California EV charger rebates can cut installation costs from $3,000+ down to under $500 — but only if you apply to the right program, in the right order, with the right paperwork. Here's exactly how it works in 2026, utility by utility.

Before installing a home EV charger in California, three questions matter most: can your electrical panel handle the load, does solar integration actually save money, and what happens if you skip the panel upgrade? Here's the honest answer to all three.