Picture this: a family in Sacramento installing solar panels and driving an EV—their energy bills keep dropping, especially as CA’s state and utility EV Incentives, rebates stack up with federal tax credits. But with the Big Beautiful Bill putting those credits at risk, that magic could end by 2027. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is now the time?”… it absolutely is.
Let’s take you state by state—from sun-drenched California rooftops to Washington State’s income-sensitive EV rebates—showing why these seven are the elite seven for solar and EV investment in 2025.
What Could Change: Trump’s Promise to Reverse Biden’s EV Policy
As EV and solar incentives hit record highs in 2025, not everyone agrees with the direction of clean energy policy. Former President Donald Trump has made it clear he plans to reverse many of the Biden administration’s efforts if re-elected.
At a campaign rally in Michigan on April 30, 2024, Trump said:
“To keep my promise to the great state of Michigan, I terminated Joe Biden’s insane Electric Vehicle Mandate… I’ve just signed an Executive Order to give partial Tariff rebates to any company that assembles its cars right here in the USA.”
— via Derrick Evans on X (formerly Twitter)
🚨President Trump: "To keep my promise to the great state of Michigan, I terminated Joe Biden’s insane Electric Vehicle Mandate... I've just signed an Executive Order to give partial Tariff rebates to any company that assembles its cars right here in the USA." pic.twitter.com/3AEf7tat4U
— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) April 30, 2025
While this quote was delivered as part of a campaign speech, and no official executive order was signed (as Trump is not currently in office), the message is clear: a future Trump administration would likely roll back many EV-related policies, including tax credits and environmental regulations.
This could impact:
The $7,500 EV federal tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act
Manufacturing incentives for American-built electric vehicles
Funding for EV charging networks and solar adoption programs
If Trump’s policies are implemented, they could dramatically shift the landscape for buyers and manufacturers, potentially ending or reshaping the incentives many Americans are using right now.
Good News: These Incentives Are Still Active in 2025
Despite ongoing political debate, federal and state-level EV and solar incentives remain fully active in 2025. If you’re thinking about going electric or switching to solar, now is still a smart — and potentially very profitable — time to do it.
The 7 states we highlight below are offering significant savings through rebates, tax credits, and zero-interest financing — all in addition to the federal $7,500 EV tax credit and 30% solar investment tax credit.
Want to take action? We’ve included a dedicated section with verified links to official government and energy program websites so you can check your eligibility or apply directly — scroll past the state list to access them.
1. California — Where Tomorrow’s Tech Comes Alive Today
California isn’t just leading—it’s dominating. With nearly 47 GW of solar capacity powering around 28% of its electricity, it’s the gold standard for renewables en.wikipedia.org+1energysage.com+1. But beyond numbers are stories: retired teachers in San Diego have slashed bills to almost zero after combining net-energy billing, property tax exemptions, and battery rebates—something they call “energy independence.”
What’s fueling this:
Statewide net metering plus NEM 3.0 export credits, meaning extra power still earns cash,
Full property-tax exclusion on added solar value,
Battery rebates up to $1,000/kWh,
Inspections/permits slashed to days, not months.
On the EV side: add the $7,500 federal EV credit, plus $1,000–$1,500 from PG&E and others. A Palo Alto couple told me they saved so much, they funded their kid’s college fund.
Why it feels different: in Cali, solar panels are as much an emotional badge as a financial one—you’re part of something bigger.
California continues to offer some of the most generous clean energy programs in the U.S., including:
Up to $7,500 from the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP)
$1,000 to $9,500 from Clean Cars 4 All (for income-qualified buyers)
Additional local and utility solar rebates
And these programs have been delivering big for years.
In 2022, California celebrated its one-millionth EV sold, and Governor Gavin Newsom shared the story of Michael from Stockton, who stacked rebates and tax credits to save over $20,000 on a Volkswagen EV.
Meet Michael from Stockton – owner of the one-millionth EV sold in CA! He stacked rebates & tax credits for over $20k in savings to purchase his @VW.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) February 25, 2022
California’s ZEV market is leading the nation in every category, including supporting low-income EV purchasers. pic.twitter.com/ipFsJ2Jpnk
As of 2025, these same programs are still active, and California has expanded its support for low-income drivers — including increased CVRP amounts and simplified application processes.
2. New York — Ambition Meets Urban Reality
Brooklyn electrician Sam drives a Chevy Bolt with a state rebate stickered on the window. He loves it—but $2,000 isn’t breaking the bank alone. Thankfully, NY adds city utility incentives and federal credits to stack up. NY also offers solar + storage through NY-Sun. That combination helps lower-income renters gain access to community solar—something that gives real hope to diverse neighborhoods.
Yet it’s more than money: NY’s goal of all EV sales by 2035 is a promise. But, as the Times Union notes, the chargers and grid infrastructure still need work—especially outside Manhattan voltify.ai+4bankrate.com+4nenpower.com+4timesunion.com. So while you get the tax breaks, the emotional payoff is helping rapid change in old neighborhoods.
