The $3,500 MyFirstEV Rebate on a 2026 or 2027 Chevy EV in California

How Does the $3,500 MyFirstEV Rebate Work at a Chevrolet Dealer?

MyFirstEV is a $3,500 rebate on an eligible new Chevrolet electric vehicle. It is a point-of-sale rebate funded jointly by the California Air Resources Board and General Motors. CARB contributes $1,750 and GM matches it with $1,750.

The rebate does not reduce the vehicle’s sale price. You and the dealership agree on the sale price first. Taxes and license fees are figured on that sale price. Before the rebate can be applied, you must complete the CARB attestation form and receive your confirmation number. Once you provide that confirmation number at the dealership, the rebate is applied as its own line on your purchase contract or lease agreement. Nothing is mailed to you after the sale, and there is no state tax return to wait on.

How the Rebate Appears on Your Paperwork

Figures shown are an example only and are not an offer. Your sale price, taxes, license fees and final amount due will differ. Your purchase contract or lease agreement governs the actual figures.

Eligibility turns on two things about you: you are a California resident with a valid California driver’s license, and you are buying or leasing your first zero-emission vehicle in California.

What the Program Covers

MyFirstEV applies to new battery-electric and fuel-cell vehicles. To qualify, the vehicle must be a light-duty passenger zero-emission vehicle from the 2026 model year or newer, with a base MSRP no higher than $50,000. It must be purchased or leased, delivered, and registered in California.

On your end, you complete a digital CARB attestation form confirming this is your first zero-emission vehicle. CARB emails you a confirmation number and a PDF confirmation memo. Bring that number to the dealership. The rebate cannot be applied until the attestation is approved and the confirmation number is in hand.

MyFirstEV rebate for new zero emission vehicle purchases or leases applies to models with a base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $50,000.00 or less available at participating dealers. MSRP excludes options, destination charges, taxes, title, license and fees. Eligible vehicles must be purchased, delivered, and registered in California by California residents meeting MyFirstEV eligibility requirements, including being a first time EV purchaser or lessee and successfully submitting a CARB Attestation Form demonstrating eligibility. Other restrictions and limitations may apply, and program is subject to change.

How CARB Measures the $50,000 Cap

The cap is measured against the base model with its standard equipment and factory warranty. It leaves out optional equipment, the destination freight charge, accessories, dealer fees and markups, documentation fees, and taxes.

The test also looks at the model’s base MSRP, not the price of the specific vehicle you configure. If a model’s base MSRP comes in under $50,000, the model clears the cap. Final eligibility still comes down to the individual vehicle and the manufacturer’s current program terms, so confirm the exact model, model year, trim and VIN with our team before you sign.

Two Things That Decide Whether the Rebate Is Available

First, where you buy matters. MyFirstEV is not a Chevrolet-only program — thirteen automakers signed agreements with the state, General Motors among them — and the rebate can only be applied by a dealer that has enrolled in the program and signed the participation agreement. Riverside Chevrolet is an enrolled MyFirstEV dealer. Chevrolet’s participation went live in August 2026, and a vehicle ordered or purchased before its manufacturer began participating cannot be credited after the fact.

Second, the funding is finite. Each participating manufacturer draws from its own allocation, and the program runs until the money is gone. Call ahead to confirm current availability before you commit.

Program funded in part by CARB and California Climate Investments. MyFirstEV is part of California Climate Investments, which uses billions of Cap-and-Invest dollars to fund projects that reduce harmful emissions, protect public health, strengthen local economies, and support natural environments. With a strong focus on communities most impacted by pollution and limited access to resources, California Climate Investments helps build a more equitable and sustainable future.

Tax credits, rebates, grants, and other incentives referenced here are administered by government agencies, utilities, or manufacturers, not by the dealership. Eligibility requirements, funding availability, qualifying vehicles, income limits, and program deadlines are set by the administering entity and are subject to change, suspension, or exhaustion of funds without notice. Incentives are generally not retroactive. Amounts shown are maximums, and individual eligibility and award amounts vary. Confirm current program terms with the administering agency before purchase. This information is general in nature and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Consult a qualified tax professional regarding your individual situation.

Which Chevy EVs Qualify for the $3,500 MyFirstEV Rebate?

Three Chevrolet electric vehicles currently clear the MyFirstEV price cap. Because the cap is measured against a model’s base MSRP rather than a configured vehicle’s price, a higher trim of an eligible model is not automatically priced out of the program.

That surprises shoppers who assume a well-equipped Blazer EV is priced out of the program. It may not be, because the cap is set against the model’s base MSRP. Eligibility for any specific vehicle still depends on the manufacturer’s current program terms and available funding, so confirm the individual vehicle with our team before you sign.

MyFirstEV rebate for new zero emission vehicle purchases or leases applies to models with a base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $50,000.00 or less available at participating dealers. MSRP excludes options, destination charges, taxes, title, license and fees. Vehicle eligibility, model availability and funding are set by the administering agency and the participating manufacturer and are subject to change without notice. Confirm eligibility for a specific vehicle with the dealership before purchase or lease.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for new vehicles includes manufacturer and distributor options and delivery, process and handling fees, which may be subject to change at any time. MSRP excludes taxes, title, license and dealer installed options, accessories, fees and charges. MSRP is not the dealer advertised price. Dealer price will vary. The dealer sets the final price.

What Documentation Do You Need to Claim the MyFirstEV Rebate?

