Overview
- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 168 on July 13, 2026, establishing MyFirstEV as a point-of-sale rebate program for first-time electric-vehicle buyers and lessees in California.
- The law offers $3,500 off qualifying new battery-electric or hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles that retail under $50,000 and $1,750 off qualifying used EVs under $25,000.
- About $270 million is committed to the program, with roughly half from state funds and half from participating automakers, and funds will be divided equally among brands that join.
- CARB must finish dealer and automaker agreements and publish the list of participating brands before the program opens; rebates will be applied at dealerships with no pre-purchase application and buyers must confirm first-time EV status at sale.
- State officials say the program is meant to stabilize California’s EV market and protect jobs after federal credits ended, but the carve-out for California-headquartered automakers and fast-depleting funds could prompt political or legal scrutiny and leave some buyers excluded if their chosen brand does not participate.