SCE $450 EV Rebate Applies To New And Used Cars

Southern California Edison is offering people who drive a plug-in or electric car a one time cash rebate of $450. What makes it different from other EV rebate programs is that it applies to second and third owners and those who lease cars as well. Typically, an EV rebate like the federal tax credit only helps new car buyers. If someone leases a new EV, those rebates go to leasing company (which is often a division of the manufacturer). Although that may help lower the customer’s lease payment, it puts no cash in the driver’s pocket.

“We hope that making second and third car owners eligible for a rebate will help stimulate the market for used electric vehicles,” said Laura Renger, SCE principal manager for Air and Climate Policy. “Not only will customers get a payment, they will also save because electricity is a low-cost fuel. Average fuel costs for an electric vehicle are 50 percent less than a car that runs on gasoline.”

Customers don’t need to jump through hoops to claim the rebate. It can all be done online at the Clean Fuel Rewards website. All that is required is that the name and address on the registration match up with an established SCE residential account. Once all the information is submitted an verified. SCE sends the customer a check.

The Clean Fuel Rewards Program is part of the state of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program, which combats climate change by encouraging the use of low and zero emissions vehiucles. SCE earns credits when customers use electricity at home to charge their electric vehicles. The value of these credits funds the Clean Fuel Rewards program.

SCE is also its Charge Ready program to promote driving on electrons instead of molecules by expanding the EV charging infrastructure in its service area. The expansion will add about 1,000 charging stations at workplaces, hospitals, destination centers, and apartment and condo complexes. Charge Ready targets places where vehicles are normally parked for a period of 4 hours of more. The first Charge Ready EV charger is located at the Lynwood City Hall and became operational in April.

Source: Electric Cars Report