What is MyFirstEV and how does it work for consumers?
MyFirstEV offers California residents a point-of-sale incentive for first-time zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) buyers to purchase or lease a new or used ZEV. The incentive is applied immediately at the point-of-sale, making the incentive simple to use by reducing paperwork and eliminating reimbursement wait times. The incentive launch and availability will vary by manufacturer and dealership. MyFirstEV is not retroactive and vehicles ordered or purchased before a participating manufacturer made their incentive available will not receive the incentive.
Which vehicles qualify for the incentive?
Zero-emission vehicles qualify for the incentive, including battery electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are not eligible as zero-emission vehicles because they have gasoline engines that produce tailpipe emissions.
Vehicles must be model year 2026 and newer. For non-California headquartered original equipment manufacturers (OEM), new vehicles must have an MSRP of $50,000 or less. Used vehicles must have a purchase price of $25,000 or less, be at least two model years older than the year of purchase, and may only be purchased from manufacturers as certified pre‑owned vehicles. Manufacturers have discretion on offering the incentive for new and used vehicles or new vehicles only. Private dealerships are not eligible. MSRP and sales price caps do not apply to California-headquartered zero-emission vehicle companies as defined per Health and Safety Code §43215.
I run a private dealership. Can I participate in MyFirstEV?
No. MyFirstEV is a partnership between automakers and the California Air Resources Board. Private dealerships are not eligible for MyFirstEV. Only franchised brand dealerships that sell OEM certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles are eligible. If you are one of them, a representative of the vehicle manufacturer will communicate with its dealers regarding participation.
What is the total amount of funding allocated to MyFirstEV?
MyFirstEV received a one-time appropriation of $135.5 million.
How many vehicles are consumers projected to purchase because of this $135.5 million investment?
CARB projects that MyFirstEV could incentivize over 73,000 ZEVs.
What are the advantages of CARB partnering directly with OEMs?
Partnering directly with OEMs allows MyFirstEV to launch quickly, delivers point-of-sale incentives, and ensures that CARB’s investment is doubled through OEM matching. This approach also streamlines coordination on program design, marketing, and implementation, resulting in a smoother rollout and stronger consumer awareness.
What is the expected timeline for consumers to receive the incentive?
CARB launched MyFirstEV by establishing grant agreements with OEMs so the incentive can benefit consumers as quickly as possible. Incentives and eligible model availability vary by participating OEM and the incentive will be offered only while funding lasts. OEMs are promoting available incentives and publishing eligible models and trim levels on their websites.
Is any of this funding directed towards low-income consumers?
Low-income consumers are fully eligible for MyFirstEV, and the MSRP cap ensures state funds support mainstream, affordable vehicles. Used ZEVs also qualify, expanding access to lower cost options. To further support low-income households, the Legislature established complementary programs—CARB’s Driving Clean Assistance Program, Regional Clean Cars 4 All and Clean Mobility Options—that provide more options to address low-income consumers’ specific clean transportation needs.
Can MyFirstEV be stacked with other incentive programs?
Yes. MyFirstEV can be stacked with other CARB vehicle incentive programs such as the Driving Clean Assistance Program and Clean Cars 4 All, as well as non-CARB incentives.
Is there a limit to how many incentives each consumer can receive?
Yes. This program is designed to help first-time ZEV buyers make the switch to clean vehicles. To ensure the benefits reach as many new ZEV drivers as possible, each individual is limited to one incentive for the lifetime of the program.
I bought my first EV recently or before the program launched. Can I be reimbursed?
MyFirstEV is not retroactive. To qualify for the incentive, the purchase or lease of an eligible vehicle must occur after the program officially launched and after the participating manufacturer began offering it to customers. If you purchased a qualifying vehicle before the manufacturer began offering the incentive, you are not eligible.
Am I eligible for MyFirstEV if I owned an EV in another state but now I’m a California resident?
No. MyFirstEV is intended for people purchasing their first zero-emission vehicle. Any previous zero-emission vehicle ownership, even in another state, disqualifies you from MyFirstEV.
Can I apply for MyFirstEV after I have made an EV purchase?
No. MyFirstEV is a price reduction that occurs at the dealership or from the automaker at the point of the sale. It is not a post-sale rebate.
I'm buying an EV with a co-signer who has previously owned an EV. Am I eligible for MyFirstEV?
Eligibility depends on whether the person has ever been listed on the registration or title of a previously owned or leased electric vehicle. If the person who will be on the registration or title for a vehicle using the MyFirstEV incentive has not been on an EV registration or title before, they are eligible. If they were listed on a past EV registration or title, they are not eligible for the incentive.
Will incentive recipients be required to keep their vehicles for a minimum length of time?
No. However, vehicles purchased with this incentive cannot be delivered or registered to an address outside of California.
How will CARB and OEMs prevent consumer fraud and ensure dealers and OEMs are not raising prices to match incentive amounts?
CARB will work with OEMs to prevent fraud and ensure incentives only go toward eligible vehicles and first-time ZEV buyers or lessees, verified through self-attestation forms signed by participating consumers under penalty of perjury. Because MSRPs are set nationally by manufacturers, CARB will monitor MSRP and sales prices and will work with OEMs if any issues are detected.
Will MyFirstEV continue after the 2026-27 fiscal year?
The Governor’s Budget allocated one-time funding that must be expended by September 1, 2031.
Why are California-based OEMs excluded from the MSRP and purchase price caps?
The exemption included in the budget bill language is intended to bolster the state’s ZEV market innovation and reflects the Legislature’s commitment to supporting California-based companies. Additionally, supporting California-based manufacturers aligns with the state’s economic development goals, helping sustain high value jobs in clean technology sectors while reinforcing the economic ecosystem around ZEV production and supply chains.
Why is the focus on the deployment of light-duty ZEVs rather than medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs?
With the expiration of the federal tax credit for ZEVs, California faces a critical moment in sustaining momentum toward clean transportation. Without this federal incentive, consumer demand for light-duty ZEVs could slow, jeopardizing progress toward air quality and climate goals. MyFirstEV is designed to fill that gap by providing targeted support that stabilizes the market and encourages continued growth. By reducing upfront costs and maintaining affordability, the program will help ensure that ZEV adoption remains strong, fostering innovation, improving public health, and reinforcing California’s leadership in the transition to zero-emission transportation.
Reducing emissions from medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses is also critically important to achieve clean air and meet climate goals. With that goal in mind, the legislature appropriated $135.5 million for the Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). Additionally, incentive funding for zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is currently available through long-standing programs such as the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program and the newly launched California Clean Fuel Reward.