How Does California’s $3,500 EV Rebate Work?

posted by Kristi Wachter on August 8, 2026

Resistance is

First-time electric vehicle buyers in California could soon get thousands of dollars off the sticker price. Here’s how to apply.

KQED Carlos Cabrera-Lomelí July 17, 2026

Excerpt:

Newsom said on Monday that as the federal government pulls back from supporting EVs, California would instead be “putting its foot on the accelerator” — and that the instant rebate program would “[make] it easier for families to drive clean, breathe clean, and keep more money in their pockets.”

Become a KQED Sponsor

The program has secured $270 million in funding — half of that from the state budget and the other from participating EV automakers.

Read the whole thing:

How Does California’s $3,500 EV Rebate Work?

posted by Kristi Wachter on August 8, 2026

Want more good news?

Find more news about resistance, victories, and hopeful trends: weekly Extra! Extra! posts from Chop Wood, Carry Water; biweekly Just Good News posts from the Americans of Conscience Checklist; and Your Daily Dose of Climate Hope - plus pro-democracy protest photos every day from Today's Edition Newsletter.

October 17 - Vote Early Day

Vote Early - October 17

Join in a national day of voter participation on October 17 - join your neighbors in helping eligible voters understand their options and make a voting plan.

Check your voter registration
Make a plan to vote early
Help your friends and neighbors make a plan to vote early

Find events near you

Other things you can do:

Connect with Indivisible - join a local group or take action on your own or with friends
Use 5calls to call your legislators about whatever matters most to you
Check out Mobilize to find protests, postcard-writing parties, virtual events, and volunteer opportunities.

Now is a great time to take action.

Take Action

You can make a difference.

It's okay to start small.

Connect with Indivisible. They have groups all over the country and actions you can take on your own or with others.
Use 5calls to call your legislators about whatever matters most to you.
Check out Mobilize to find protests, postcard-writing parties, virtual events, and volunteer opportunities.

Action is the antidote to fear and despair.

Even doing small things - learning more about how we can strengthen our democracy, sharing what you know with others, making a phone call - can make a difference.

Right now is a great time to take action.

Get started

Resources

Recommended reading

Coming soon

Info on: donating; writing postcards; calling voters; tracking good news; and much more

Reference

Litigation Tracker - Just Security

Hope

Need hope? Read this.

Millions Stood Up