CA EV rebate to launch July 1?

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Think this is new news. https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/07/16/g...er-instant-rebates-for-first-time-zev-buyers/

The key line for me: The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is overseeing the program. Details on when the funding will be available and how to access it are expected next month.

Oof ... quick glance and I don't see the line about no limit for auto companies with HQ in California. Maybe that's in the details next month.

The carve out for CA based manufacturers is in the law. And the law has been signed by Newsom hasn’t it? CARB’s responsibility is to execute and enforce. They have no power to change laws. That’s the state legislature’s power. Should Rivian choose to participate, the only thing remaining is the date it starts for would-be Rivian buyers and whether it credit can be claimed retroactively for those who buy before the date. The carve out will not change, unless Tesla or someone else sues and win.

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[Zathras]

Or they, the lawmakers, being predominantly D are snubbing Musk... for obvious reasons. Plus, since Tesla is no longer HQ'd in CA, it probably doesn't pay as much tax in CA than it did before. So why then would CA write a law to benefit a company that is no longer HQ'ed in the state?

Straight from InsideEVs article:


The possibility is there, so is the possibility of reading too much into what is not known.

Or could it be that Rivian is new to the game and hasn't produced that many vehicles so far, and they want to help them get a foothold. Meanwhile Tesla had at one point lost their access to such financial support because they have vastly exceeded the maximum number of vehicles a company was allowed to produce? Something every car maker was subject to. But things changed.

But then it could be the jackassery by Musk when he moved his HQ to Texas because he refused to accept being taxed like every other corporation in California and made a big fuss about it when he left. I wouldn't blame law makers for saying "screw Musk."

But I suspect it's more about wanting to support companies who need it with the limited funds involved. And it's not like Tesla isn't getting partially supported. The cheapest Teslas start quite a bit below $50K. Just the kind of buyers who might need help to buy their vehicles.