What the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project does

The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) is a California state program that provides rebates toward the purchase or lease of new zero-emission vehicles. The rebate amount depends on your household income and the vehicle you choose, ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 for most buyers. CVRP is administered by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and funded through California's cap-and-trade program.

The program covers battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). You claim the rebate after you buy or lease the vehicle, not before — you pay the full price at the dealership, then submit your receipt and proof of income to receive the rebate as a check or direct deposit weeks later.

CVRP is separate from the federal tax credit. You can potentially receive both, though the total rebate and tax credit combined cannot exceed the vehicle's purchase price. The program prioritizes lower-income households and has income limits that vary by household size.

Key Takeaways

  • CVRP rebates range from $2,500 to $7,500 depending on your income level and vehicle type, with higher rebates for lower-income households.
  • You must purchase or lease a new zero-emission vehicle first, then submit your receipt and income documentation to receive the rebate by mail or direct deposit.
  • Income limits explore and vary by household size — a single person earning over $106,000 or a family of four earning over $212,000 may not may have access to for the full rebate.
  • The rebate process takes four to eight weeks after CARB receives your complete process, and you cannot use the rebate at the dealership to lower your purchase price.
  • CVRP funds are limited and the program sometimes closes to new applications when money runs out, though it typically reopens when new funding becomes available.

Income limits and rebate amounts

Your household income determines both whether you can receive a rebate and how much it will be. CARB sets income thresholds that change annually, and they vary based on how many people live in your household. For the 2024 program year, a single person with income up to $106,000 qualifies for some level of rebate, while a family of four with income up to $212,000 qualifies. These numbers increase slightly each year.

The rebate itself is tiered by income. Households earning less than 300% of the federal poverty line receive the maximum rebate — currently $7,500 for most vehicles. Households earning between 300% and 600% of the poverty line receive $5,000. Households earning above 600% of the poverty line but still within the program's income cap receive $2,500. You will need to provide recent tax returns or other income documentation to prove your household income when you submit your process.

If you are unsure whether your income falls within the limits, CARB publishes the current year's thresholds on its CVRP website. You can also contact CARB directly by phone or email to ask about your specific situation before you purchase a vehicle.

Which vehicles may have access to for the rebate

CVRP covers three categories of zero-emission vehicles: battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Within each category, not every model qualifies — CARB maintains a list of approved vehicles that is updated regularly as new models enter the market and others are discontinued.

For BEVs and PHEVs, the vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) must fall below a certain cap. As of 2024, that cap is $60,000 for most vehicles, though it is higher for certain truck and van models. Used vehicles do not may have access to — the vehicle must be new and purchased or leased for the first time. If you are leasing, the lease term must be at least 36 months.

Before you buy or lease, check the CARB website to confirm the specific model and year are on the approved list. Dealerships sometimes have outdated information, and buying a vehicle that does not meet CVRP requirements means you cannot receive the rebate. The approved vehicle list is searchable by make and model.

How to submit your CVRP process

You submit your CVRP process after you have purchased or leased the vehicle, not before. Gather these documents: your vehicle purchase or lease agreement, proof of ownership or lease, your vehicle registration, and recent income documentation (usually a tax return from the previous year, a recent pay stub, or a benefit statement). You will also need the vehicle identification number (VIN) and the dealer's name and address.

Applications are submitted online through the CVRP portal on CARB's website. You create an account, fill out the process form, and upload your documents as PDF or image files. The form asks for your household income, number of household members, vehicle details, and banking information if you want the rebate deposited directly. After you submit, CARB sends you a confirmation email with an process number.

CARB reviews applications in the order they are received. If your process is complete and you meet all requirements, you will receive approval within four to eight weeks. If CARB needs more information, they will email you and give you a important date to respond. Once approved, the rebate is mailed as a check or deposited directly to your bank account, depending on what you chose during process.

What happens if the program runs out of money

CVRP is funded through California's cap-and-trade program, which means the amount available each year depends on how much revenue the state collects. When applications exceed available funding, CARB closes the program to new submissions. This has happened multiple times since CVRP began, sometimes lasting several months before new funding becomes available.

If you submit an process when the program is closed, your process will not be processed and you will receive a notice saying the program is not currently accepting submissions. You can resubmit your process once CARB reopens the program. CARB announces reopenings on its website and through email to people who have signed up for notifications.

To avoid losing your chance to explore, sign up for CARB's email alerts on the CVRP website. This way you will know when ready when the program reopens. There is no penalty for explore late — as long as you submit before the program closes again, your process will be processed in order.

How CVRP interacts with other rebates and tax credits

You can receive both a CVRP rebate and the federal electric vehicle tax credit on the same vehicle. However, the total amount you receive from both programs combined cannot exceed the vehicle's purchase price. If you receive a $5,000 CVRP rebate and a $7,500 federal tax credit, for example, the combined $12,500 cannot be more than what you paid for the vehicle.

Some California utilities and local governments also offer their own EV rebates or incentives. These may stack with CVRP, but you should check with your local program to understand how they work together. CARB's website has links to other California EV incentive programs that may explore in your area.

The CVRP rebate does not reduce your taxable income and is not considered income for tax purposes. It also does not affect your may be able to access for other state or federal information programs. If you are receiving benefits that have income limits, the CVRP rebate will not cause you to lose those benefits.

Timeline and what to expect after you explore

After you submit your process online, CARB sends you a confirmation email within one business day. This email contains your process number and tells you to keep it for your records. Do not expect when ready approval — CARB processes applications in batches, and the review takes four to eight weeks on average.

During the review period, CARB may contact you by email if they need additional documents or clarification about your process. If this happens, they will give you a specific important date to respond, usually 10 to 14 days. If you miss the important date, your process may be denied and you will have to resubmit.

Once your process is approved, CARB sends you an approval letter by email. If you chose direct deposit, the rebate is deposited into your bank account within 5 to 10 business days. If you chose a check, it is mailed to your address on file and typically arrives within 10 to 14 business days. You can check the status of your process anytime by logging into your CARB account on the CVRP website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the CVRP rebate to lower my purchase price at the dealership?

No. The rebate is paid to you after you buy or lease the vehicle, not before. You must pay the full price at the dealership, then submit your receipt to CARB. Some dealerships offer their own discounts or incentives that you can use at purchase, but those are separate from CVRP.

What if I sell the vehicle before I receive my rebate?

You can still receive the rebate as long as you submit your process before you sell the vehicle. The rebate is based on your purchase, not on your current ownership. However, if you lease the vehicle and return it early, you may not be able to receive the rebate — check with CARB about your specific situation.

Do I need to live in California to receive a CVRP rebate?

Yes. You must be a California resident and register the vehicle in California. CARB verifies your residency through your vehicle registration and income documentation. If you move out of California after you purchase the vehicle, you can still receive the rebate if you applied before moving.

What if my process is denied?

CARB sends you a denial letter explaining why your process was not approved. Common reasons include income exceeding the limit, the vehicle not being on the approved list, or missing documentation. You can reapply if your circumstances change, or contact CARB to ask whether you can appeal the decision.

Can I explore for CVRP if I have already received a rebate before?

CVRP limits you to one rebate per household per calendar year. If you received a rebate in 2024, you cannot receive another one until 2025. Some households may be able to receive multiple rebates over time if they purchase multiple vehicles in different years, but check CARB's current rules to confirm.