TL;DR
- Three money sources: SDG&E rebate (up to $200 standard, $1,000 income-qualifying), federal 30C tax credit (30% of install cost, up to $1,000), and TOU off-peak charging savings ($300-$700/year).
- On a typical $1,400 install, stacking SDG&E ($200) + federal 30C ($420) drops net out-of-pocket to $780. Income-qualifying households can reach near $0.
- Off-peak EV-TOU-5 charging rates (midnight-6 a.m.) are roughly half of on-peak rates — set your charger to schedule overnight.
- TECH Clean California and CVRP are no longer available for EV chargers in 2026. Always check SDG&E and IRS directly for current program details.
If you’re installing a Level 2 EV charger in San Diego County in 2026, there are three real money sources you should claim. Two are easy. One depends on income. All three are worth the paperwork.
Here’s what’s available right now.
How does the SDG&E EV charger rebate work?
SDG&E runs a rebate program for residential EV charger installation. The program changes annually — current details on SDG&E’s website always supersede this article — but as of early 2026:
Standard residential rebate: Up to $200 for a qualified Level 2 hardwired charger, with proof of installation by a licensed electrician.
Income-qualifying residential rebate: Up to $1,000 for households at or below specified income thresholds (typically tied to CARE/FERA program eligibility). Income verification required.
What you need to file:
- Line-item installation invoice from a licensed electrician (we provide)
- Charger make, model, and UL certification (we include in the invoice)
- Your SDG&E account number
- For income-qualifying tier: proof of income or CARE/FERA enrollment
Filing time: 15–20 minutes online through SDG&E’s customer portal.
Common reasons applications get denied:
- Charger not on SDG&E’s qualified list (Tesla Wall Connector, ChargePoint Home Flex, Wallbox Pulsar Plus all qualify)
- Installation by an unlicensed contractor or DIY (must be C-10 licensed)
- Missing UL certification number on the invoice
- Application filed more than 12 months after install (current cutoff)
We don’t file the paperwork on your behalf — the application requires personal SDG&E account info and sometimes income verification we don’t store. But we provide the invoice and equipment specs in the format SDG&E asks for.
How much does the federal 30C tax credit save you?
The Inflation Reduction Act 30C credit covers 30% of installation cost up to $1,000 for residential EV charger installations. Currently active through 2032.
For a typical $1,400 install, you’d get $420 back via the federal credit alone.
For a $3,000 install (long conduit run, panel upgrade, weather-rated outdoor mount), you’d get the full $1,000 credit.
What you need:
- The same line-item invoice you used for SDG&E
- IRS Form 8911 (“Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit”) filed with your federal tax return
- Your tax preparer (or tax software) handles the rest
Important caveat: The 30C credit requires that the charger be installed in a U.S. census tract that is either rural or low-income. Most of San Diego County qualifies, but check the IRS qualified census tract tool before assuming. Wealthier coastal communities like Rancho Santa Fe and parts of La Jolla may not qualify; most other San Diego addresses do.
The credit is non-refundable but rolls forward — meaning if your tax bill is smaller than the credit, you can apply the rest to next year.
How much can you save by charging off-peak?
Not technically a “rebate” but worth more than either above for most EV owners over the long term.
If you’re on SDG&E’s standard EV-TOU-5 plan (or successor), off-peak rates between midnight and 6 a.m. are roughly half of on-peak rates. A typical EV adds 2,000–4,000 kWh per year to your electricity use; the difference between on-peak and off-peak charging can be $300–$700 per year in saved electricity costs.
To capture this:
- Set your EV’s charge schedule (or your charger’s schedule) to start at 12:01 a.m. and stop when full
- Most EVs and Level 2 chargers have built-in scheduling
- Some smart chargers (ChargePoint Home Flex, Tesla Wall Connector via app) can charge based on real-time electricity rates
Confirm you’re on the right rate plan. SDG&E offers EV-specific TOU plans that aren’t automatic — you have to opt in. The two key plans for EV owners (as of 2026):
- EV-TOU-5: Time-of-use with super off-peak rates midnight–6 a.m.
- EV-TOU-2: A simpler tier that may benefit lighter EV usage
We’re not utility-rate consultants. SDG&E offers a free rate analysis through their customer portal — log in, enter your EV adoption details, and they’ll model which plan saves the most based on your actual usage.
What does the total savings look like when you stack them?
Here’s a real example for a typical installation:
Install scope: Tesla Wall Connector hardwired in a garage, 25-foot conduit run from a 200-amp panel, no panel upgrade needed.
- Install cost: $1,400
- SDG&E standard rebate: $200
- Federal 30C credit (30% of $1,400): $420
- Net out-of-pocket after rebates: $780
For an income-qualifying household, the SDG&E rebate jumps to $1,000, bringing net to roughly $0 (or even net-positive when factoring in TOU savings over 5 years).
For a more complex install:
Install scope: ChargePoint Home Flex outdoor mount, 60-foot exterior conduit run from interior panel, weather-rated install, no panel upgrade.
- Install cost: $2,400
- SDG&E standard rebate: $200
- Federal 30C credit (30% of $2,400, capped at $1,000): $720
- Net out-of-pocket: $1,480
Annual TOU savings (~$500) recovers the net cost in roughly 3 years.
Which programs are no longer available in 2026?
A few notes on what’s not available in 2026 (in case you’ve seen older articles or videos):
- TECH Clean California has phased out residential EV charger rebates (now focused on heat pumps — if you’re considering a heat pump, Climate Pros SD can walk you through the TECH incentives on the equipment side while we handle the electrical)
- CVRP (Clean Vehicle Rebate Project) was for the EV itself, not the charger, and has ended
- Clean Cars 4 All is for EV purchase by income-qualifying households, not chargers
Always check SDG&E and IRS directly for current details — programs change frequently.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get the SDG&E EV charger rebate?
Processing times vary, but most rebates arrive within 4 to 8 weeks after filing through SDG&E’s online portal. You’ll need a line-item invoice from a licensed C-10 electrician, the charger’s UL certification number, and your SDG&E account number.
Can I claim the federal 30C tax credit and the SDG&E rebate together?
Yes. They stack. On a typical $1,400 install, the SDG&E standard rebate ($200) plus the federal 30C credit ($420) drops your net cost to about $780. Income-qualifying households can reach near $0 with SDG&E’s higher tier.
Does my San Diego address qualify for the 30C tax credit?
Most of San Diego County qualifies. The 30C credit requires installation in a census tract classified as rural or low-income. Wealthier coastal communities like Rancho Santa Fe and parts of La Jolla may not qualify. Check the IRS qualified census tract tool before assuming.
Is the EV-TOU-5 rate plan worth switching to?
If you charge at home, yes. Off-peak rates between midnight and 6 a.m. are roughly half of on-peak rates. A typical EV adds 2,000–4,000 kWh per year — the on-peak vs. off-peak difference saves $300 to $700 annually. You have to opt in through SDG&E; it’s not automatic.
Related guides
Planning the install itself? Our EV charger installation guide covers charger selection, panel load calcs, permitting, and what to expect on install day. For a broader look at what electrical work costs across job types, see our electrician pricing guide.
Service area
We install Level 2 EV chargers across San Diego County and provide the documentation you need to file SDG&E and federal paperwork. Heavy install density in Carmel Valley, Rancho Bernardo, Poway, San Marcos, and Carlsbad where EV adoption is highest, but available everywhere from coastal to mountain communities.
See our full EV charger installation service page or our complete EV install guide. Call (858) 400-8901 for a quote.