California MyFirstEV Rebate Calculator
Check if you qualify for California’s MyFirstEV point-of-sale rebate and see your net price after the discount.
Check Your Eligibility
Your Result
Complete the form above and click "Calculate My Rebate" to see your eligibility and estimated net price.
Estimate only. Final eligibility is determined by CARB and the participating dealer. Program funding is limited and subject to change. The federal EV tax credit is not available for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025.
How It Works
This calculator applies the MyFirstEV eligibility rules published by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). It checks four things: California residency, first-time ZEV buyer status, vehicle condition (new or used), and price against the program’s caps. The result is an estimate — final eligibility is determined by CARB and the participating dealer at the point of sale.
MyFirstEV Eligibility Rules (Quick Reference)
| Rule | New ZEV | Used ZEV |
|---|---|---|
| Rebate amount | $3,500 | $1,750 |
| Price cap | $50,000 MSRP | $25,000 purchase price |
| Vehicle type | ZEV only (no PHEV) | ZEV only (no PHEV) |
| Purchase channel | Franchised dealer | Manufacturer CPO program only |
| Income cap | None | None |
| Model year | Current model year or newer (see CARB FAQ) | At least two model years older |
Important Limitations
- Final eligibility is determined by CARB and the participating dealer — this tool is an estimate.
- Program funding is limited and first-come, first-served. Availability can change.
- Not all manufacturers have launched the incentive. Confirm your brand is participating via official CARB resources.
- The MSRP cap applies to the vehicle’s base MSRP; dealer-added options may not be included.
- Used vehicles must be purchased through the manufacturer’s certified pre-owned (CPO) program. Private sales and non-franchised dealerships do not qualify.
- This tool does not include local or utility incentives.
- The federal EV tax credit is not available for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a lease count as a previous ZEV?
The CARB attestation asks whether you have ever been named on a ZEV registration or title. A lease typically places your name on the registration, so a prior EV lease may disqualify you. Check the official CARB attestation language for your specific situation.
What if my spouse owned an EV?
The attestation applies to you individually. If your spouse was the sole named registrant on a previous ZEV and you were never named, you may still qualify. If you were jointly named, you likely do not. Consult CARB for guidance on household situations.
Can I buy from a private seller and still get the rebate?
No. Used vehicles must be purchased through the manufacturer’s certified pre-owned (CPO) program. Private sales and non-franchised dealerships do not qualify.
Can I stack MyFirstEV with other programs?
MyFirstEV is a point-of-sale rebate. Whether it can be combined with other programs depends on the specific rules of each program. Check with CARB and the administering agency for the other program.
Is the rebate taxed?
This is not tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional about how the rebate may affect your tax situation.
Official Sources
- California Air Resources Board (CARB) — MyFirstEV program rules, eligibility definitions, and participating manufacturers.
- Governor of California press release (October 16, 2026) — program milestone and overview.
- IRS — federal EV tax credit expiration for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025.
California MyFirstEV Rebate Calculator: Check Eligibility & See Your Net Price
California’s MyFirstEV program gives first-time zero-emission vehicle buyers $3,500 off a new EV (MSRP of $50,000 or less for most manufacturers) or $1,750 off a used EV (purchase price of $25,000 or less, bought through a manufacturer’s certified pre-owned program). It is a point-of-sale discount, not a tax credit, and it is applied directly at the dealership. Use the calculator below to check whether you qualify and see what you would pay after the rebate.
Check Your Eligibility
The calculator applies the same eligibility rules published by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). It asks four questions and returns an estimated rebate amount and net price. The result is an estimate: final eligibility is determined by CARB and the participating dealer at the time of purchase.
What the Calculator Checks
- California residency. You must be a California resident.
- First-time ZEV status. You must not have been named on a previous ZEV registration or title. This includes prior leases where your name appeared on the registration. A self-attestation form is required.
- Vehicle condition. New vehicles and used vehicles have different rebate amounts and price limits.
- Price against the applicable cap. The $50,000 MSRP limit applies to most new vehicles. The $25,000 purchase-price limit applies to used vehicles. A California-headquartered OEM exemption changes the calculation for certain new vehicles.
