Electric Vehicle Resources

(Updated October 2022)

Replacing your gas-powered vehicle with an Electric Vehicle (EV) is an effective way to reduce your carbon footprint, save money, and keep Hayward's air clean! Bay Area residents have access to resources and programs that make owning or leasing an EV convenient and affordable.

Clean Vehicle Incentives & Rebates

  • Federal Tax Credit: Purchase of new vehicle, up to $7,500, depending on vehicle type, includes plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles. Congress recently passed new legislation (Inflation Reduction Act of 2022), which changes credit amounts and requirements for clean energy vehicles. Changes include qualifying vehicles must be assembled in North America, there are eligibility limits on both the price of the vehicle and income of the buyer, used EVs sold by dealers will be eligible for a one-time tax credit, and manufacturer vehicle sales cap will no longer be in effect starting in 2023. Edmunds offers a reader-friendly article explaining the tax credit. Full guidance from the IRS can be found here.
  • CA State Rebate (Clean Vehicle Rebate Project): Purchase or lease of new vehicle, $1,000 - $7,000, depending on vehicle type and income level, includes electric, plug-in hybrid electric, fuel cell vehicles, and zero emission motorcycles. As of March 15, 2022, Tesla vehicles are no longer eligible. The standard rebate for an all-electric car is $2,000, with an additional $2,500 for income qualified drivers.
  • California Clean Fuel Reward: There is temporarily no reward amount. More information about the temporary reduction can be found here. Purchase or lease of new vehicle, up to $750, depending on vehicle type, includes new battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle.
  • PG&E Empower EV Program: PG&E will offer incentives of up to $2,500 per income-elgible single family household to help cover the cost of purchasing and installing EV charging equipment.
  • Clean Air Vehicle Decals: Drive in the HOV lane even if driving alone. Currently the fee for a decal is $22. If you purchased a vehicle on or after January 1, 2018, a Clear Air Vehicle decal cannot be issued to you if you received a consumer rebate through the Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, unless you meet specified gross annual income requirements.
  • Reduced EV PG&E Rates: PG&E customers with electric cars receive special “time of use rates” when it is cheaper to charge.
  • California's Vehicle Retirement Consumer Assistance Program: Incentives between $1,000 to $1,500 to support the retirement of old, polluting vehicles. Eligibility is based on household income and the detailed requirements can be found here.
  • Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Tax Exemption: Beginning July 1, 2022, 50% of the retail sales and state use tax does not apply to the sale or lease of the first 650 purchases of new passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles powered by fuel cells.

Income Qualified Programs

  • Clean Vehicle Assistance Program: Statewide program provides loans and grants (up to $5,000) for the purchase or lease of new or used battery electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid, or hybrid electric vehicle. Charging grants (up to $2,000) available with purchase of battery electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid.
     
  • Community Housing Development Corporation, Driving Clean Assistance Program: Regional program serving Bay Area counties to provide vehicle loans (up to $30,000) with an interest rate of 8% or lower for your clean vehicle purchase and grants (up to $5,000) from the State of California Air Resources Board to purchase new or used battery electric, plug-in electric, and hybrid electric vehicles. You may qualify for an additional grant (up to $2,000) for a Level 2 home charging station installations with purchase of qualifying vehicles. Also offers a financial education program.
     
  • Clean Cars for All: Grants for income-qualified Bay Area residents to retire their older car (model year 2005 or older) and replace it with a plug-in hybrid, battery, or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, or get a pre-paid card for public transit or e-bikes. Your household income and the vehicle you choose will determine the amount of money you can receive from this program. Grants for a plug-in hybrid, battery electric, and fuel cell vehicles range from $5,500 - $9,500. A pre-paid card for public transit or e-bikes are up to $7,500. Additionally, up to $2,000 of funding is available for a Level 2 charger equipment and installation, with purchase of a plug-in hybrid or battery electric vehicle. An additional $500 will be awarded to clean vehicle grantees that are enrolled in a qualifying low-income program.
  • Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit: Consumers who purchase qualified residential fueling equipment between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2032, may receive a tax credit up to $1,000.

Insurance Discount Programs

  • Farmers Insurance: Offers a 10% discount on all major coverages for those who drive hybrids and other alternative fuel vehicles. A complete VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is required to validate vehicle eligibility. 
  • Travelers Insurance: Offers up to a 10% discount on most major coverages for those who drive hybrid or electric vehicles.

Group Discount Programs

  • Drive Clean Bay Area Group Discount: Twice a year, Drive Clean Bay Area organizes limited-time savings events with discounted pricing on a variety of new battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. With the preferred pricing, buyers can still take full advantage of all government, utility, manufacturer, and Costco incentives. The current Preferred Pricing Campaign ends October 14, 2022.

Charging Locators

Consumer Resources

  • Plug In America: Connects you with qualified EV dealers and provides resources, such as PlugStar- a tool that can categorize electric cars based on price, electric range, popularity, provides information on incentives, and offers predictions on fueling an electric car.
  • PG&E: Compares electric vehicles by price, range, and cost of ownership.
  • National Drive Electric Week (NDEW): Offering ride and drives and the opportunity to talk to EV drivers and see a variety of cars. Annual events are hosted nationwide in the fall, and also around Earth Day in April. The next NDEW will take place in fall 2023.
  • Golden Gate Electric Vehicle Association (GGA): Non-profit that provides electric car education, support, and advocacy. GGA has monthly meetings in San Francisco.
  • My Green Car: Free phone app that detects your driving and records your trips to recommend a list of electric cars.

Used Electric Car Dealerships

Rose Motorcars: has a large selection of used electric cars. Located in Hayward.

Green Light: has a large selection of used electric cars. Located in Daly City.