Residential EV Program
Contact
(805) 991-7699
SBCEPrograms@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
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Santa Barbara Clean Energy's Residential EV Program is designed to make switching to electric transportation easier and more affordable!
Electric vehicles reduce emissions, have lower operating costs, and offer cutting-edge technology. Installing a Level 2 charger allows you to charge conveniently at home and monitor, manage, and optimize your charging sessions. Ready to make the switch? Apply for our "make ready" rebate once your home is ready for a charger or EV!
Thanks for supporting a cleaner, greener future.
Purchases and projects completed after July 1, 2024 are eligible.
Incentive Levels
Vehicle Type | Base Incentive | Tier 1 Income Qualified Rebate | Tier 2 Income Qualified Rebate |
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Electric | $1,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 |
Plug-in Hybrid Electric | N/A | $2,000 | $3,000 |
*FPL = Federal Poverty Level
| Measure | Base Rebate | Income Qualified Rebate (All Tiers) | Income Qualified Rebate (All Tiers) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 Charger – Hard Wired | Up to $400 or 75% of total project cost* | Up to $600 or 100% of total project cost* | Up to $600 or 100% of total project cost* |
| Level 2 Charger – Plug In | Up to $300 or 75% of total project cost* | Up to $400 or 100% of total project cost* | Up to $400 or 100% of total project cost* |
*Whichever is less
| Measure | Base Rebate | Tier 1 Income Qualified Rebate | Tier 2 Income Qualified Rebate |
|---|---|---|---|
| EV Make Ready | Up to $2,000 | Up to $3,000 | Up to $4,000 |
*FPL = Federal Poverty Level
For additional details and to see which incentive(s) you qualify for (Base, Tier 1, or Tier 2), please view our Pre-Application Terms and Conditions.
How to Apply
Review your most recent bill to verify “Santa Barbara Clean Energy Generation Charges” are included on the statement. If this is present on your bill, you are an SBCE customer and are eligible for the program.
Review the Pre-Application Terms and Conditions.
Purchase or lease your new or used electric vehicle from an eligible dealership. If you purchase a hardwired Level 2 EV Charger, make sure it’s installed. If you purchase a plug-in Level 2 Charger, it should be plugged into a dedicated 240V outlet. Your "make ready" work (any electrical work that occurs in anticipation of or during installation of a Level 2 Charger) should be completed before you submit your application.
Collect all required documents and submit your application. For Spanish speakers, click Solicitar ahora to apply.
SBCE will process your application and notify you of your application status. Once your application is approved, your rebate check will be mailed to you.
Questions? Give us a call at (805) 991-7699 or email SBCEPrograms@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any community member who lives at a residence served by SBCE and has an account in good standing is eligible to apply for the Residential EV Program. Each SBCE account is eligible for one rebate offered under this program per fiscal year.
To qualify for the rebate, your vehicle must be:
Registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to an address enrolled in SBCE service.
One of the following vehicle types: Battery Electric Vehicle (“BEV”), Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (“PHEV”) (PHEV rebate is available to income qualified customers only).
Less than $80,000 in price, using the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP).
Used vehicles must meet the following requirements:
Eligible used vehicles must be 8 model years old or newer (e.g., Year 2024 = 2016 or newer)
Less than 75,000 original miles
No modifications to chassis or emission control systems
Clean title (cannot be salvaged)
No open recalls (closed recalls must show proof of repairs)
Must be a Level 2 Charger (requires 240-volt power source). Level 2 Chargers can be one of the following types:
Hardwired Level 2 Chargers - must be permanently installed and connected to an electrical service at the time of application submittal.
Plug-in Level 2 Chargers – customer must have available dedicated 240V outlet or smart circuit splitter device.
Must be Wi-Fi enabled and capable of communicating with a charging network.
Must be purchased new (not refurbished).
Must be certified by Underwriters Laboratory Inc. (“UL Listed”).
The Level 2 Charger Purchase rebate is intended to provide rebates associated directly with Level 2 Charger costs (i.e., the point-of-sale cost of the charging unit). Ongoing operational costs, subscription costs, and other indirect project costs will not count towards the total cost of the equipment.
*This program is not intended for property owners with more than two units, as stated in the Terms and Conditions.
Electrical work must be completed at the time of application submittal.
Supports the installation of Level 2 charging only.
If Level 2 charger installation and/or electrical work was performed by someone other than the homeowner/property owner, the installer must hold an electrical or general contractor license in the State of California to perform electrical/installation work, as defined by the Authority Having Jurisdiction building guidelines.
