Gov. Gavin Newsom has introduced a new program offering instant rebates of up to $3,500 for Californians purchasing their first electric vehicle. The initiative, dubbed "MyFirstEV," is being presented as a direct counterpoint to former President Donald Trump's policies that Newsom contends favor fossil fuels and hinder the adoption of electric cars.
"While Donald Trump is hellbent on burning more expensive fossil fuels and raising costs for Americans, California is proving there’s a better way," Newsom stated. He criticized Trump for dismantling Biden-era electric vehicle policies, including efforts to block California's 2035 zero-emission vehicle rules and unwind federal incentives.
The program provides a $3,500 rebate for new zero-emission vehicles with a manufacturer's suggested retail price up to $50,000 and $1,750 for used vehicles priced up to $25,000, available through participating manufacturers' pre-owned programs. The state is allocating $135.5 million to the program, with automakers contributing a dollar-for-dollar match, resulting in a combined $271 million in incentives.
Hyundai, Lucid, and Tesla have already begun offering these rebates at the dealership level. Ford, Rivian, Chevrolet, and Kia are expected to join later in August, followed by Toyota, Lexus, Honda, and Subaru in September, and Mitsubishi in November. Nissan and Volvo have not yet announced their participation dates.
Newsom also highlighted advancements in California's renewable energy infrastructure, reporting that battery storage capacity has grown to 21,112 megawatts since he took office in 2019, an increase of over 2,500%. This includes large-scale grid batteries and smaller installations at homes and businesses. Solar power has also surpassed natural gas as the state's largest electricity source in the first half of 2026, with solar usage increasing 22% and natural gas use decreasing 51% during that period. Battery capacity grew by 80% over the same timeframe.
Despite these initiatives, a poll by the Public Policy Institute of California indicated that nearly two-thirds of Californians oppose the state's 2035 ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered cars.