Contact Info
Info@SBCleanEnergy.com
(805) 897-1979
Residential EV Program FAQ
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 incentive offered under this program per fiscal year.
To qualify for the incentive, you must be an income-qualified customer. See below for requirements.
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”)
- 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., in 2026 vehicle must be 2018 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 240-volt 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 incentive 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 Residential EV Program Guidelines and Terms & 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 associated electrical work project.
SBCE has allocated a limited amount of money for this incentive 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, 2026 are eligible for this program.
To qualify, the applicant must meet the minimum income eligibility requirements in the Program Guidelines and Terms & 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 (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 240-volt outlet or smart circuit sharing device).
- For income-qualified customers 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. 240-volt 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-qualified customers 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 240-volt 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 the next steps.
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 incentive, your check will be delivered to the mailing address provided in your application within 45 days. For urgent inquiries, please email SBCEPrograms@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.
Use our Incentive Finder to see what other incentives you may qualify for.