California fleets now have access to a new round of electric truck purchase support, but the first funding window is limited. The current funding window opened June 26 and runs through July 31, 2026.
The California Clean Fuel Reward is now available for eligible medium- and heavy-duty battery-electric commercial vehicles, offering point-of-sale or lease price reductions for fleets purchasing or leasing new vehicles through participating retailers. The program is designed to reduce the upfront cost of new battery-electric trucks used in commercial operations in California.
The program applies to eligible new Class 2b through Class 8 battery-electric vehicles, with reward amounts based on vehicle weight class. Class 2b vehicles qualify for $7,500, Class 3–4 vehicles qualify for $15,000, Class 5 vehicles qualify for $60,000, Class 6–7 vehicles qualify for $85,000, and Class 8 vehicles qualify for $120,000. The Class 2b reward is limited to public fleets subject to California’s Advanced Clean Fleets rule.
The California Clean Fuel Reward is structured around funding windows that open periodically, rather than a single open-ended pool. That means fleets with near-term electric truck purchases, approved vehicle specifications, and participating retailers may be in a stronger position to reserve funds during the current window.
The program is available to commercial vehicle buyers, including public agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, that purchase or lease eligible new battery-electric vehicles from participating retailers. Vehicles must be used for commercial operations, which the program defines as carrying people, property, or hazardous materials in support of operational or organizational functions.
The reward is applied once per eligible vehicle as a direct reduction in the purchase or lease price. Eligible vehicles must be new battery-electric vehicles with 7,500 miles or less and cannot have been previously owned or leased by a customer. Buses, terminal tractors, yard spotters, hybrid vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, other alternative-fuel vehicles, electric power take-off vehicles, and pre-owned battery-electric vehicles are not eligible.
The California Clean Fuel Reward is funded through California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard and is not funded by customer or ratepayer dollars. The program was established by the California Air Resources Board in collaboration with participating California electric utilities. Southern California Edison serves as the program administrator on behalf of participating electric distribution utilities across the state.
The program can also be combined with certain other incentives, but the rules vary by vehicle class and funding source. Class 8 vehicles can be stacked with California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project, while Class 2b through Class 7 vehicles cannot be stacked with HVIP. The Carl Moyer Program can be stacked with the California Clean Fuel Reward, and other state, local, regional, utility, and financing programs may also be compatible, subject to each program’s rules. Total stacked funding, including the California Clean Fuel Reward, cannot exceed 90% of the vehicle cost, excluding taxes and fees.
The program’s claims process is handled by participating retailers, not directly by fleets. Retailers are responsible for verifying customer and vehicle eligibility, applying the reward at the time of sale or lease, submitting claim information, and receiving reimbursement from the program. Fleets that are considering near-term electric truck purchases will need to confirm whether their preferred dealer or lessor is participating in the program.
Customers must also meet operational requirements after receiving the reward. Eligible vehicles must maintain active California registration or an application for registration, remain under ownership or lease for at least three years, and have at least 50% of utilization in California during the initial three-year period.
