Facts last checked . Prices and incentives change often; confirm with Tesla and the program before you order.
California is still Tesla’s biggest US market, and the Model 3 and Model Y sold here are built in Fremont. But the incentives that made a California Tesla cheap a few years ago are mostly gone: the state CVRP rebate closed to new applications in November 2023, the federal $7,500 credit ended in September 2025, and the Clean Air Vehicle decal that let EVs use carpool lanes alone expired the same month.
What is left is the running cost. California has some of the most expensive electricity in the country, so the plan you charge on matters more here than anywhere else: a typical residential rate around 30¢/kWh makes a Model 3 about as cheap to fuel per mile as a 70 mpg car, and the utilities’ overnight EV plans cut that substantially.
| Model | Base price | Destination + order fee | Tax (7.25%) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3 Standard RWD | $36,990 | $1,640 | $2,801 | $41,431 |
| Model 3 Premium RWD | $42,490 | $1,640 | $3,199 | $47,329 |
| Model Y Standard RWD | $39,990 | $1,640 | $3,018 | $44,648 |
| Model Y Premium RWD | $45,990 | $1,640 | $3,453 | $51,083 |
7.25% is the statewide base. Local district taxes take most of the state to between 7.75% and 10.75%, charged on where you register the car. Base prices are Tesla’s US prices as reported on 2026-10-26 (tesla.com could not be checked directly). Tax is applied to price plus fees, which is a simplification: title, registration and local fees are extra. Every trim and state is in Tesla price by state.
Ended for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. Any page still promising $7,500 off a new Tesla is out of date.
For 2025 to 2028, buyers who finance a new US-assembled vehicle for personal use can deduct up to $10,000 a year of loan interest, phasing out at higher incomes. Model 3 and Model Y sold in the US are assembled in California or Texas. Confirm your eligibility with a tax professional.
Closed to new applications on November 8, 2023. It does not apply to a Tesla bought today.
Solo carpool-lane access for EVs ended on September 30, 2025 when the federal authorization lapsed. Check the DMV in case it is renewed.
Income-qualified grants for scrapping an older car and replacing it with a cleaner one, run regionally (South Coast, Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento, San Diego). Amounts and eligible vehicles vary by air district.
More on what replaced the federal credit: Tesla tax credit ended.
Average residential rate, 29.8¢/kWh (EIA, August 2026). Overnight EV plans are lower; tiered rates at high usage are higher. Gas: AAA state average for regular, 2026-10-26. Assumes 12,000 miles a year, 0.28 kWh per mile for a Model 3 including charging losses, and a 30 mpg gas car at about $6.02/gal. Prices last checked October 26, 2026; we refresh them monthly. Run your own numbers in the savings calculator.
Tesla delivers across the state, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Sacramento and Fresno.
The Model 3 Standard RWD starts at $36,990. Add Tesla's $1,640 destination and order fee and the 7.25% state rate used on this page and it comes to about $41,431 before title and registration. 7.25% is the statewide base. Local district taxes take most of the state to between 7.75% and 10.75%, charged on where you register the car.
No. The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project closed to new applications in November 2023. The main state help left is Clean Cars 4 All, which is income-qualified, regional and requires retiring an older car.
Not with a new decal. The Clean Air Vehicle decal program ended on September 30, 2025 when federal authorization expired. Check the DMV for any renewal.
Move to your utility’s EV time-of-use plan (PG&E EV2-A, SCE TOU-D-PRIME or SDG&E EV-TOU-5) and schedule charging overnight. On a standard tiered rate you can pay roughly double.
At 30¢/kWh, a Model 3 costs about $8 per 100 miles to charge at home, or roughly $1,001 a year, versus about $2,408 for a comparable gas car.
More answers in the Tesla FAQ.