Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed electric vehicle rebate program could offer an incentive ranging from $1,500 to $7,500, state officials said Wednesday.
What happened: California Air Resources Board staff told lawmakers during a state Assembly budget hearing that the agency is considering a wide range of rebates as it fleshes out the program included in Newsom’s (D) January budget but that a $3,500 incentive could strike the best balance.
“We do have research that suggests $3,500 might be a sweet spot in terms of being able to really change behavior, while also balancing that with making sure the money translates into as many rebates as possible,” said Courtney Smith, CARB’s principal deputy executive officer.
Smith said that with a $1,500 target — which would include state funding and a required automaker match — the state could provide 260,000 rebates. That number would decrease to 52,000 rebates for a $7,500 incentive.
