to unprecedented investments secured in partnership with the Legislature. We’re making real progress on the world’s most ambitious plan to end the tailpipe so our kids and grandkids are left with a cleaner, healthier planet.”
According to the California Energy Commission, 21.1% of all new cars sold this year in California were zero-emission vehicles.
Federal data as of 2022 say California has 31 million gasoline vehicles, 1.5 million hybrid electrics, 1.3 million E85, 903,600 electric vehicles and 725,300 diesel vehicles.
“California, through its innovative policies and incentive programs, helped jumpstart the clean vehicle transformation that is underway, and the market has made it clear that zero emissions is the future,” CARB Executive Officer Dr. Steven Cliff said in an August statement. “A clean air future is only possible if every Californian can access clean transportation options, and equity will continue to be a guiding priority for our future efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.”
The California Air Resources Board has provided $430 million in assistance to low- and middle-income Californians.
California's most popular EVs accounting for new sales in quarter two of 2023 are the Tesla Model Y (74,488), Tesla Model 3 (41,430), the Chevrolet Bolt EUV (7,083) and the Jeep Wrangler (7,341).
Funds for the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project are nearly exhausted. Applications received on or after Sept. 6 will be placed on a standby list and are not guaranteed a rebate.
Abby Andrews