
San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) customers looking to buy an electric car are being offered $10,000 off the purchase of a new 2017 Nissan LEAF or any new 2017 BMW i3 model at participating local dealerships.
These discounts are on top of existing state and federal EV incentives, which can total another $10,000 in savings. The auto discounts are good through Sept. 30, 2017 or until inventories run out.
The Nissan flier can be downloaded here, and the BMW flier can be downloaded here. The discount offers are funded solely by the automakers, not SDG&E ratepayer funds. More information is available here: sdge.com/EVDiscount.
State EV Incentives
To put EVs within the reach of everyday Californians, the state Air Resources Board through its Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) provides enhanced EV rebates to low- and moderate-income families—$4,500 worth of rebates for the all-electric/zero-emissions vehicles, including the LEAF and BMW i3 models. The program reserved $8 million for income-qualified applicants, and prioritizes payments to them. For a family of four to qualify for an enhanced rebate, their household income cannot exceed $73,800.
All other applicants can apply to be on a waitlist for standard rebates (which is $1,500 for a plug-in hybrid and $2,500 for an all-electric car), pending additional state appropriations for the program.
EV Climate Credit
In addition to the rebate program, all SDG&E customers who own or lease a plug-in hybrid or an all-electric vehicle are eligible for the annual EV Climate Credit – made possible through the California Air Resources Board’s program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. EV drivers may sign up now for the 2018 Climate Credit.
Federal Incentives
The federal government also provides a tax credit of $2,500-$7,500 for an EV purchase. The amount of the credit varies based on the battery capacity.
Electric Rates to Help EV Owners Save
SDG&E customers who drive EVs can save money by signing up for an electric vehicle time-of-use rate and program their car to charge during the cheapest times of night – like midnight to 6 a.m.
Customers who want to drive electric and live in an apartment or condo can connect their property manager with SDG&E’s Power Your Drive program to learn about how SDG&E will install low- to no-cost charging at their property.