MyFirstEV Eligibility Rules (Quick Reference)
The table below summarizes the core rules for new and used vehicles. All figures reflect the program as published by CARB in 2026. Program funding is limited and first-come, first-served, so availability can change before your purchase.
| Rule | New ZEV | Used ZEV |
|---|---|---|
| Rebate amount | $3,500 | $1,750 |
| Price limit | $50,000 MSRP (waived for California-headquartered, EV-only manufacturers) | $25,000 purchase price |
| Model year | 2026 or newer | At least two model years older than the purchase year (e.g., a 2026 purchase requires a 2024 or older model) |
| Vehicle type | ZEV only (BEV or fuel cell; no plug-in hybrids) | ZEV only (BEV or fuel cell; no plug-in hybrids) |
| Purchase channel | Franchised brand dealership | Manufacturer’s certified pre-owned (CPO) program only; private dealerships and private sales do not qualify |
| Income limit | None | None |
| Curb weight limit | 8,500 pounds or less | 8,500 pounds or less |
California residents purchasing a new ZEV can receive the incentive at the point of sale, with the dealer and manufacturer handling the paperwork. The program is not retroactive: a vehicle ordered or purchased before a participating manufacturer made the incentive available is not eligible. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are excluded because they have gasoline engines that produce tailpipe emissions. Private dealerships cannot participate; only franchised brand dealerships that sell OEM certified pre-owned vehicles are eligible.
What the Calculator Cannot Confirm
Manufacturer Participation
Eligibility under the program rules does not guarantee that your chosen manufacturer has launched the incentive. The program’s launch and availability vary by manufacturer and dealership, and incentives are offered only while funding lasts. Before you buy, confirm that your brand is actively participating by checking CARB’s published manufacturer information or asking the dealer directly.
Funding Status
MyFirstEV is backed by a one-time state appropriation of $135.5 million, matched by participating automakers, for a combined pool of roughly $270 million. The program is first-come, first-served. A manufacturer’s allocation can be exhausted before the broader program funding runs out, so the calculator’s result reflects rule eligibility, not guaranteed fund availability at the moment of purchase.
Certified Pre-Owned Verification
For used vehicles, the calculator can check the $25,000 price limit and the model-year rule, but it cannot verify that the specific vehicle is sold through the manufacturer’s certified pre-owned program. The CARB FAQ is explicit: used vehicles “may only be purchased from manufacturers as certified pre-owned vehicles”. Confirm CPO status with the selling dealer before relying on the rebate.
The California-Headquartered OEM Exemption, Explained
For most manufacturers, a new ZEV must have an MSRP of $50,000 or less to qualify for the $3,500 rebate. However, the MSRP and sales-price caps do not apply to “California-headquartered zero-emission vehicle companies as defined per Health and Safety Code §43215”. In practice, this exemption applies to Rivian (headquartered in Irvine) and Lucid (headquartered in Newark), both of which sell vehicles priced well above the standard cap. A Rivian R1S priced around $95,000 or a Lucid Air priced around $71,000 can still receive the full $3,500 under the exemption.
The exemption does not apply to Tesla, which moved its corporate headquarters from California to Austin, Texas, in 2021. Only Tesla configurations priced under $50,000 can qualify through the standard MSRP rule. If you are considering a new Lucid or Rivian, select the manufacturer in the calculator to see the rebate without the MSRP cap applied. For all other manufacturers, the $50,000 cap remains in effect.
MyFirstEV vs. the Federal EV Tax Credit: What Changed
The federal clean vehicle tax credit is no longer available for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. The IRS clarified that the credit terminates for vehicles “acquired” after that date; a written binding contract and payment made before September 30, 2025 could preserve eligibility under transition rules, but that window has closed. California’s MyFirstEV program is not a tax credit. It is a state-funded point-of-sale rebate, applied immediately at the dealership, and it should not be confused with the expired federal credit when you are estimating your net price.
MyFirstEV can be combined with other incentive programs. CARB’s FAQ states that MyFirstEV “can be stacked” with other programs, subject to the rules of each program. The calculator does not attempt to model stacking with local, utility, or income-qualified programs; it isolates the MyFirstEV component only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a lease count as a previous ZEV?
