Paramount is proud to support the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) by installing and facilitating EV charging stations throughout the City. City-owned stations are now available at the Civic Center/City Hall (16400 Colorado Ave), the Sheriff’s Station (15001 Paramount Blvd), and Progress Park (15500 Downey Ave), with additional stations coming soon to Dills Park and Paramount Park. Publicly accessible chargers are also located at KFC (7905 Alondra Blvd), Tierra Mia Coffee (14318 Downey Ave), and in industrial business parks at 7723 Somerset Blvd and 14538 Garfield Ave.

In 2022, the City Council adopted an ordinance establishing an expedited approval process for EV charging systems. This EV Charging Station Requirements and Review Process aligns with Measure TR1 of the Paramount Climate Action Plan, which supports fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles. Strategy TR1b specifically calls for an ordinance that sets minimum EV charging standards and streamlines permitting for new residential and commercial developments.

Grants/Credits/Rebates

Replace Your Ride

Program Administrator:

• South Coast Air Quality Management District

Description:

• Replace your older, high-emission vehicle with a newer vehicle, a hybrid or electric vehicle, or get vouchers for rideshares or public transit passes.

Amount:

• Rebates range based on household income, up to $9,500

Eligibility:

• The Replace Your Ride Program is available for individuals who live within the jurisdiction of the South Coast Air Quality Management District and in households with household income at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). Visit the Replacement options page to view replacement vehicle and alternative transportation mobility options by income level. See table below for income level information.
• Check your eligibility

For families/households with more than eight persons, add $4,320 for each additional person.

Vehicle Eligibility:

• To be eligible for the Replace Your Ride Program, your vehicle must:
• Have a vehicle title issued in your name for at least 24 months prior to the date of application submittal
• Must have been owned and operated in California for the past 24 months
• The vehicle title must NOT show a lienholder (all lienholders must be cleared with the DMV)
• Be operational for the entirety of the RYR application process
• Be powered by gasoline or diesel
• Have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds of less
• Vehicle Model Year must be 2010 or older
• Vehicle must be able to demonstrate that it is operable, roadworthy, and have 30+ months of remaining useful life

In addition, your vehicle must also meet the following requirements:

• Currently registered with DMV in California as an operational vehicle with a valid and unexpired registration sticker and have all fees paid to DMV, with no lapse in registration for more than 120 days for two consecutive years prior to the current registration expiration date, OR
• Unregistered or currently registered vehicles where the vehicle owner can demonstrate two years of vehicle operation in California using:
  • Vehicle insurance company-issued documentation, OR
  • Automotive Repair Dealer-issued invoice documentation (Automotive Repair Dealer must be registered with the Bureau of Automotive Repair)
  • Registration showing PNO will not be accepted as proof of operation
• For vehicles that hold a salvage title, the vehicle MUST be registered with the DMV as operable at the time of application.
• The vehicle does NOT need to pass or fail a smog test to be eligible for the program.
• An emissions test report that records the Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydrocarbons (HC), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions of the vehicle is needed. Eligibility for the program is dependent on the emission results. Currently ONLY the two tests listed below will provide the needed data:
  • Remote Sensing Device (RSD) Emissions Test – This test is available free of charge from the program. The information on the next test event will be provided after the application is submitted and assigned to a Case Manager, -OR-
  • Acceleration Simulation Mode (ASM) Emissions Test – If the vehicle is model year 2000 or newer, an ASM test may be problematic since Smog Check Stations may ONLY offer an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) test for those vehicles. The On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) test is not an acceptable test.

Apply:

• Get Started Online
• Download the Application and Agreement Form
  • If you don’t want to fill out the application form online, please download and complete the application and agreement form.
  • Application and Agreement Form
• If you need help to apply, please contact (844)797-2223

Clean Vehicle Grants

To learn more about program opportunities, visit https://cleanvehiclegrants.org.

Consumer Assistance Program (Repair Assistance)

Program Administrator:

• California Bureau of Auto Repair

Description:

• The Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) is administered by the Bureau of Automotive Repair. The purpose of CAP is to improve California’s air quality by reducing vehicle emissions.
• If you own a vehicle that has failed its Smog Check inspection, you may be eligible to receive up to $500 in emissions-related repairs at a STAR test-and-repair station.