3. Colorado — Big Sky Ambitions, Bigger Returns
In Denver, Sarah shares how her 6kW solar system paid for itself in five years—thanks to Xcel rebate + net-metering + solar ITC. When she bought her EV, she stacked an extra $2,500 state rebate with the federal $7,500. She remembers thinking, “I saved more than my car cost… and I’m powering my home cleanly.”
Colorado brings:
Substantial utility rebates,
Tax exemptions on solar,
A progressive state EV rebate structure,
Welcoming, community-driven policy across political lines.
It’s a state where clean energy isn’t political—it’s personal.
4. New Jersey — Dense State, Dense Support
Let’s talk SRECs—those credits every kWh sold nets around $85, meaning thousands per year. John, a realtor in Princeton, laughs, “I finance my kids’ music lessons from solar income!”
NJ also exempts sales tax, home value boost, and drops rebates like candy: $2,000–$5,000 per EV stacked with federal. With urban density, solar feasibility is high even in towns—plus a shared pride in seeing clean energy rooftops everywhere.
5. Maryland — East Coast Value with a Green Heart
In Baltimore, a nurse combined $3K EV rebate + utility charging grant to jump into electrification. She pays almost nothing to charge on weekends. Solar buyers find sweet deals: $1,000 rebates, full sales/property tax relief, and solid SREC returns (~$57/MWh).
It’s practical, emotion-free return—but the emotion comes in hearing neighbors talk about how they cut $1,200/year off electricity after shading days.
6. Utah — Surprising Hero of Clean Energy
Utah is America’s sleeper hit. With cheap permits, $2,000 solar tax credit, and a simplified net-billing system, installing panels has gone from niche to mainstream.
EV incentives? Yep: $1,500 state credit + federal EV credit. Utahns I’ve spoken to say they save enough on energy to plan road trips (in their EVs, of course) without worrying about gas prices.
7. Washington State — Designed for Everyone
WA puts equity at its core. Low-income residents routinely get $5,000–$9,000 point-of-sale instant EV rebates, transforming what would be a big purchase into a totally attainable switch voltify.aibankrate.com+1businessinsider.com+1.
On solar: a creative feed-in tariff pays up to $5,000 per year, doubling if your panels or inverters are Washington-made nenpower.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3bankrate.com+3. That’s not a savings—it’s an earning model for clean power.
Stories abound of families earning back tens of thousands over the years—without being ultra-rich consumers or requiring complicated finance.
How to Apply for EV and Solar Incentives in the Top U.S. States (2025 Guide)
California
Apply for solar incentives through the CPUC SGIP program. For EV rebates, check your utility provider like PG&E or SCE.
Apply for SolarNew York
Solar incentives go through the NY-Sun Initiative. EV rebates are available via the Drive Clean Rebate.
Apply for SolarColorado
Get solar incentives via Xcel Energy. For EV tax credits, visit Colorado Revenue Online.
Apply for EV CreditNew Jersey
Solar programs available via NJ Clean Energy. EV incentives offered by Charge Up NJ.
Apply for EV RebateMaryland
Apply for solar at Maryland Energy Administration. EV incentives through MVA Maryland.
Apply for EV CreditUtah
Solar credits are claimed via Utah Energy. EV rebates available through Rocky Mountain Power.
Apply for EV RebateWashington
Get solar incentives from WSU Energy Program. EV rebates applied at sale; details at WA Commerce.
More on EV ProgramsPolitical Storm: Trump’s Rollback is Real
Here’s the emotional hook: clean-energy feels secure—until it doesn’t. The Big Beautiful Megabill, pushed by Trump, aims to kill it. By tying credits to project completion instead of start dates, by taxing Chinese components, and slashing incentives early—this bill threatens to dismantle the very system that makes your solar+EV dreams work power-technology.com+5wsj.com+5politico.com+5.
Industry voices aren’t just worried—they’re furious. Tesla CEO Elon Musk labeled it “utterly insane”, while clean-tech startups are navigating layoffs and delays washingtonpost.com.
Emotionally, here’s the takeaway: this moment matters. Every installation now isn’t just smart—it’s defiant.
Final Thought: Take Heart—and Action
Every one of these seven states offers real, stacking incentives that a friend, neighbor, or colleague is already tapping into. And the emotional payoff? The pride of doing right—for your pocket and your planet.
What to do:
Request your state’s incentive guide and run numbers.
Talk to installers about deadline awareness—some rebates are limited by time, not budget.
Consider leasing vs buying, but always ask if point-of-sale rebates can apply directly.
Stay political: email your representative and say, “This matters to me.” It’s one of the few moments personal action changes national policy.
At the End of the Day…
This isn’t a drill. These aren’t hypotheticals. This is now. Families are already saving thousands. The political wind is shifting fast. But you have a moment—right now—to get ahead.
If you’d like, I can help build you a state-specific savings calculator, design an interactive map for your site, or craft social snippets that will resonate with your audience. Ready when you are.
