California Launches MyFirstEV Program Offering $3,500 Instant Rebates for New Buyers

Gavin Newsom rolled out the "MyFirstEV" rebate program, funding it with $270 million split evenly between state dollars and matching contributions from 15 participating automakers. The timing is no accident: the program lands roughly a year after federal EV tax credits disappeared under President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, leaving first-time buyers to navigate state-level relief on their own.

What the discount actually looks like

The headline figure is straightforward: $3,500 off the out-the-door price on a new battery-electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle priced under $50,000. Shopping used? The discount drops to $1,750, with a $25,000 retail ceiling. Fifteen automakers are signed up to match state funding, and three of them — Hyundai, Lucid, and Tesla — are running their rebates as of mid-August, with the rest rolling out through the fall. There's no pre-approval paperwork. You walk into a participating dealership, choose your car, and the discount applies at the point of sale.

Why first-timers only — and how that plays out

The program is strictly limited to California residents buying or leasing an EV for the first time. Lindsay Buckley, communications director for the California Air Resources Board — the agency running the program — noted that participants must sign a legal document confirming this is their inaugural EV purchase or lease. Anyone who has previously bought or leased an electric vehicle is ineligible.

The targeting is intentional. UC Berkeley professor of civil engineering Scott Moura pointed out that incentives for repeat EV buyers don't really grow the pool of EV owners — the dollars work hardest when they reach newcomers. If you've already gone electric, you're out of luck this round.

What to check before you sign

Before you commit at the financing desk, run through this quick list:

• Confirm the dealership and the specific model are part of one of the 15 participating automaker programs. Hyundai, Lucid, and Tesla rebates are live now; others roll out through fall.
• Verify the vehicle's retail price falls under the cap — $50,000 for new, $25,000 for used — and remember the discount applies to zero-emission vehicles only.
• Be ready to sign the first-time buyer declaration. This is a legal document, so make sure your history actually qualifies.
• Ask whether the $3,500 (or $1,750) comes off the purchase price directly. State officials have emphasized the rebate is instant at the dealer — unlike the old federal credit, which forced buyers to wait until tax season.

Where this leaves a first-time buyer

If you've been weighing your first EV purchase, the math just shifted in your favor by up to $3,500 — and you won't be waiting until April to see the benefit. For everyone who went electric before this program existed, this isn't your rebate. The California Air Resources Board is the agency to watch for the official participating-automaker list and any updates as more brands come online through the fall.