FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2026
Contacts:
Lyz Bantilan, APCD Public Information Officer, (805) 979-8283
Alex Economou, APCD Planning Division Manager / C5 Director, (805) 979-8333
Plug in to 2026 National Drive Electric Month
Free EV Events Coming to the Central Coast
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition (C5), Electric Ride 805, and regional partners invite community members to join free in‑person and virtual events during National Drive Electric Month (September 11 – October 12).
National Drive Electric Month is a nationwide celebration showcasing the benefits of all‑electric and plug‑in hybrid vehicles, also known as EVs. Local events give residents the chance to explore EVs firsthand, connect with current EV drivers, and learn about financial incentives — including California’s new MyFirstEV rebate.
- Online Events – Registration Required:
- 9/23 & 10/23: All About Electric Vehicles Webinar – English (12pm – 12:45pm)
- 9/23 & 10/23: Todo sobre los vehículos eléctricos – Spanish (6pm – 7pm)
- In-Person Events:
- 9/18: Santa Maria Downtown Fridays EV Showcase (5:30pm – 8:30pm)
- 9/26: Port of Hueneme Banana Festival EV Showcase (10am – 5pm)
- 10/4: Ventura County EV Showcase (12pm – 4:30pm)
- 10/17: Drive Electric Ventura Ride & Drive (10am – 2pm)
For more information about National Drive Electric Month events near you, visit the following link: https://driveelectricmonth.org/.
A variety of financial incentives are available to help people purchase or lease a qualified new or used EV and install EV charging equipment at home. Many programs may be combined to help maximize total savings:
- MyFirstEV Program
- Up to $3,500 for a new EV under $50,000, or $1,750 for a used EV under $25,000 for California residents who are buying or leasing a zero-emission vehicle for the first time
- Rebates are applied directly at the dealership by participating automakers, with rollout dates varying by manufacturers
- Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP)
- Clean Cars 4 All: Up to $12,000 to replace an existing gas- or diesel-powered 2010- or-older vehicle and buy or lease a new or used EV, plus $2,000 EV charging incentive
- Fair Financing: Loans up to $45,000 with an interest rate capped at 8%
- Central Coast Community Energy (3CE)
- Electrify Your Ride Residential Program:
- Up to $3,500 for the purchase or lease of a new EV and up to $2,500 for a used EV
- Up to $3,000 for Level 2 EV chargers and installation costs, with an extra $500 for bidirectional* EV chargers
- Electrify Your Ride Commercial Program: Commercial customers, including multi-family housing properties, are eligible for rebates up to $20,000 toward Level 2 EV chargers & installation costs with additional $500 rebate for bidirectional* chargers, and up to $100,000 for Level 3 (DCFC) charger
- Electrify Your Ride Residential Program:
- Santa Barbara Clean Energy (SBCE)
- Residential EV Rebate Program:
- Income-qualified SBCE customers can receive up to $4,000 for the purchase or lease of a new or used qualified EV
- Up to $600 for a Level 2 EV charger and up to $2,000 for electrical work and charger installation costs
- Charge Up SB Program: Provides multi-family and affordable housing multi-family property owners who are SBCE customers with technical assistance and incentives up to $60,000 for Level 1 and 2 outlets, Level 2 charging stations, make ready infrastructure, and power management hardware and software
- Residential EV Rebate Program:
- Southern California Edison (SCE)
- Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program: $1,000 standard rebate for the purchase or lease of a used qualified EV; income-qualified customers can receive a total of $4,000 through the Rebate Plus option
- Charge Ready Home Program: Up to $4,200 for qualified single-family homes to complete electrical panel upgrades to install a Level 2 EV charger
- Charge Ready Programs: Owners of existing and new multi-family and commercial properties are eligible for rebates for Level 2 and Level 3 chargers, as well as technical support
- Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E)
- Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program:
- $1,000 standard rebate for the purchase or lease of a used qualified EV – expires September 30, 2026; beginning October 1, 2026, only income-qualified customers will be eligible
- Income-qualified PG&E customers can receive up to $4,000 for the purchase or lease of a used qualified EV
- Residential Charging Solutions Rebate
- Standard rebate: up to 50% of the purchase price of one eligible Level 2 charger after installation
- Rebate Plus (income-qualified): up to $2,000 toward charger installation, or up to $5,000 when a panel upgrade is also needed
- dcbel California Connected Home Rebate Program
- California residents that meet customer qualification criteria are eligible to receive up to $13,800 in rebates and incentives for a bidirectional* DC charger, installation and interconnection costs, enrollment in dynamic rate utility program, and ownership of a bidirectional* EV
- Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program:
- EVs for Everyone
- Free technical assistance available to residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties who are seeking guidance on buying an EV and applying for incentives
*Bidirectional charging allows electricity to move both into an EV battery and back out to power other sources, such as a home, individual devices, or the utility grid. Only certain EV models and chargers are designed with bidirectional capabilities.