Nearly 12,000 California residents have purchased electric vehicles through the state’s MyFirstEV rebate program, according to a Reuters report and a statement from Governor Gavin Newsom’s office.
The program offers rebates of up to $3,500 for eligible new zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and up to $1,750 for used vehicles. It received $135.5 million in state funding, matched by participating automakers.
The initiative continues to offer rebates through participating manufacturers, including Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, Lucid, Nissan, Rivian, Subaru and Volvo. Tesla models are no longer eligible for the remaining program funds, according to the reports.
State Rebates Support EV Purchases
MyFirstEV is part of California’s efforts to support the adoption of zero-emission vehicles by reducing the upfront cost for eligible buyers.
The latest reported purchase figures indicate that thousands of residents have used the incentive to acquire vehicles. However, the program’s continued availability depends on remaining funding and eligibility requirements.
The initiative follows a broader state effort to subsidise electric vehicle purchases. Over approximately a decade, California spent $1.49 billion supporting 586,000 EV purchases through previous incentive programmes, according to the cited reporting.
EV Sales Face Changes in Federal Incentives
California’s rebate programme comes as the US electric vehicle market adjusts to changes in federal incentives. Overall EV sales in California and nationwide have declined following 2025 legislation that eliminated federal EV tax credits, according to the Reuters report.
The change has affected the financial incentives available to buyers in the United States, even as global electric vehicle sales continue to increase.
State-level programmes such as MyFirstEV provide a separate source of purchase support, although their reach depends on funding levels, participating manufacturers and the vehicles covered.
California Plans Wider Zero-Emission Vehicle Support
California is also pursuing a broader Zero-Emission Vehicle Market Development Strategy intended to support the state’s transition to zero-emission transportation and its position in the global EV market.
The strategy extends beyond individual purchase rebates and forms part of the state’s wider approach to vehicle adoption and market development.
The longer-term impact of the MyFirstEV programme will depend on its remaining budget, the number of eligible vehicles available and how consumers respond to changes in state and federal incentives.
