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Resources · Cars and getting around

Car repairs, EV rebates, transit and rides

Rebates on new and used electric cars, free transit passes, rides to medical appointments, DMV fee help and smog repair programs.

Reembolsos por autos eléctricos nuevos y usados, pases de transporte gratis, viajes a citas médicas, ayuda con tarifas del DMV y programas de reparación de smog.

27 programs · updated from the Resources database; every number is checked on the program's own page.

  1. $1000 or $4000 off a Used Electric Vehicle

    $1000 o $4000 de descuento en un vehículo eléctrico usado

    Worth
    $4000
    Who qualifies
    PG&E residential electric customers; Rebate Plus requires income qualification or enrollment in CalFresh, Medi-Cal, SSI, WIC, LIHEAP, CalWORKs, or similar assistance program
    Phone
    none
    Website
    evrebates.pge.com/program-requirements

  2. Ask the Ref – Bereau of Automotive Repair Smog Check Referee Program

    Ask the Ref – Oficina de Reparación Automotriz Programa de Árbitro de Verificación de Smog

    Who qualifies
    everyone
    Phone
    none
    Website
    asktheref.org

  3. Auto Body Inspection Program - Bureau of Automotive Repair

    Programa de inspección de carrocería - Oficina de reparación automotriz

    Who qualifies
    California vehicle owners
    Phone
    (800) 952‑5210 – BAR consumer assistance line
    Website
    bar.ca.gov/autobody

  4. Calculate Used Vehicle Fees

    Calcula las tarifas de vehículos usados

    Worth
    $0
    Who qualifies
    California vehicle buyers and owners
    Phone
    - DMV Customer Service: 1-800-777-0133 (General inquiries and assistance) - Vehicle Registration Contact Center: 1-800-777-0133 (Registration-related inquiries and assistance) - Occupational Licensing: 1-916-229-3126 (Dealer-related inquiries and assistance) - Vehicle Industry Services Contact Center: 1-916-445-1888 (Industry-related inquiries and assistance) - Auto Theft Information: 1-916-229-3128 (Auto theft-related inquiries and assistance) - Special Interest and Personalized License Plates: 1-916-657-8035 (Inquiries related to special interest and personalized license plates) - Disabled Person Parking Placard: 1-800-777-0133 (Inquiries related to disabled person parking placards) - Driver Safety Offices: None
    Website
    dmv.ca.gov/wasapp/FeeCalculatorWeb/usedVehicleForm.do

  5. CALeVIP Fast Charge California Project — up to $100,000 per DC fast-charging port (Window 2: Oct. 7, 2026–Jan. 14, 2027)

    Proyecto Fast Charge California de CALeVIP — hasta $100,000 por puerto de carga rápida DC (Ventana 2: 7 de octubre de 2026 al 14 de enero de 2027)

    Worth
    Up to 100% of approved costs: $55,000 per port (150–274.99 kW) or $100,000 per port (275 kW+)
    Who qualifies
    Owners of publicly available sites anywhere in California who will own the charging equipment and have ready-to-build projects (permit issued and final utility service design). Charging hubs, hotels and business districts are not eligible site types
    Phone
    none – email through calevip.org
    Website
    calevip.org/fccp2

  6. California's Low Cost Auto Insurance

    Seguro de Auto de Bajo Costo de California

    Worth
    $250
    Who qualifies
    Income-eligible, good drivers
    Phone
    - Phone numbers: - CLCA Customer Service: 1-866-602-8861 (Assistance with CLCA enrollment and general inquiries) - CAARP Customer Service: 1-800-622-0954 (Assistance with CAARP and assigned risk plan) - Department of Insurance Consumer Hotline: 1-800-927-4357 (Assistance with insurance-related inquiries and complaints)
    Website
    mylowcostauto.com

  7. Consumer Assistance Program Smog Repair Assistance - Bureau of Automotive Repair

    Programa de Asistencia al Consumidor para Reparación de Smog - Oficina de Reparación Automotriz

    Worth
    $1,450
    Who qualifies
    low‑income individuals and families (≤225% FPL) who own a California‑registered car that failed a regular Smog Check and meet the other ownership requirements.
    Phone
    (800) 952‑5210 – general questions (866) 272‑9642 – application questions
    Website
    bar.ca.gov/consumer/consumer-assistance-program/cap-repair-assistance-program

  8. (DEPRECATED) Empower EV — ended Dec 31, 2024 (see PG&E home EV charger rebate)

    (OBSOLETO) Empower EV — finalizó el 31 de dic 2024 (ver reembolso de cargador de EV doméstico de PG&E)