MyFirstEV paperwork is handled at the store, during the sale. Here is what to bring.

Completing the attestation before you come in keeps the process moving on the day you buy or lease.

One More Rule Worth Knowing

California Senate Bill 168 prohibits reselling or re-leasing a vehicle purchased or leased with a MyFirstEV rebate in another state for four years from the date of purchase or lease. If you expect to move out of state in the near term, factor that in before you sign.

Program terms, including resale and transfer restrictions, are set by the State of California and the administering agency and are subject to change. This information is general in nature and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Confirm current program terms with the administering agency before purchase or lease.

What Broader Trend Does California’s State-Led EV Incentive Approach Reflect?

MyFirstEV shows states teaming up with carmakers to keep EV sales moving. The federal purchase credit ended in September 2025. California committed Cap-and-Invest funding through California Climate Investments, and participating automakers matched it dollar for dollar. The result trades a slow tax refund for savings you see in the showroom.

The design puts the savings up front instead of months later. Applying the rebate at the desk helps working families who might otherwise be priced out. The $50,000 cap steers the funds toward everyday vehicles instead of luxury ones.

A point-of-sale rebate aimed at first-time buyers and lessees shows how state policy can keep clean transportation moving on its own, whatever happens in Washington.

Frequently Asked Questions About the MyFirstEV Rebate

Does the $3,500 MyFirstEV rebate require a separate tax application after I purchase my Chevy EV?

No. The MyFirstEV rebate is applied at the dealership as a point-of-sale rebate on your purchase contract or lease agreement. You do not need to wait until tax season or file additional state tax paperwork. Once your CARB attestation is approved and you provide the confirmation number during the transaction, the rebate is applied against the amount due.

Can I use MyFirstEV on a used or certified pre-owned Chevrolet EV?

The MyFirstEV program includes a separate $1,750 rebate for an eligible manufacturer-certified pre-owned zero-emission vehicle priced at $25,000 or less and at least two model years older than the year of purchase. Whether that tier is currently active for certified pre-owned Chevrolet EVs depends on the manufacturer’s program terms, which can change. Call us to confirm before you shop. The $3,500 rebate described on this page applies to eligible new Chevrolet electric vehicles.

Which Chevy EV models qualify for the full $3,500 MyFirstEV state rebate?

The Chevrolet Bolt, Chevrolet Equinox EV and Chevrolet Blazer EV all carry a base MSRP below the program’s $50,000 cap. Because the cap is measured against a model’s base MSRP rather than a configured vehicle’s price, higher-output and all-wheel-drive versions are not automatically excluded. Silverado EV is above the cap and is not eligible. Confirm eligibility for a specific vehicle with our team before you sign.

Can I sell my Chevy EV if I bought it with the MyFirstEV rebate?

California Senate Bill 168 prohibits reselling or re-leasing a MyFirstEV-incentivized vehicle in another state for four years from the date of purchase or lease. The vehicle must also be purchased or leased, delivered, and registered in California to qualify in the first place.

Take the Next Step Toward Your New Chevy EV

MyFirstEV is straightforward once you know the rules. Once your CARB attestation is approved, the rebate is applied at the desk the day you buy or lease, not weeks later at tax time. What matters most is completing your CARB attestation ahead of time and confirming funding is still available for the Chevrolet you want.

Riverside Chevrolet is enrolled in MyFirstEV, so the rebate is applied here at the desk. Our team can walk you through today’s pricing, trade-in valuation, and program paperwork. Visit our Riverside showroom to compare the Bolt, Equinox EV, and Blazer EV in person, or call to check current MyFirstEV funding availability and set up a test drive.

Disclaimers

Program funded in part by CARB and California Climate Investments. MyFirstEV is part of California Climate Investments, which uses billions of Cap-and-Invest dollars to fund projects that reduce harmful emissions, protect public health, strengthen local economies, and support natural environments. With a strong focus on communities most impacted by pollution and limited access to resources, California Climate Investments helps build a more equitable and sustainable future.

MyFirstEV rebate for new zero emission vehicle purchases or leases applies to models with a base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $50,000.00 or less available at participating dealers. MSRP excludes options, destination charges, taxes, title, license and fees. Eligible vehicles must be purchased, delivered, and registered in California by California residents meeting MyFirstEV eligibility requirements, including being a first time EV purchaser or lessee and successfully submitting a CARB Attestation Form demonstrating eligibility. Other restrictions and limitations may apply, and program is subject to change.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for new vehicles includes manufacturer and distributor options and delivery, process and handling fees, which may be subject to change at any time. MSRP excludes taxes, title, license and dealer installed options, accessories, fees and charges. MSRP is not the dealer advertised price. Dealer price will vary. The dealer sets the final price.

Any payment, sale price, tax, license or fee figures shown on this page are examples for illustration only and are not an offer. Your purchase contract or lease agreement governs the actual figures.

Tax credits, rebates, grants, and other incentives referenced here are administered by government agencies, utilities, or manufacturers, not by the dealership. Eligibility requirements, funding availability, qualifying vehicles, income limits, and program deadlines are set by the administering entity and are subject to change, suspension, or exhaustion of funds without notice. Incentives are generally not retroactive. Amounts shown are maximums, and individual eligibility and award amounts vary. Confirm current program terms with the administering agency before purchase. This information is general in nature and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Consult a qualified tax professional regarding your individual situation.