May include materials and labor that occur in anticipation of (pre-wiring) or during installation of Level 2 Charger – wiring, receptacles, J-boxes, conduit, circuit splitters, circuit pausers, sub-panels, smart panels, electrical service panel upgrades and replacements, or similar equipment as approved by SBCE.
Ongoing operational costs, subscription costs, and other indirect project costs will not count towards the total cost of the EV Make Ready project.
SBCE has allocated a limited amount of money for this rebate program. Once the funds run out the application will be suspended, and the program will be closed. Email SBCEPrograms@SantaBarbaraCA.gov with any questions.
Purchases, installations, and projects completed after July 1, 2024 are eligible for this program.
The purchase date on the bill of sale will be the date used for your application.
There are two levels of income qualified incentives available to residents, as defined below:
Tier 1: Household gross annual income is between 201-400% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL).
Tier 2: Household gross annual income is at or below 200% of the FPL, equivalent to California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE) or Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA) eligibility.
To qualify, the applicant must meet the minimum income eligibility requirements in the Pre-Application Terms and Conditions and verify income status through one of the following methods:
Applicant reports active enrollment in the CARE or FERA programs on the application (verified by SBCE).
Applicant submits a redacted copy of the applicant’s most recent federal income tax return (Form 1040). SBCE considers an applicant’s most recent federal tax income return to be the one most recently required to be filed by the Internal Revenue Service.
Documents required to apply for the rebate include:
Car registration (temporary is acceptable).
A full copy of the sales/lease agreement.
Valid CA Driver’s License (current, not expired).
Proof of income for qualified low-income applicants (if you are a CARE/FERA customer, you do not need to upload any documents for proof).
*Any submitted documents with confidential information will be destroyed after SBCE staff review.
Proof of Charger purchase (e.g., receipt, invoice).
Photo of hard-wired Level 2 Charger (installed) or plug-in Level 2 Charger (plugged-in to dedicated 240V outlet or smart circuit sharing device).
For Income Qualifying Residents not enrolled in CARE/FERA - a redacted copy of the applicant’s most recent federal income tax return (Form 1040).
Your Level 2 Charger must be Wi-Fi enabled and capable of communicating with a charging network. This enables EV owners to remotely monitor, manage, and optimize their charging sessions based on various factors such as electricity rates, grid demand, and battery capacity.
Proof of make ready work completion (e.g. invoice including itemization of all time and/or material costs that occur in anticipation of or during installation of Level 2 Charger).
Photo of completed make ready work (e.g. 240V receptacle).
Contractor information (if installed by an electrician or general contractor).
Documentation (e.g., building permit card) indicating final approval has been issued in accordance with the local building permit process, as required by California Building Standards Code and local ordinance. Permits are not required for smart circuit splitting devices.
For Income Qualifying Residents not enrolled in CARE/FERA - a redacted copy of the applicant’s most recent federal income tax return (Form 1040).
A Level 2 Charger can be permanently installed (hardwired) or plugged into a dedicated 240V power source.
We encourage renters to pursue plug-in chargers to expedite purchasing and operation. If you have express permission from your landlord, please reach out to our team at (805) 991-7699 and we will work with you on next steps.
Please submit complete, clear, and legible photos of your documents.
After submitting the application, you will receive an automated email letting you know the application was successfully submitted. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application at each of the following stages via email:
Incomplete Application: SBCE may request documents, information, or both from the applicant to continue processing the application.
Denied Application: SBCE will notify you if your application is denied (this may happen if your purchase does not meet the requirements of the program).
Application Approved: SBCE will notify you once your application is approved, and a check will be delivered to the mailing address provided on your application.
Please expect up to 45 days to process your application. If you receive an email confirming your rebate, your check will be delivered to the mailing address provided in your application within 45 days. For urgent inquiries, please email SBCEPrograms@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.
EV rebates and incentives available to you may include:
- Santa Barbara Clean Energy Rebate $1,000 - $4,000
- Federal Tax Credit for New or Used Clean Vehicles $2,500 - $7,500
- Department of Energy Alternative Fuel Tax Credit $1,000
- SCE pre-owned EV Rebate $1,00 - $4,000
Visit DriveClean and/or Access Clean California and search your zip code to view available rebates. (Please note these sites may not include all available rebates.)
Yes, all eligible used vehicles in an open recall must show proof of repair (e.g. invoice or receipt from dealership).