    Worth
    $38 million
    Who qualifies
    active PG&E residential customers with a qualifying EV; income‑qualified households (≤ 80 % AMI or enrolled in CARE, FERA, Medi‑Cal, CalFresh, SSI, etc.) for Rebate Plus
    Phone
    1-877-704-8888 – PG&E EV Help Center phone line.
    Website
    pge.com/en/clean-energy/electric-vehicles/getting-started-with-electric-vehicles/residential-charging-solutions-rebate.html

  9. Eligibility and Application $12000 EV incentive

    Worth
    Up to $12,000 incentive toward purchase or lease of a new or used EV
    Who qualifies
    California households at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level with an older car to scrap, living where the local air district runs no Clean Cars 4 All program.
    Website
    drivingcleanca.org

  10. eMotion Autos | Used Electric Vehicle Dealership

    eMotion Autos | Concesionario de Vehículos Eléctricos Usados

    Worth
    $12,000
    Who qualifies
    income‑qualified buyers, low‑income households (under ~ $110,000), very‑low‑income Californians qualifying for DCAP
    Phone
    (650) 699‑2193 – eMotion Autos contact phone 1‑888‑632‑3674 – MCE rebate inquiries 1‑855‑682‑0492 – DCAP assistance phone
    Website
    emotionautos.com

  11. ENDED Sept 30, 2025 — Federal Used-EV Tax Credit (was 30% up to $4,000)

    FINALIZADO Sept 30, 2025 — Crédito Federal para Vehículos Eléctricos Usados (era 30% hasta $4,000)

    Worth
    $4,000
    Who qualifies
    income‑qualified buyers (AGI ≤ $75k single, $112.5k head of household, $150k joint), PG&E customers, California income‑qualified residents replacing an older car, eligible non‑original owners.
    Phone
    211 – call for VITA free tax prep
    Website
    fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxused.shtml

  12. Free Medical Transportation Services

    Servicios gratuitos de transporte médico

    Worth
    $200
    Who qualifies
    Medi-Cal members who lack a valid driver's license, have no working household vehicle, or cannot travel or wait alone due to physical, cognitive, mental, or developmental limitations
    Phone
    (866) 828-2303 (Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm)
    Website
    partnershiphp.org/Members/Medi-Cal/Pages/Transportation-Services.aspx

  13. Golden Ticket — free bus for life at 80+ (Nevada County Connects)

    Boleto Dorado — autobús gratis de por vida a los 80+ (Nevada County Connects)

    Worth
    Lifetime free rides on all regular Nevada County Connects routes (1-7) — proof of age is the whole application
    Who qualifies
    Seniors aged 80 and over
    Phone
    530-477-0103 – Nevada County Connects inquiries none
    Website
    nevadacountyca.gov/2259/Fares-and-Passes

  14. Home - North Lake Tahoe Express

    Inicio - North Lake Tahoe Express

    Worth
    $0
    Who qualifies
    Everyone
    Phone
    - (833) 709-8080: Reservations phone number - None - None
    Website
    northlaketahoeexpress.com

  15. KeySavvy — Safe Payment and Title Transfer for Private-Party Car Sales (~$99)

    KeySavvy — Pago seguro y transferencia de título para ventas de autos entre particulares (~$99)

    Worth
    $12,000
    Who qualifies
    PG&E residential electric customers; income‑qualified households (CalFresh, Medi‑Cal, CalWORKs, LIHEAP, etc.); low‑income households (≤300% FPL) eligible for DCAP.
    Phone
    1-877-880-9646 – PG&E rebate questions
    Website
    keysavvy.com/how-it-works

  16. Kids & teens ride the bus FREE (Nevada County Connects)

    Niños y adolescentes viajan gratis en el autobús (Nevada County Connects)

    Who qualifies
    youth ages 6‑17 and children 5 and under
    Phone
    530-477-0103 – Questions
    Website
    nevadacountyca.gov/2259/Fares-and-Passes

  17. Lease EV Discounts – Ride and Drive Clean

    Descuentos de arrendamiento de vehículos eléctricos – Ride and Drive Clean

    Worth
    $17,400
    Who qualifies
    MCE customers
    Phone
    none
    Website
    rideanddriveclean.org/ev-discounts

  18. Leasing New EVs and Incentives - Electric For All

    Arrendamiento de Vehículos Eléctricos Nuevos e Incentivos - Herramienta para explorar más de 100 opciones de vehículos eléctricos nuevos y descubrir incentivos federales, estatales y locales disponibles según su código postal.

