Gavin Newsom blasts Trump while rolling out new $3,500 EV rebates

Gov.Gavin Newsom on Friday rolled out details of a new program to provide instant rebates of up to $3,500 for Californians buying their first electric vehicles — pitching the state-backed incentive as a direct rebuke to President Trump’s fossil fuel push and rollback of federal EV support.“While Donald Trump is hellbent on burning more expensive fossil fuels and raising costs for Americans, California is proving there’s a better way,” Newsom said.Trump has spent his second term dismantling Biden-era EV policies, including blocking California’s landmark 2035 zero-emission vehicle rules and moving to unwind federal incentives and regulations designed to accelerate the shift away from gas-powered cars.Hyundai, Lucid and Tesla have begun offering rebates through the state’s MyFirstEV program, according to the governor’s office, allowing eligible buyers to get the discount directly at the dealership without filing an application or waiting for a reimbursement.Ford, Rivian, Chevrolet and Kia are expected to join the program later this month, followed by Toyota, Lexus, Honda and Subaru in September and Mitsubishi in November.

Nissan and Volvo have not yet set launch dates.The program offers $3,500 toward a new zero-emission vehicle with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of up to $50,000 and $1,750 toward a used vehicle costing up to $25,000 through participating manufacturers’ pre-owned programs.The rebate is available to Californians purchasing their first zero-emission vehicle.The state is putting $135.5 million into the program, with automakers providing a dollar-for-dollar match for $271 million in combined incentives.“California is showing the world what real economic security looks like,” Newsom said.

“It’s one that can’t be held hostage by foreign conflicts and Big Oil.” He added, “The Golden State is leading the charge on building a reliable, affordable clean future.”Newsom’s EV announcement also trumpeted a major mile...