By the New Car Dealers of San Diego
California leads the nation with the highest number of electric vehicles (EVs) on its roads, due to the State’s promotion and protection of public health, welfare and the environment. The State’s encouragement of EV adoption through incentive programs confirm California’s commitment to improving access to clean air throughout our communities and has led to the shift away from gasoline and diesel vehicles.
Since 2009, the California Air Resources Board has implemented the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP), a program administered by the Center for Sustainable Energy, to promote statewide adoption of clean vehicles. CVRP benefits EV shoppers with a financial incentive rebate of up to $7,000 for the purchase or lease of a new, eligible EV dependent on applicant income eligibility.
CVRP Program Overview:
CVRP has frequent updates to funding and program changes, which helps expand accessibility of EV adoption to California residents. CVRP current eligibility requirements include:
Consumers are ineligible for a rebate if their gross annual income exceeds the following thresholds.
- $150,000 for single filers
- $204,000 for head-of-household filers
- $300,000 for joint filers
The caps do not apply to FCEV’s.
Applicants must fulfill the following requirements for eligibility.
- Must be a California resident.
- Vehicle must be new at time of lease of purchase.
- One rebate per person. FCEV’s may qualify for second rebate.
- Must apply within three months after purchase.
- Rebates have a cap of $60,000 base MSRP (except FCEVs).
- Eligible PHEVs must have a minimum all-electric range of 35 miles in compliance with the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS) test standards.
- Vehicle must be owned, operated and registered in California for a minimum of 30 months.
- Previously registered unwinds, rollbacks and demo vehicles are not eligible.
Statewide Dealership Influence of EV Adoption:
There are 1,277 new car dealerships eligible for CVRP in the state of California, which has amounted to over 371,500 rebates administered and over $851 million in incentives received.
EV Customers’ Dealership Experience
Dealerships sales staff help EV customers find the vehicle that best suits their needs and provide valuable information for a variety of EVs. Based on CSE’s Electric Vehicle Costumer Survey, consumers who received a rebate, said dealerships are very knowledgeable about government financial incentives and contribute to the EV customer’s purchasing experience. The chart below provides more detailed information.
CVRP Dealer Hub webpage provides dealer-specific resources in supporting EV sales.
Please visit the Dealer Hub at cleanvehiclerebate.org/eng/dealer.
The CVRP Dealership Outreach Team offers online information sessions, webinars, marketing materials and other resources to ensure dealership sales staff are equipped to sell EVs and provide EV car shoppers a comprehensive and positive buying experience. CVRP Dealership Coordinators are always available to answer any questions and concerns regarding the program. Please feel free to contact us at dealership@energycenter.org.
Center for Sustainable Energy (2019). California Air Resources Board Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, Rebate Statistics. Data last updated [October 23, 2019]. Retrieved [November 4, 2019] from https://cleanvehiclerebate.org/eng/rebate-statistics.