    Worth
    Browse new EV models with available federal, state, and local incentives by ZIP code
    Who qualifies
    All U.S. residents considering an EV purchase or lease
    Phone
    none
    Website
    electricforall.org/new-evs-and-incentives

  19. Low-Income Bus Pass (referral) — Nevada County Connects

    Pase de autobús de bajos ingresos (referencia) — Conexiones del condado de Nevada

    Worth
    Six months of subsidized, reduced-fare riding at a time — via FREED, Social Services, or Behavioral Health referral
    Who qualifies
    Households with income between 138% and 200% of the federal poverty level
    Phone
    530-477-3333 – FREED partner agency 530-265-1340 – Nevada County Social Services 2-1-1 – General assistance hotline
    Website
    nevadacountyca.gov/2259/Fares-and-Passes

  20. MyFirstEV — $3,500 off a first new EV or $1,750 off a used one at the dealer (CARB)

    MyFirstEV — $3,500 de descuento en su primer vehículo eléctrico nuevo o $1,750 en uno usado, en el concesionario (CARB)

    Worth
    $3,500 off a new ZEV (MSRP ≤$50k) or $1,750 off a certified pre-owned one (≤$25k), at the point of sale
    Who qualifies
    California residents who have never owned or been listed on the title of a zero-emission vehicle; no income limit; one per person.
    Phone
    (800) 242-4450 (CARB helpline)
    Website
    ww2.arb.ca.gov/myfirstev

  21. Parts Locator Service (PLS) – Ask the Ref

    Servicio de Localización de Piezas (PLS) - Pregunta al Ref

    Worth
    $0 (free service; parts cost varies)
    Who qualifies
    everyone
    Phone
    - Consumer Assistance Program (CAP): 866-272-9642 - Financial assistance for repairs - Payless Parts: 800-345-4294 - Supplier of emission control parts (excluding catalytic converters) - Help Smog Parts: 800-544-4357 - Supplier of emission control parts (excluding catalytic converters) - Referee Call Center: 800-622-7733 - Contact for further instructions regarding parts exemption and Limited Parts Exemption
    Website
    asktheref.org/services/parts-locator-service

  22. PG&E Home EV Charger Rebate — up to $2,000 ($5,000 with panel upgrade)

    Reembolso de PG&E para cargador de VE en casa — hasta $2,000 ($5,000 con actualización del panel eléctrico)

    Worth
    $5,000
    Who qualifies
    Income-eligible households
    Phone
    none
    Website
    pge.com/en/clean-energy/electric-vehicles/getting-started-with-electric-vehicles/residential-charging-solutions-rebate.html

  23. Repair Cost Waivers – Ask the Ref

    Costo de reparación exento - Pregunta al árbitro

    Worth
    $650
    Who qualifies
    Everyone
    Phone
    - Repair Cost Waiver Program: None - Referee Station Appointments: None - Smog Test Facilities: None - Licensed Smog Check Test and Repair Station: None - Consumer Assistance Programs: None
    Website
    asktheref.org/services/repair-cost-waivers

  24. Ride free with student id

    Viaja gratis con identificación de estudiante.

    Worth
    $0
    Who qualifies
    Currently enrolled Sierra College students (credit or noncredit)
    Phone
    (916) 745‑7560 – South Placer Transit contact (888) 660‑7433 – Nevada County Connects contact (530) 550‑1212 – TART contact (800) 736‑6365 – TART contact
    Website
    sierracollege.edu/visit-sierra-college/bus-services

  25. Sacramento's Clean Cars 4 All

    Hasta $9500 de descuento: Autos Limpios para Todos en Sacramento

    Worth
    $9,500
    Who qualifies
    Income-qualified residents in disadvantaged communities
    Phone
    none
    Website
    airquality.org/SacCleanCars4All/Pages/default.aspx

  26. Vehicle Retirement $1500 - Bureau of Automotive Repair

    Retiro de Vehículos $1500 - Oficina de Reparación Automotriz

    Worth
    $1500
    Who qualifies
    Income Eligible
    Phone
    none
    Website
    bar.ca.gov/consumer/consumer-assistance-program/vehicle-retirement-1500

  27. Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Pilot — PG&E (Ford, GM, Tesla)

    Programa piloto Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) — PG&E (Ford, GM, Tesla)

    Worth
    $
    Who qualifies
    Everyone
    Phone
    none
    Website
    pge.com/en/clean-energy/electric-vehicles/getting-started-with-electric-vehicles/vehicle-to-everything-v2x-pilot-programs.html#tabs-b0ada91e14-item-c12ee8c9d3-tab