Right now, only a handful of automakers can hand you $3,500 off a new EV in California. Tesla already burned through its share of the money. That’s the reality of the MyFirstEV rebate a month into its rollout, and it changes which cars are worth shopping today versus which ones are still just a promise.
We covered the basics when the program first launched in our earlier look at which EVs qualify for MyFirstEV. Since then, the list of participating automakers has started moving. It’s worth a fresh check before you sign anything.
What exactly is the MyFirstEV rebate?
MyFirstEV is a California program that knocks $3,500 off the price of a new zero-emission vehicle right at the dealership. No tax filing is required, as long as you’ve never owned or leased an EV before. It also offers $1,750 off a certified pre-owned EV under $25,000.
Governor Newsom signed the program into law through Senate Bill 168. It officially launched on August 7, 2026. The state put in $135.5 million, and participating automakers match that dollar-for-dollar. That creates a combined pool of roughly $270 million — enough for an estimated 73,000 to 77,000 rebates before the money runs dry.
Which new EVs actually qualify for the $3,500 MyFirstEV rebate right now?
As of mid-September, the rebate is live at Hyundai, Genesis, Lucid, Ford, Rivian, Chevrolet, and Kia dealerships. Several more automakers plan to join through the fall. The car has to be model-year 2026 or newer. For most brands, the MSRP has to sit at or below $50,000.
| Automaker | Status | Example model under $50K |
|---|---|---|
| Hyundai / Genesis | Live since Aug. 7 | Ioniq 5 (from ~$36,600) |
| Chevrolet | Live (joined late Aug.) | Equinox EV (from ~$34,995) |
| Ford | Live (joined late Aug.) | Mustang Mach-E |
| Kia | Live (joined late Aug.) | Niro EV, EV6 |
| Rivian / Lucid | Live, exempt from $50K cap | Priced up to $71,000 |
| Tesla | Funds depleted days after launch | Model 3 / Model Y (not currently claimable) |
| Toyota / Lexus, Honda, Subaru | Joining September 2026 | bZ, Prologue, Solterra |
| Mitsubishi | Joining November 2026 | TBD |
| Nissan, Volvo | No launch date yet | Leaf, EX30/EX40 |
Notice Tesla isn’t really an option here anymore. The company’s slice of MyFirstEV funding ran out just days after launch. Buyers hoping to use the rebate on a Model 3 or Model Y should look elsewhere for now.
Why do Rivian and Lucid get a higher price cap?
Both automakers are headquartered in California. So state lawmakers carved out an exception. Their vehicles can qualify for the full $3,500 rebate at prices up to $71,000, well above the standard $50,000 ceiling. That’s a meaningful perk if you’re eyeing an R1S, R1T, or Lucid Air.
It’s a smart move for California’s economy. But it also means shoppers comparing an entry Rivian against something like a loaded Equinox EV or Ioniq 5 should factor that gap into their math, not just the sticker price.
Which automaker should you actually buy from right now?
If I were spending my own money this month, I’d look hard at the Chevy Equinox EV or Hyundai Ioniq 5. Both are live. Both start comfortably under the $50,000 cap. And both stack the rebate on top of already-competitive pricing. We recently broke down how the Ioniq 5’s price drop already made it a strong value. $3,500 more off just sweetens that further.
If you’re torn between a Leaf and an Equinox EV once Nissan finally joins, our Leaf vs. Equinox EV comparison is worth a read before you decide. And if Honda’s discontinued Prologue is on your list, check our piece on buying a Prologue before it disappears, since Honda doesn’t join MyFirstEV until September.
Can you stack MyFirstEV with other California incentives?
Yes. MyFirstEV has no income cap. You can layer it with income-qualified programs like Clean Cars 4 All, which can add up to $12,000 more for eligible buyers. That combination could realistically cut over $15,000 off a new EV for lower-income Californians who also retire an older gas car.
Still weighing whether an EV makes financial sense for your household at all? Our EV decision framework for 2026 walks through the math beyond just the upfront rebate, including charging costs and resale value.
Is the rebate money running out fast?
Tesla’s experience is a warning sign. Its portion of the fund vanished within days. CARB has said the program simply ends when the money is gone, automaker by automaker. If your preferred brand hasn’t joined yet, or joined recently, don’t assume the rebate will still be there in a few months.
Check the California Air Resources Board’s participating manufacturers page before you commit to a purchase. Availability changes brand by brand and even dealership by dealership.
FAQ
Do I need to be low-income to qualify for MyFirstEV?
No. Unlike Clean Cars 4 All, MyFirstEV has no income cap. Any California resident buying their first zero-emission vehicle can apply, regardless of earnings.
Does leasing an EV count toward the rebate?
Yes. The MyFirstEV rebate applies to both purchases and leases of an eligible new zero-emission vehicle. It just has to be genuinely your first one.
What counts as a “first-time” EV buyer?
You’ll need to sign an attestation at the dealership. It confirms you’ve never previously purchased or leased a zero-emission vehicle, which CARB uses to verify eligibility.
What happens if my automaker hasn’t joined MyFirstEV yet?
You simply won’t get the rebate until that brand officially launches its participation. Vehicles bought before that date don’t qualify retroactively. So it pays to check current status before ordering.