If you’ve never owned an EV and you live in California, you can now get $3,500 knocked off a new electric car on the spot. No tax forms. No waiting until next April. That’s the whole pitch behind the MyFirstEV rebate, and it’s already changing how dealers price EVs across the state.
Unlike the old federal EV tax credit, which died last year, this one doesn’t require you to owe enough in taxes to use it. It’s an instant, point-of-sale discount. California officially launched the program in August 2026, with Governor Newsom calling it a response to the federal government pulling back EV support.
What exactly is the MyFirstEV rebate?
MyFirstEV is a California state program that pays $3,500 toward a new zero-emission vehicle, or $1,750 toward a qualifying used one. It’s applied instantly at the dealership instead of claimed later on a tax return. The program is funded jointly by the state and participating automakers, and there’s no income limit on who can get it.
The program came out of Senate Bill 168. It’s backed by roughly $270 million — half from California’s budget, half matched dollar-for-dollar by automakers. Because it’s first-come, first-served, the money could run dry before every eligible buyer gets a shot. This isn’t a program to sit on if you’ve been eyeing an EV.
Who actually qualifies for the discount?
You have to be buying or leasing your very first zero-emission vehicle as a California resident. There’s no income cap, which is unusual for a state incentive. Eligibility hinges entirely on being a first-timer and on the vehicle’s price, not on your paycheck.
That’s a real departure from older programs like Clean Cars 4 All, which require you to fall under a certain income threshold. Here, a first-time EV buyer making six figures qualifies just as easily as one making minimum wage. The only catch is the car has to fit the price rules.
Which EVs qualify for the MyFirstEV rebate?
To get the full $3,500 off a new vehicle, the car has to be a 2026 model year or newer. It also has to be fully electric or hydrogen fuel-cell — no plug-in hybrids. On top of that, it needs to be priced at or under $50,000 MSRP, unless it’s built by a California-headquartered EV-only automaker like Rivian or Lucid, which get an exemption from that cap. Used EVs need a sale price under $25,000 and must be at least two model years old to get the smaller $1,750 rebate.
Thirteen automakers initially signed on: Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lucid, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Rivian, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota, and Volvo. Notably absent are Stellantis brands (Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram), Mercedes-Benz, and BMW. Shoppers eyeing those badges won’t find this rebate at the dealership.
| Model | Approx. Starting Price | MyFirstEV Eligible? |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Equinox EV | ~$35,000–$36,800 | Yes, confirmed by Chevrolet |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 / Ioniq 5 N | ~$36,600+ | Yes, confirmed by Hyundai |
| Nissan Leaf | ~$31,000–$31,500 | Yes, under $50K cap |
| Tesla Model 3 / Model Y | ~$40,000–$48,000 | Yes, new inventory units only |
| Chevrolet Bolt (new) | ~$29,000 | Yes, under $50K cap |
| Rivian R1S / R1T | Over $50,000 | Yes — MSRP cap waived (CA-based automaker) |
| Chevrolet Blazer EV | ~$44,000–$48,000 | Yes, confirmed by Chevrolet |
Pricing and eligibility change fast as automakers adjust trims and inventory. Always confirm the exact VIN qualifies before you sign anything. Dealers are required to post which specific models and trims are currently eligible.
Does the rebate work on a lease?
Yes, MyFirstEV applies to both purchases and leases. That’s a nice bit of flexibility for shoppers who don’t want to commit to ownership. The discount still gets applied instantly, reducing your capitalized cost the same way it reduces a purchase price.
That matters a lot right now given how competitive lease deals have gotten. It’s worth checking our rundown of current lease deals to see if stacking MyFirstEV on top of a manufacturer lease special beats buying outright.
Is MyFirstEV better than the old federal EV tax credit?
For most buyers, yes. You get the money immediately instead of waiting to file taxes, and there’s no income phase-out to worry about. The federal credit topped out higher at $7,500, but plenty of buyers never qualified for the full amount or couldn’t use it at the point of sale.
Still weighing whether going electric makes financial sense this year? Our EV buying decision framework walks through the bigger picture beyond just incentives. Curious how the math changed since the federal credit disappeared? We broke that down in our piece on the $7,500 EV tax credit’s expiration.
What about buying a used EV instead?
The used-EV version of MyFirstEV pays $1,750 off manufacturer-certified vehicles priced under $25,000. That’s a solid bonus, but a much smaller discount than the new-car rebate. Given used EV prices have already dropped close to gas-car territory, this stacks nicely on top of an already good deal.
Before you shop used, read our used EV buying guide first. It’ll help you avoid overpaying or getting stuck with a battery headache, since not every used EV ages the same way.
My honest take: if you’re a first-time EV buyer in California cross-shopping something like the Equinox EV or Ioniq 5, this rebate makes an already competitive price genuinely hard to beat. I’d move on it before the funding pool tightens. Other state rebate programs, like the Drive Clean rebate in other states, show how quickly these pools can dry up once word gets out.
FAQ
Do I need to apply for the MyFirstEV rebate in advance?
No. The rebate is applied instantly at the dealership during your purchase or lease paperwork. There’s no separate application or waiting period for reimbursement.
Can I combine MyFirstEV with manufacturer incentives?
Yes. Dealers and manufacturers have confirmed the rebate can stack with existing cash-back offers and lease specials. That can meaningfully lower your monthly payment.
Does MyFirstEV cover plug-in hybrids?
No. Only fully battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles qualify. Plug-in hybrids are excluded because they still have a gas engine and tailpipe emissions.
What happens if the funding runs out?
Once a participating automaker’s allotted funds are exhausted, that brand’s rebate stops. It may return if more funding gets added, so eligibility can change month to month depending on demand.