California Clean Fuel Reward Provides an ‘On the Hood’ Price Reduction for Eligible Vehicles at Participating EV Retailers

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 17, 2020 – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and other California electric utilities are teaming up with the California Air Resouces Board (CARB) to offer the California Clean Fuel Reward (CCFR), a point-of sale incentive of up to $1,500 for the purchase or lease of any eligible new battery electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle from a participating automotive retailer. Starting on Nov. 17, customers will be able to purchase an eligible vehicle from an enrolled retailer and receive an instant reduction in the purchase price.

“This new incentive program will help put zero-emission vehicles within the reach of more residents in our region, at a time when consumer interest in electric vehicles is growing and more people are discovering the fun and convenience of driving electric,” said Estela de Llanos, vice president, clean transportation, sustainability and chief environmental officer at SDG&E. “With wider adoption of EVs, our region will also benefit from improved air quality and reduced carbon emissions.”

Transportation is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in California, accounting for approximately 40% of all GHGs in the state. To help fight climate change, Gov. Newsom issued an executive order in September requiring all new cars sold in California to be zero-emission starting in 2035. Locally, SDG&E has multiple projects underway to expand the electric vehicle charging network to facilitate the transition to zero-emission transportation.

The Clean Fuel Reward can be combined with existing post-sale federal, state and local incentives, such as the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, Clean Cars 4 All, and the Clean Vehicle Assistance Program, to make EVs even more affordable.

Taking advantage of the incentive is easy. When making an EV purchase at an enrolled retailer in California, the retailer will simply include the reward in the transaction at the point of sale. There is no need to the customer to do any paperwork after the sale to receive the reward. The CCFR is one of the most straightforward and inclusive rewards in the market, as it is available to everyone in California. The list of enrolled retailers and eligible vehicles are available at cleanfuelreward.com and will be continually updated as the new retailers and EV models are added.

“The goal of the program is to accelerate the number of electric vehicles on California’s roads and highways,” said CARB Vice-Chair Sandy Berg. “The instant point-of-sale incentive of up to $1,500, along with other programs like Clean Cars 4 All, will help make these ultra-clean cars more affordable, especially for low-income families or those living in disadvantaged communities.”

The CCFR is funded by electric utilities participating in CARB’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Program. From its beginning in 2011, the LCFS has helped cleaner fuels displace more than 16 billion gallons of liquid petroleum fuels. The program allows producers of clean fuels, such as electric utilities, to generate credits they can sell to producers with more carbon-intense products. Sales of those credits help fund programs such as the Clean Fuel Reward.

Southern California Edison is administering the program on behalf of, and in collaboration with, all participating utilities. The CCFR is available to all California residents, regardless of utility provider and participation.

SDG&E is an innovative San Diego-based energy company that provides clean, safe and reliable energy to better the lives of the people it serves in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The company is committed to creating a sustainable future by providing its electricity from renewable

sources; modernizing natural gas pipelines; accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles; supporting numerous non-profit partners; and, investing in innovative technologies to ensure the reliable operation of the region’s infrastructure for generations to come. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE). For more information, visit SDGEnews.com or connect with SDG&E on Twitter (@SDGE), Instagram (@SDGE) and Facebook.

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