Applicant Eligibility:

• Your gross household income must be less than or equal to 225% of the Federal poverty level.
• To determine if you meet this requirement, check here.
  • IMPORTANT: You may be required to provide documentation verifying your income before your application can be processed.

1. You must be the registered owner of the vehicle with the vehicle title issued in your name.
2. You must pay the STAR test-and-repair station co-payment. The co-payment applies to the total cost of diagnosis and emissions-related repairs.

Vehicle Eligibility:

•  To ensure CAP improves California’s air quality by reducing vehicle emissions, vehicles must meet operational and registration requirements such as:
• Smog Check — This allows CAP to verify the vehicle has failed its biennial Smog Check inspection as required by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
• Your vehicle must not have a tampered emissions control system
• Vehicle Registration — Your vehicle must be currently registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with a valid and unexpired registration sticker OR have all fees paid to DMV and not have a registration sticker that has been expired more than 365 days. Your vehicle must not be undergoing a transfer of ownership. Your vehicle must not be undergoing an initial registration or re-registration into California. Your vehicle must not be registered to a business, government agency, or non-profit organization. Your vehicle must not be junked. Your vehicle must not be a total loss salvaged undergoing re-registration (i.e., salvage retention) in California.

Amount: 

• Income eligible vehicle owners may receive up to $500 in emissions-related repairs if their vehicle fails a biennial Smog Check inspection.

Apply:

• Participation is available on a first-come, first-served basis each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) until funds are exhausted.
• Consumer Assistance Program Application
• For questions about your Consumer Assistance Program application or records, you may contact the Bureau of Automotive Repair’s Consumer Assistance Program at 10949 North Mather Boulevard, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 or by phone at (866) 272-9642.

Consumer Assistance Program (Vehicle Retirement)

Program Administrator:

• California Bureau of Auto Repair

Description:

• The Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) is administered by the Bureau of Automotive Repair. The purpose of CAP is to improve California’s air quality by reducing vehicle emissions.
• If you own an operational vehicle that recently passed or failed a Smog Check inspection, you may be eligible to receive an incentive to retire your vehicle.
• Frequently Asked Questions

Applicant Eligibility:

• Your gross household income must be less than or equal to 225% of the Federal poverty level.
  • IMPORTANT: You may be required to provide documentation verifying your income before your application can be processed.

• Use the Income Eligibility Calculator below to determine which incentive you may be eligible to receive.

Vehicle Eligibility:

•  To ensure CAP improves California’s air quality by reducing vehicle emissions, vehicles must meet operational and registration requirements such as:
• Smog Check — This allows CAP to verify the vehicle has failed its biennial Smog Check inspection as required by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
• Vehicle Registration — This allows CAP to verify the vehicle is currently registered in California and has been registered in California for two consecutive years preceding the current registration expiration date.

Amount:

• Income eligible vehicle owners may receive $1,500 to retire their vehicle. All others may receive $1,000.

Apply:

• Participation is available on a first-come, first-served basis each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) until funds are exhausted.
• Consumer Assistance Program Application

Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicle Credit (IRC 30D)

Program Administrator:

• The Federal Internal Revenue Service

Description:

• Internal Revenue Code Section 30D provides a credit for Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicles including passenger vehicles and light trucks.

Amount:

• The credit ranges between $2,500 and $7,500, depending on the capacity of the battery.

Eligibility:

• You may be eligible for a credit under Section 30D(a), if you purchased a car or truck with at least four wheels and a gross vehicle weight of less than 14,000 pounds that draws energy from a battery with at least 4 kilowatt hours and that may be recharged from an external source. You must have purchased it in or after 2010 and begun driving it in the year in which you claim the credit. 

Apply:

• Form 8936: Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit
• Instructions for Form 8936 (PDF) (HTML)

Fueling and Charging Equipment for Electric Vehicles

Residential EV Charging Incentive Pilot Program

Program Administrator:

• South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) 

Description:

• The South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) and the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) have established a residential Electric Vehicle (EV) charging incentive program to offset Level 2 (240v) EV charger hardware costs. This program will be available to residents within the South Coast AQMD’s four-county jurisdiction.
• The program will provide an incentive to buy-down the cost of residential chargers, which typically range from $400-$800. 
• Frequently Asked Questions

Amount:

• The program is administered on a first-come, first-served basis and provides up to a $250 rebate or the cost paid for the charger, whichever is lower.  Low-income residents can qualify for a total rebate of $500 or the cost paid for the charger, whichever is lower. 

