Electric Vehicle Offers and Rebates

Driving an electric vehicle reduces California Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions by as much as 80% per mile traveled. The UC Office of the President Sustainable Practices Policy strives for 4.5% of all commuter vehicles be zero-emission vehicles by 2025, and encourages commuters who drive to consider electric for their next vehicle purchase. In a short video, hear what local EV drivers have to say about their EV experience.

Federal rebates up to $7,500 for a plug-in electric vehicle and up to $7,000 in State CVRP rebates could be available to you depending on vehicle choice and tax liability issues. Please discuss these rebates with your dealer. 

The offers and rebates shown below are for information purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of any of the listed products, services or programs.

EV Rebates

Electric Vehicle Purchasing Assistance Available

The Monterey Bay Electric Vehicle Association (MBEVA), a local non-profit, is offering free assistance to help interested buyers learn how to purchase or lease a new or used electric vehicle at low or no cost by stacking various rebates and incentive offers. Special programs are also available for low-income households. Please contact them to participate in their electric vehicle purchasing program.

California State Clean Vehicle Rebate Program (CVRP)

California residents are eligible to receive up to $7,000 for the purchase or lease of a new, eligible zero-emission or plug-in hybrid light-duty vehicle. Visit the CVRP website for information about income thresholds, additional rebate amounts for lower-income households, and eligible vehicle types before purchasing or leasing a vehicle.

Clean Vehicle Assistance Program

The Clean Vehicle Assistance Program provides grants and affordable financing to help low-income Californians purchase a new or used hybrid or electric vehicle, to make green vehicles more accessible and affordable to all who qualify. Grants to install home electric vehicle chargers are also available to eligible individuals who purchase a battery-electric vehicle. $2,500 grants are available for hybrids and $5,000 for electric vehicles is available to qualified individuals. Please see https://cleanvehiclegrants.org/ for more information. Inquire with your dealer whether these grants may be stacked with CVRP funds.

Other Available Rebates

California Clean Fuel Reward is a new $1,500 discount available to anyone who buys or leases a new electric vehicle with a battery capacity greater than 5kWh.  The customer must register the vehicle in California and must reside in California. The instant electric vehicle reward is offered on a slide scale basis, depending on battery size, up to $1,500 and is taken off the purchase or lease price by the dealer.  Please be sure that your dealer is a participating vendor.

The Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) frequently offers Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito County residents Clean Vehicle Rebates on purchases of qualified new and certified used EVs. More information is available here. (This is currently closed for FY 20-21)

Central Coast Community Energy is also offering special pricing and rebates for the purchase or lease of an electric vehicle or home charging installation for eligible 3CE customers.

Home charging equipment rebates and vehicle insurance discounts are sometimes available through the California Air Resources Board. Check their website for more information.

EV Dealership Offers

UCSC TAPS has negotiated the following limited duration special promotion(s) for UC Staff, faculty and students for the purchase or lease of an electric vehicle.

BMW

BMW offers UCSC affiliates rebates on assorted vehicles. Interested staff can view the current monthly incentives, model availability, restrictions, and Terms and Conditions here. To receive the rebate, fill out the form and select The Regents of the University of California or “NEPP3616” under “Company Information.” Upon submission, a customized certificate will be sent to the email address provided and can be redeemed at any authorized BMW or MINI dealer in the US. BMW may terminate this offer at any time.

Be sure to bring the related promotion flyer, and your UCSC ID with you when visiting participating dealerships, and ask about the availability of Federal and State rebates to help lower the cost of your lease or purchase.