California Supercharges EV Adoption with New Stackable Rebates

July 20, 2026

Governor Newsom signs landmark $3,500 EV rebate into law, complementing 3CE’s Electrify Your Ride rebate program

MONTEREY, Calif., July 20, 2026 – Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) today announced the reopening of its popular Electrify Your Ride (EYR) rebate program, which has helped fund 1,912 EVs and home chargers across the Central Coast region so far this fiscal year.

To save even more, 3CE customers can now combine 3CE’s cash incentives with a $3,500 rebate offered under California’s brand-new MyFirstEV rebate for first-time buyers, announced earlier this week. Customers can combine, or “stack,” 3CE and state rebates to help purchase new and used EVs. 3CE also offers rebates for home chargers and installation costs.

“The ability for our customers to stack 3CE’s incentives with the new state rebate is a game-changer for Central Coast drivers,” said Chris Cook, Director of Energy Programs at 3CE. “This added affordability puts EVs within reach for our communities – helping us drive toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

To support convenient public charging, 3CE is rolling out a pilot project to install agency-owned public charging stations within its service area. The initiative is beginning with a partnership with the City of Santa Maria, where the first set of chargers is under construction and expected to be completed later this year.

New EYR rebate applications were temporarily paused for one week in early July and have since resumed. The program remains available to eligible customers interested in purchasing new or used electric vehicles, and 3CE plans to continue offering EV incentives in the next fiscal year.

Transportation accounts for 38% of greenhouse gas emissions in California, making the switch to electric vehicles one of the most effective actions households can take. Each fossil-fueled vehicle replaced with an EV means cleaner air for the Central Coast. Charging EVs in the middle of the day, when renewable energy is most available, further increases environmental benefit.

Since 2018, 3CE has helped fund 4,839 EV’s, 70 E-buses, and 4,072 EV chargers. As California continues to lead the nation in clean technology production and adoption, these investments benefit both the environment and the local economy; creating jobs, reducing fuel costs, and supporting local schools and communities.

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About Central Coast Community Energy

Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) is a public agency that sources competitively priced electricity from clean and renewable energy resources. 3CE is governed by local officials who represent the communities that make up 3CE –serving more than 1.2 million people throughout the Central Coast, including residential, commercial, and agricultural customers in Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz counties. Revenue generated by 3CE supports the transition to carbon-free power and is invested locally through innovative energy programs designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more at 3CEnergy.org and on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X/Twitter.