Tax incentives and/or other incentives for drivers of electric vehicles in Palo Alto.
Compressed natural gas, hydrogen, electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles meeting specified California and federal emissions standards and affixed with a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Clean Air Vehicle sticker may use HOV lanes regardless of the number of occupants in the vehicle. Blue stickers expire January 1, 2025; and yellow, burgundy, and green stickers expire September 30, 2025.
Vehicles originally issued white, green, orange, purple, or red decals are no longer eligible to participate in this program. Additionally, the Income-Based CAV Decal Program expired January 1, 2024. Vehicles with stickers are also eligible for reduced rates on or exemptions from toll charges imposed on HOT lanes. For more information and restrictions, including a list of qualifying vehicles and additional eligibility requirements, see the California Air Resources Board Carpool Stickers website.
(Reference Assembly Bill 2678, 2024 and California Vehicle Code 5205.5 and 21655.9)
A low-speed EV, also known as a neighborhood electric vehicle, is defined as a motor vehicle with four wheels, a gross vehicle weight rating of 3,000 pounds or less, and capable of achieving a minimum speed of 20 miles per hour (mph) and a maximum speed of 25 mph. Low-speed EVs are subject to all provisions applicable to a motor vehicle and must meet federal safety standards established in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 571.500. Drivers of low-speed EVs must comply with all provisions applicable to drivers of motor vehicles. The operator of a low-speed EV may not operate the vehicle on any roadway with a posted speed limit greater than 35 mph except to cross a roadway at an intersection.
(Reference California Vehicle Code 385.5 and 21250-21266)
The Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program (Program) provides incentives to cover the incremental cost of purchasing engines and equipment that are cleaner than required by law. Eligible projects include heavy-duty fleet modernization, light-duty vehicle replacements and retrofits, idle reduction technology, off-road vehicle and equipment purchases, and alternative fuel and electric vehicle infrastructure projects. The Program provides funds for significant near-term reductions in nitrogen oxide emissions, reactive organic gases, and particulate matter emissions. Funding is available until January 1, 2034. The California Air Resources Board, in consultation with local air districts, must convene working groups to evaluate the Program’s policies and goals.
Contact local air districts and see the program website for more information about grant funding availability and distribution.
(Reference California Health and Safety Code 44275-44299.2)
The California Energy Commission (CEC) administers the Clean Transportation Program (Program) to provide financial incentives for businesses, vehicle and technology manufacturers, workforce training partners, fleet owners, consumers, and academic institutions with the goal of developing and deploying alternative and renewable fuels and advanced transportation technologies. Funding areas include:
(Reference California Health and Safety Code 44272 - 44273 and California Code of Regulations, Title 13, Chapter 8.1)
Converting a vehicle to operate on an alternative fuel in lieu of the original gasoline or diesel fuel is prohibited unless the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has evaluated and certified the retrofit system. CARB will issue certification to the manufacturer of the system in the form of an Executive Order once the manufacturer demonstrates compliance with the emissions, warranty, and durability requirements. A manufacturer is defined as a person or company who manufactures or assembles an alternative fuel retrofit system for sale in California; this definition does not include individuals wishing to convert vehicles for personal use. Individuals interested in converting their vehicles to operate on an alternative fuel must ensure that the alternative fuel retrofit systems used for their vehicles have been CARB certified. For more information, see the CARB Alternative Fuel Retrofit Systems website.
A hybrid electric vehicle that is Model Year 2000 or newer and is a passenger car, light-duty truck, or medium-duty vehicle may be converted to incorporate off-vehicle charging capability if the manufacturer demonstrates compliance with emissions, warranty, and durability requirements. CARB issues certification to the manufacturer and the vehicle must meet California emissions standards for the model year of the original vehicle.
(Reference California Code of Regulations Title 13, Section 2030-2032 and California Vehicle Code 27156)
A common interest development, including a community apartment, condominium, and cooperative development, may not prohibit or restrict the installation or use of EV chargers or EV-dedicated time-of-use (TOU) meter in a homeowner’s designated parking space or unit. These entities may put reasonable restrictions on EV chargers, but the policies may not significantly increase the cost of the EV chargers or significantly decrease their efficiency or performance. Restrictions may be placed on TOU meter installations if the restrictions are based on the structure of or available space in the building. If installation in the homeowner’s designated parking space or unit is not possible, with authorization, the homeowner may add EV chargers or an EV-dedicated TOU meter in a common area. The homeowner must obtain appropriate approvals from the common interest development association and agree in writing to comply with applicable architectural standards, engage a licensed installation contractor, provide a certificate of insurance, and pay for the electricity usage, maintenance, and other costs associated with the EV chargers or TOU meter. Any application for approval should be processed by the common interest development association without willful avoidance or delay. The homeowner and each successive homeowner of the parking space or unit equipped with EV chargers or a TOU meter is responsible for the cost of the installation, maintenance, repair, removal, or replacement of the equipment, as well as any resulting damage to the EV chargers, TOU meter, or surrounding area. The homeowner must also maintain a $1 million umbrella liability coverage policy and name the common interest development as an additional insured entity under the policy. If EV chargers or an EV-dedicated TOU meter is installed in a common area for use by all members of the association, the common interest development must develop terms for use of the EV chargers or TOU meter.
