Nearly 12,000 Californians have used MyFirstEV, the state's instant rebate for first-time zero-emission vehicle buyers, Gov. 's office announced Oct. 16, 2026.
MyFirstEV takes $3,500 off a new ZEV with an MSRP up to $50,000, or $1,750 off a used ZEV sold for up to $25,000 through manufacturers' pre-owned programs, at the point of sale, whether the car is bought at a dealership or directly from an automaker. It is open to any Californian buying a first ZEV. The program, launched in August by the governor and the California Air Resources Board, stems from a $135.5 million state investment matched dollar for dollar by participating automakers, for $271 million in combined savings, the release said.
The governor's office said ZEVs made up 19.1% of new car sales in California in the third quarter of 2026 and that Californians have bought almost 2.8 million ZEVs. It said more than 25,600 Californians work in ZEV manufacturing at 52 ZEV-related manufacturers based in the state.
The California Energy Commission said California has 224,438 shared charging ports installed statewide and is nearly 50% of the way to the 478,000 ports the state projects will be needed to support 6.8 million EVs by 2030; the release said continued charger expansion will support manufacturing, construction and installation jobs.
Rebates are still available through participating automakers, which the release listed as Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Toyota, Lucid, Nissan, Rivian, Subaru and Volvo. Toyota has also launched its own privately funded MyNextEV and MyLexusEV offers, which give Californians who have owned an EV before $2,500 off an eligible Toyota or Lexus electric car, the release said.
“Californians are tired of skyrocketing gas prices. They also deserve a healthy environment and to breathe clean air, in addition to lower costs,” said Secretary for Environmental Protection .
The governor’s office also announced a 2026 Zero-Emission Vehicle Market Development Strategy developed by GO-Biz; the release said the strategy is organized around four pillars; vehicles, infrastructure, end users and workforce; and that California has invested nearly $6.6 billion in ZEVs and chargers since 2021.
The release also framed the program politically, saying it helps Californians “ditch ’s high gas prices” and blaming the war in Iran for more than $135 billion in extra fuel costs nationwide, or more than $1,000 per household. It said drivers can save up to $2,000 a year on fuel by switching to electric.
State
Gavin Newsom
Governor · Democrat
Named once in this story.
Portrait: Official portrait
State
Yana Garcia
Secretary for Environmental Protection
Named once in this story.
Federal
Donald J. Trump
President of the United States · Republican
Named once in this story.
Portrait: Daniel Torok / The White House (public domain)
Sources & methodology
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