State EV rebate bill set for full vote

SAN FRANCISCO — Senate Democratic leaders on Friday moved a $3-billion spending plan that would dramatically raise state rebate amounts on electric and plugin hybrid cars to a full floor vote in the Assembly and the Senate.

The action came moments after a representative of the state Department of Finance opposed the bill because it calls for the “appropriation of billions without identifying a funding source.”

The Senate Appropriations Committee cleared the bill on a 5-2 vote, setting it to be approved or not by Sept. 15, when the current legislative session ends. The committee’s two Republicans voted no.

The bill has been roundly criticized for lack of detail and confusing language, and has undergone several transformations during the legislative session.

The bill directs the state Air Resources Board to devise a formula for car rebates. A single rebate amount would be set that would account for the difference in price between a compact electric car and a traditionally powered compact car, according to the bill.

Sponsor Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) has suggested a Chevy Bolt EV could be compared against the bestselling compact in California, which currently is the Honda Civic. That could mean a rebate of $8,000 to $10,000 or more.

The $3 billion, to be spent between now and 2030, is six times higher than the nearly $500 million spent on EV rebates so far.

More amendments are likely before full Senate and Assembly votes, bill supporters said, though no details were offered.

Ting told The Times last week that a lid could be put on the sticker price of a qualifying car, perhaps $50,000.