Electric Cars For Sale in San Francisco, CA (2024)

FAQs

Is it worth buying electric car in California? ›

From a cost perspective, yes, it is a good time to buy. Federal and state incentives are bringing certain EVs on par with the cost of gas vehicles.

The Electrify Your Ride Program offers 3CE customers that purchase a new battery-electric vehicle with a rebate of $2,000. Customers that purchased a used battery-electric vehicle are eligible for a $1,000 rebate.

Top models

Two Tesla cars—Model Y and Model 3—are the best-selling ones overall in California. All-electric car registrations [select models] (Jan-Dec 2023): Tesla Model Y (132,636): #1 in Luxury Compact SUV (64.8% share) Tesla Model 3 (82,786): #1 in Near Luxury Cars (52.8% share)

By the numbers: At a public charging station in California, it costs an average of $0.50 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to charge an electric car at a public charging station in California, according to data gathered by Stable Auto, an EV charger software developer. That's compared to the national average of $0.45 per kWh.

Available rebates and tax credits

The State of California provides a rebate of $1,000 to $4,500 through the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) for the purchase or lease of qualified cars. Qualifying low-income households may receive an additional $2,500 rebate.

Electric cars use completely different drivetrains, so you will never have to worry about routine oil changes that are necessary for traditional cars. Though your electric car does not need oil, it requires a routine check on these 3 fluids in EVs; coolant, brake fluid, and windshield washing fluid.

Income-qualified applicants may receive $4,000 based on their household level of income for the purchase or lease of a pre-owned EV. Customers who qualify for the Rebate Plus Option, are automatically approved for a $700 rebate for purchasing eligible EV charging equipment.

The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) is closed, effective November 8, 2023. CVRP offered up to $7,500 to purchase or lease a new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), battery electric vehicle (BEV), or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

If you purchased a qualifying plug-in EV or clean vehicle during the required timeframes (either after December 31, 2009, through December 31, 2022, or January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2032), you can claim the respective credit by filling out Form 8936 and attaching it to your Form 1040 when you file your tax ...

Several automakers have said that concerns about driving range and charging infrastructure are increasing. These issues may lead consumers to have second thoughts about buying an EV.

What percentage of Californians drive electric cars? ›

So far, the increased market share for electric vehicles means California is moving toward hitting its goals: Electric vehicles in California made up 25% of the new car market last year, up from nearly 19% in 2022.

It costs an average of $56 to charge an electric car monthly and $674 a year if you only charge at home. You can expect to pay around $0.05 per mile to charge your EV compared to $0.13 per mile to fuel your gas-powered car.

Generally, EV car batteries last from 10 to 20 years. Certain factors like heat, cold, or swift charging times can negatively affect that and reduce performance. Manufacturers have already included protective measures like thermal management systems and charging restrictions.

EV drivers who charge up at home spend about $11.60 per 100 miles. The price difference is more dramatic for those who mainly recharge at stations. Frequent charging station users pay $14.40 per 100 miles.

A 2020 Consumer Reports study similarly showed that EV drivers tend to spend about 60 percent less each year on fuel costs compared to drivers of gas-powered cars.

AAA estimates that the electricity needed to drive 15,000 miles per year in a compact EV costs an average of $546. The organization estimates that with a similar gas-powered vehicle, it would cost $1,255 to drive the same distance. Using those estimates, driving an EV can save you $709 in fuel costs annually.

To summarize, then, the high registration fees are based on the high current value of the vehicle and the fact that it is an EV (presumably because it is heavier than ICE vehicle of the same class and/or to compensate for non-payment of gas-tax).

California's zero-emission rules will cut smog-causing pollution from light-duty vehicles by 25% by 2037. The rules mandate 35% of the new cars sold be plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV), EVs or hydrogen fuel cell by 2026. That proportion will rise to 68% by 2030 and 100% by 2035.