Electric Vehicle (EV)
Frequently Asked Questions

Will my existing home charger work with a newer EV?

It depends on the vehicle and charger. Older Level 1 chargers can typically plug into a standard wall outlet, but the connector that plugs into the vehicle may be different. Check the specific charger and vehicle compatibility before purchasing a new EV.

How do I qualify for Clean Cars 4 All? Is it income-based?

Yes. Clean Cars 4 All eligibility is based in part on household income. You can find current eligibility requirements at Driving Clean California.

Can I purchase a used EV through a site like Carvana and receive the MyFirstEV incentive?

MyFirstEV vehicles must be purchased through an eligible dealership listed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

If my husband already owns an EV, can I still qualify for MyFirstEV?

Available incentives depend on factors such as your household, current vehicle and the EV you’re considering. CEC’s EV Assistance program can help you identify potential rebates and incentives. Get EV Assistance from CEC

Should I buy an EV now or wait until my gas-powered car is at the end of its life-cycle?

Transitioning to an EV sooner is the best way to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution from our personal transportation, especially if we are currently driving an older vehicle that uses more gas and is higher-polluting. According to a recent study from the International Council on Clean Transportation, “battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have by far the lowest life-cycle GHG emissions… emissions over the lifetime of average medium-size BEVs registered today are already lower than comparable gasoline cars by 66%–69% in Europe, 60%–68% in the United States, 37%–45% in China, and 19%–34% in India. Additionally, as the electricity mix continues to decarbonize, the life-cycle emissions gap between BEVs and gasoline vehicles increases substantially when considering medium-size cars projected to be registered in 2030. 

For most gas cars, only about 10-15% of lifecycle emissions occur from manufacturing and recycling it, with 85-90% of impact happening from the decade or two of driving it. Most EVs pay off their additional impact of manufacturing in 6 months-2 years, depending on battery size.  If you can afford to purchase a much cleaner car and are most concerned about reducing carbon emissions, research shows that it is better to transition to an EV sooner. You can sell your old gasoline car to someone else who can use it until it reaches  the end of its life and is taken off the road. We need to increase the number of EVs on the road relative to gasoline-powered cars.

How will power outages affect my ability to charge an EV?

Some of the impact a power outage will have on EV drivers will depend on your household’s access to other transportation options. If a household has two gas cars and replaces one of those vehicles with an all-electric vehicle, they can consider if their  remaining gas car will be able to meet all their transportation needs in the event of a power outage or emergency. People who are more concerned about the impacts of a power outage can consider purchasing a plug-in hybrid EV instead of an all electric vehicle, or can install backup battery storage at their home if they have the financial means. 

While a power-outage is unlikely to really affect your ability to drive in most cases, it also never hurts to be prepared in case of a long-term outage caused by a natural disaster— the same way you would fill your gasoline-powered car with fuel or stock up on food ahead of time. While reserving your EV’s battery would be the best option, you could also use your L1 charging cable to plug into a portable power generator (or any working outlet anywhere, for that matter). You could also take your vehicle to a charging station outside of the affected area, or find an L3 charging station that uses solar power and/or backup battery storage to serve its customers.

Which would be the best option (cost / environmental benefits) -- installation of a fast-charging plug at home to use for off-hours charging or solar installation with battery storage to support EV charging?

It depends on your home and driving needs. Many people who travel less than 50 miles a day or have a plug-in hybrid are happy with L1 overnight charging from a regular 120v  outlet, and you may already have one in your garage or driveway. Adding a Level 2, 240v charger can cost as little as $800 or so if you have an uncomplicated install, but can get more expensive if you need to upgrade your panel. Solar with storage can cost more than $15,000 and on up, but will pay off in lowered electricity costs over the years, so it really depends on your driving needs and budget.

The federal Inflation Reduction Act can help with reducing the cost of panel upgrades, adding solar, and storage. 3CE can help with the cost of a panel upgrade or adding a charger, if you are in their service territory. SB Home Power is a new program to help you add solar and storage, and also contact a couple local solar installers to compare quotes.

What plans does Santa Barbara County have to support EV drivers? More charging stations are necessary for EVs to be a reliable commuter option.

CEC has helped install 1,000 public chargers on the Central Coast:

• Ventura County: 424+ public charging and 100+ fast charging stations

• Santa Barbara County: 263+ public charging and 38+ fast charging stations

• San Luis Obispo County: 282+ public charging and 34+ fast charging stations

CEC is part of the ElectricDrive805 collaborative which is working to bring additional EV charging to our region, promote EV friendly policies, provide EV education and awareness, and other actions to make it easier to drive EVs. 

How does the number of people living in my household affect the amount of incentives I qualify for? Must they be legal dependents?

Eligibility is different for each program. You can review the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project eligibility info and Clean Vehicle Assistance Program eligibility info.

What EMFs are produced by EVs and what are their potential impacts?

Most experts agree this isn’t a concern. Consumer Reports has an older study on EMF in hybrids, and Sierra Club has recently discussed the matter.

If I don't have access to an overnight Level 2 charger, can I regularly charge on a supercharger, or will it degrade the battery?

Frequently charging with DC fast chargers can degrade the battery more quickly, resulting in decreased efficiency. Charging with DC fast charging is only recommended when needed.