Applicant Eligibility:

• Residents within the South Coast Air Quality Management District are qualified to receive rebates up to $500 towards the purchase of a Level 2 EV charger. This rebate is only towards hardware costs, and not towards the cost of permits, installation, electrical upgrades, etc. EV chargers that are included with the purchase of the vehicle are not eligible for a rebate. An upgraded Level 2 EV charger that is purchased for an additional cost does qualify for a rebate. A receipt for the purchase of a Level 2 EV charger is required.
• Low Income Eligibility:
  • Low income residents are eligible to receive a rebate of up to $500. However, if the cost of hardware islessthan $500, then the rebate will be the maximum cost of the hardware cost based on the receipt (minus tax).
  • To receive a low income rebate, one proof of low income qualification from the last 12 months is required: first page of utility bill showing that applicant receives the utility’s low income rate (CARE or FERA), or CalWORKS or TANF membership card. 

EV Charger Eligibility:

• Charger would need to be in place for a minimum of three (3) years and would be considered a permanent, not temporary, installation
• Only hard-wired installations (no 240V outlets) will qualify for a rebate; applicant would need to obtain any required city or county electrical permits for installation
• Charger will need to be a new residential Level 2 (240V) charger that is UL listed or certified by an equivalent nationally recognized laboratory.
• List of Approved EV Chargers 
  • This manufacturer’s list of Level 2 EV Chargers is not meant to be all inclusive and does not limit your selection. The information is provided as a resource.  South Coast AQMD may periodically update this list as new manufacturers enter the market with chargers that meet the requirements of the program.

Apply:

• Residential EV Charger Incentive Program Application
• If you need further information please contact Benigna Taylor in the Technology Advancement Division at btaylor@aqmd.gov

Clean Fuel Reward Program

Program Administrator:

• Southern California Edison 

Description:

• The SCE Pre-Owned EV Rebate program offers one of two options, based on your household level of income, when you purchase or lease an eligible pre-owned electric vehicle:
• Standard Option $1,000 — Eligible applicants may receive $1,000 for the purchase or lease of a pre-owned EV.
• Rebate Plus Option $4,000 — Income-qualified applicants may instead receive $4,000 based on their household level of income for the purchase or lease of a pre-owned EV.
• Frequently Asked Questions

Amount:

• Submit an application within 180 days after you purchase or lease a pre-owned EV to see if you qualify for the Standard Rebate ($1,000) or Rebate Plus ($4,000) options.

Applicant Eligibility:

• Your application must be successfully submitted within 180 days of the date of EV purchase or lease.
• You must be an active SCE residential customer; the service account does not have to be in your name to apply.
• Each owner or lessee, including co-owners and co-lessees, and their household may only receive one rebate per eligible vehicle.
• A household, defined as the same residential service address, may not submit more than three rebate applications for vehicles purchased in a single calendar year.
• An individual may not receive a SCE Pre-Owned EV Rebate if the individual or registered co-owner has already received a rebate for the same vehicle from the PG&E Pre-Owned EV Rebate, the SDG&E Pre-Owned EV Rebate, the SCE Clean Fuel Reward Program (CFRP), or the California Clean Fuel Reward (CCFR).

Vehicle Eligibility:

• See the list of all eligible vehicles
• Battery Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles
• New and Used Vehicles
• Purchased and Leased Vehicles
• Vehicle must have a current registration at your SCE residential service address.
• Rebate cannot be claimed more than three times on the same vehicle.

Apply:

• Create an SCE EV Rebate Account
• For more information, call: 1-888-851-2723 or email info@scecleanfuel.com
• Special Decals and Permitting for Electric Vehicles

Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) Decals – High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Usage

The Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) Decal Program is ENDING. Vehicles must meet the posted occupancy requirements for traveling in a carpool (HOV) lane, pay required tolls, or risk receiving a citation (Section 166 of Title 23).

Important Dates:

• August 29, 2025 – Last date to order CAV decal.
• October 1, 2025 – CAV decals will no longer be valid.

More details can be found at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/license-plates-decals-and-placards/clean-air-vehicle-decals-for-using-carpool-lanes.