(Reference California Civil Code 4745, 4745.1, and 6713)
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) administers the Drive Clean! Rebate Program, which provides rebates for the purchase or lease of eligible new vehicles, including qualified natural gas, hydrogen fuel cell, all-electric, plug-in electric vehicles, and zero emission motorcycles. The program offers rebates of up to $3,000, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis for residents and businesses located in the SJVAPCD. For more information, including a list of eligible vehicles and other requirements, see the SJVAPCD Drive Clean! Rebate Program website.
The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) published mandatory building standards requiring pre-wiring for EV charger installation in parking spaces at one- and two-family housing units with attached private garages, multi-family dwellings, commercial facilities, and public buildings in the California Green Building Standards Code within the California Building Standards Code.
New one- and two-unit single family dwellings or townhouses with attached private garages must have an electrical conduit installed that is capable of supporting a Level 2 EV charger. For new multifamily housing and hotels, 40% of parking spaces must be capable of supporting a low-power Level 2 EV charger and 10% of parking spaces must be equipped with Level 2 EV chargers.
For public parking facilities, minimum EV charger pre-wiring installation requirements are based on the number of parking spaces, per parking facility, as follows:
| Total Actual Parking Spaces | Required EV-Capable Parking Spaces | Required Number of Parking Spaces with Level 2 EV Chargers |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 to 25 | 4 | 0 |
| 26 to 50 | 8 | 2 |
| 51 to 75 | 13 | 3 |
| 76 to 100 | 17 | 4 |
| 101 to 151 | 25 | 6 |
| 151 to 200 | 35 | 9 |
| 201 and over | 20% of total parking spaces | 25% of EV-capable parking spaces |
Public facilities must also install accessible EV chargers when installing new or additional EV chargers. Minimum accessible EV charger installation requirements, per parking facility, are as follows:
| Total EV Chargers | Van Accessible EV Chargers | Standard Accessible EV Chargers | Ambulatory Accessible EV Chargers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 to 25 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 26 to 50 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 51 to 75 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 76 to 100 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 101 and over | 1, plus 1 for each 300, or fraction thereof, over 100 | 3, plus 1 for each 60, or fraction thereof, over 100 | 3, plus 1 for each 50, or fraction thereof, over 100 |
In cases in which EV chargers can simultaneously charge more than one vehicle, the number of EV chargers provided shall be considered equivalent to the number of EVs that can be simultaneously charged.
Beginning January 1, 2023, CBSC must convene a workshop to evaluate demand for EV charging infrastructure, electric load forecasts, and statewide transportation electrification goals and use the workshop’s findings to recommend updates to EV charging station building standards. The workshop must convene and propose recommendations on a triennial basis. CBSC must also publish guidance and best practices for installing EV charging stations.
Additional requirements may apply. For more information, including exemptions and additional regulations and requirements, see the CBSC website.
(Reference California Health and Safety Code 18941.10, 18941.11, and 18941.17, California Green Building Standards Title 24, Part 11, Chapters 4 and 5, and California Building Code Chapters 2 and 11B)
Electricity used to charge EVs at a state-owned parking facility is exempt from California law prohibiting gifting public money or items of value.
(Reference California Government Code 14678)
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Loss Reserve Program financing allows property owners to borrow funds to pay for energy improvements, including purchasing and installing EV chargers. The borrower repays the financing over a defined period of time through a special assessment on the property. Local governments in California are authorized to establish PACE programs. Property owners must agree to a contractual assessment on the property tax bill, have a clean property title, and be current on property taxes and mortgages. Financing limits are 15% of the first $700,000 of the property value and 10% of the remaining property value. For more information, see the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority PACE Loss Reserve Program website.
(Reference California Public Resources Code 26050-26082)
Find all electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in and/or near Palo Alto (California). Search and compare local EV charging stations in Palo Alto, and find a convenient location to charge your car.