EVs and Rebates – Ensuring Affordability for All

California Interfaith Power & Light has been deeply involved in the transition to affordable clean cars and cleaner heavy-duty transport vehicles for more than a decade. The Golden State is committed to having all new cars and passenger trucks be zero-emission vehicles by 2035.  At the same time, we must ensure that EVs are affordable to everyone.

Southern California Edison’s Pre-Owned EV Rebate program is one such incentive. Active now, all SCE residential customers are eligible for a $1,000 rebate on the purchase or lease of a pre-owned EV or plug-in hybrid. Better yet, income-qualified SCE residential customers may be eligible for a $4,000 rebate. This is a big deal as electric vehicles are the future of California driving. And benefits of EV ownership are multiple: greatly reduced fuel costs, minimal parts and maintenance, and little or no pollution from your tailpipe.

The Pre-Owned EV Rebate is funded through SCE’s participation in the Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program, which the California Air Resources Board has operated since 2009 as part of statewide efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the adoption of clean transportation fuels, such as electricity. For more information, check out the program requirements and a list of eligible pre-owned vehicles to buy or lease.

Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gases in California. The pollution created is a major contributor of adverse health effects, including respiratory and cardiac illnesses, particularly affecting under-resourced communities along transportation corridors, and near fossil fuel extraction and oil refinement areas. Alternatives to driving (walking, biking, using public transit) is key to lessening pollution. And, for many who don’t have adequate public transportation, affordable clean cars are crucial as a buying option.

California, as home to the most pollution-laden cities in the U.S., must get this right. And the faith community is at the forefront of equitable and just action to make it so.

For more information on the SCE rebate, contact Allis at allis@interfaithpower.org. For more info on EVs and EV charging infrastructure, check out CIPL’s “Electric Faith” Guide.