The eligibility standard is whether you have ever been named on a ZEV registration or title. A lease typically places your name on the registration, so a prior EV lease may disqualify you from the first-time buyer category. Only one MyFirstEV incentive is allowed per individual. Review the CARB self-attestation language carefully before applying.
What if my spouse owned an EV?
The attestation applies to you as the buyer. If your spouse was the sole named registrant on a previous ZEV and you were never named, you may still meet the first-time buyer definition. If you were jointly named on the registration or title, you likely do not. Household situations can be fact-specific; consult CARB’s official attestation guidance for your circumstances.
Can I buy from a private seller and still get the rebate?
No. Used ZEVs must be purchased from a franchised brand dealership through the manufacturer’s certified pre-owned program. Private dealerships are not eligible to participate, and private-party sales do not qualify.
Is the rebate taxed?
This is not tax advice. The MyFirstEV rebate is a point-of-sale vehicle discount administered by CARB and participating manufacturers. Tax treatment can depend on your individual situation. Consult a qualified tax professional if you need guidance on how the rebate affects your taxes.
Can I stack MyFirstEV with other California programs?
CARB states that MyFirstEV can be stacked with other incentive programs, but each program has its own rules. Income-qualified programs such as the Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) and Regional Clean Cars 4 All operate alongside MyFirstEV and may have different eligibility criteria. Check the administering agency’s rules for any program you plan to combine with MyFirstEV.
Which vehicles qualify?
Qualifying vehicles are zero-emission vehicles, including battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles. Plug-in hybrids are excluded. New vehicles must be model year 2026 or newer. Used vehicles must be at least two model years older than the purchase year and priced at $25,000 or less, and must be sold through a manufacturer’s CPO program. The vehicle must have a curb weight of 8,500 pounds or less.
Official Sources
- CARB — MyFirstEV: Frequently Asked Questions: official eligibility definitions, vehicle requirements, CPO rules, funding details, and the California-headquartered OEM exemption.
- California Air Resources Board: program announcements, participating manufacturer information, and implementation updates.
- Internal Revenue Service guidance on the termination of the federal clean vehicle credit for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025.
Related Tools and Guides
Once you have an estimate from this calculator, these related resources can help you evaluate the rest of the ownership decision:
Related Tools and Guides
Once you have an estimate from this calculator, these related tools can help you evaluate the rest of the ownership decision:
- EV Ownership Cost Calculator USA: compare monthly and 10-year ownership costs, including charging and maintenance.
- EV Battery Aging Calculator: estimate how battery capacity and range may change over time.
- Used EV Battery Risk & Replacement Cost Calculator: check battery health risk and replacement costs before buying a used EV.
- EV Loan Interest Deduction Calculator: calculate the federal auto loan interest deduction for tax years 2025–2028.
Estimate only. Final eligibility is determined by CARB and the participating dealer at the point of sale. Program funding is limited, manufacturer participation varies, and the federal EV tax credit is not available for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. This page does not provide tax or legal advice.
- CARB — MyFirstEV: Frequently Asked Questions: the primary official source for eligibility rules, vehicle requirements, the California-headquartered OEM exemption, and program funding details[reference:0][reference:1].
- CARB — California launches MyFirstEV instant rebate program for first-time buyers: the official launch announcement confirming rebate amounts, the $50,000 and $25,000 price caps, manufacturer participation timelines, and the combined $270 million funding pool[reference:2][reference:3].
- IRS — Clean vehicle tax credits: the authoritative federal source confirming that the New Clean Vehicle Credit, Previously-Owned Clean Vehicle Credit, and Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit are not available for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025[reference:4].
- U.S. Department of Energy — Alternative Fuels Data Center: California Laws and Incentives: a comprehensive federal database of current California EV incentives, including income-qualified programs and charging infrastructure grants that may complement MyFirstEV[reference:5][reference:6].
- California Air Resources Board (CARB): the administering agency’s main portal for MyFirstEV program updates, participating manufacturer information, and official announcements as they become available[reference:7].