CPUC Approves Incentives to Accelerate Rideshare Driver Adoption of Electric Vehicles
SAN FRANCISCO – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today approved new incentives to reduce transportation emissions and accelerate rideshare driver adoption of electric vehicles. The incentives will help low- and moderate- income drivers that perform a high volume of rides for rideshare companies, like HopSkipDrive, Lyft, and Uber to purchase or lease zero-emission vehicles.
As part of the Clean Miles Standard program, the CPUC today approved the initial implementation plan for the Drivers Assistance Program, also known as Rideshare Incentives for Driving Electric (RIDE). The program will provide eligible drivers with financial assistance that includes:
- Up to $20,300 toward the purchase or lease of a new zero-emission vehicle (ZEV).
- Up to $14,200 toward the purchase or lease of a used ZEV.
- Up to $1,170 annually to help offset charging costs for eligible drivers.
“California’s transition to cleaner transportation depends on making electric vehicles more accessible for the people who spend the most time on our roads,” said CPUC President John Reynolds. “These incentives will help reduce the cost of switching to zero-emission vehicles for rideshare drivers that perform the highest volume of rides, thereby reducing pollution and helping California meet its climate goals.”
The program will be administered by the Center for Sustainable Energy, which will oversee driver applications, incentive payments, outreach, education, and ongoing program support. Eligible drivers will be able to apply through an online portal and receive assistance throughout the application process.
The program also includes multilingual educational materials, one-on-one customer support, online tools to help drivers compare vehicle costs and available incentives, and partnerships with community organizations to help reach eligible drivers and provide ZEV resources for all rideshare drivers across California.
Program Background
The Clean Miles Standard program was established to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), including rideshare services, by increasing the number of zero-emission vehicles operating on their platforms.
As part of that effort, the CPUC created the Drivers Assistance Program to help low- and moderate-income drivers overcome the financial barriers to purchasing or leasing electric vehicles. The program is funded through a Clean Miles Standard regulatory fee collected by TNCs and is designed to make the transition to cleaner transportation more affordable while helping California meet its climate goals.
“In the coming months, the Drivers Assistance Program will begin helping low- and medium- income drivers for rideshare companies purchase electric vehicles,” said Commissioner Christine Harada. “This is an exciting opportunity for drivers to participate in California’s clean energy transition.”
The CPUC’s action today approves the program’s first implementation plan, establishes the initial incentive amounts, and authorizes the Center for Sustainable Energy to begin administering the program, which is anticipated to launch the third quarter of 2026.
More Information
- Proposal Approved
- Clean Miles Standard Webpage
- Clean Miles Standard Featured Story
- Transportation Network Companies
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About the California Public Utilities Commission
The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov for more information.