Central Coast Community Energy Launches Electrify Your Ride Program – $4 Million in Incentives for Electric Vehicles and Chargers To Accelerate Clean Transportation

November 29, 2022

Enhanced Benefits for Income-Qualified Participants,

Technical Assistance for EV charging infrastructure projects

MONTEREY, Calif., Nov. 29, 2022 – Starting now, Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE) residential and commercial customers can apply to the Electrify Your Ride Program, which provides rebates for new or pre-owned electric vehicles (EV), Level 2 chargers, and electrical work related to charger installation (EV readiness). This is the third iteration of the Electrify Your Ride Program after CCCE fully subscribed and successfully disbursed $2.95 million to customers in Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz counties last fiscal year.

New this year, CCCE will provide technical assistance opportunities for multifamily and commercial property owners when installing electric vehicle charging stations. Providing EV charging infrastructure at multifamily buildings makes it easier for residents living in apartments or condos to charge their electric vehicle at home.

Transportation is responsible for about 41% of the Central Coast’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. California will require all new passenger cars and trucks sold in the state be emissions free by 2035—a move that is expected lead to more than a 35% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and an 80% cut in nitrogen oxide emissions, according to the World Resources Institute. CCCE is committed to being a leader in California’s transition from fossil fuels to clean energy resources in the transportation sector.

CCCE rebates for electric vehicles start at $1,000 for used and $2,000 for new vehicles respectively and top out at $4,000 for select income-qualified applicants. Electric motorcycle rebates range from $1,000 – $2,000. EV charger equipment rebates range from $400 – $700 with up to $2,000 – $4,000 available for EV charger installation cost recovery, including labor costs. Commercial customers are eligible for additional funding to accommodate multiple vehicles and chargers. CCCE will award plug-in hybrid vehicle rebates only to income-qualified applicants this year.

“We’re pushing out substantial rebates this year while ensuring our Electrify Your Ride Program is tailored to better meet all our customers’ needs,” said Jon Griesser, CCCE’s Director of Energy Programs. “We received about 700 applications from underserved customers and disbursed more than $1 million to these customers last fiscal year. Electrify Your Ride is one of many of our energy programs that fosters equity and reduces barriers to access our rebates.”

CCCE’s Electrify Your Ride Program included an e-bike pilot last fiscal year, which provided 1,235 customers with post-purchase cash rebates. CCCE will not offer e-bike rebates this year because the agency prefers to address carbon emissions and decreasing regional use of fossil fuels by getting more electric vehicles on the road through rebates for battery electric vehicles like cars and pick-up trucks.

Over the past three years, Electrify Your Ride has helped put 959 new and used electric vehicles on Central Coast roads and helped establish 629 charging stations in the region. This year’s Electrify Your Ride Program is estimated to displace more than 1,800 metric tons (mT) of greenhouse gas emissions. That’s the equivalent of taking over 388 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles off the road for one year.

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About Central Coast Community Energy

Central Coast Community Energy is a public agency that sources competitively priced electricity from clean and renewable energy resources. CCCE is locally controlled and governed by board members who represent each community served by the agency. Revenue generated by CCCE stays local and helps keep electricity rates affordable for customers, while also funding innovative energy programs designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate economic development. CCCE serves 436,000 customers throughout the Central Coast, including residential, commercial, and agricultural customers in communities located within Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz counties. Learn more at 3CEnergy.org and on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

For more information:
Central Coast Community Energy
Lena Wallace
Communications Specialist
831-641-7206
lwallace@3ce.org