Cash For Clunkers 2026: Government Car Buyback Programs

Current Programs For Trading In, Retiring Or Replacing An Old Car

Learn which states have a cash for clunkers program and what other incentives are available to trade in your car.

 

Is Cash for Clunkers still available in 2026? 

The original federal Cash for Clunkers program ended in 2009 and has not returned. But several state and regional government car buyback, vehicle retirement and scrap-and-replace programs still offer money to eligible drivers.

In 2026, some of the most significant Cash for Clunkers-style programs are available in California, Colorado and Utah. Massachusetts also offers a smaller rebate for trading in a qualifying older gasoline or diesel vehicle when switching to an eligible EV, although the Massachusetts program does not require the trade-in vehicle to be scrapped.

Depending on where you live and qualify, current programs range from about $1,350 simply to retire an eligible vehicle in California to as much as $12,000 toward a cleaner replacement vehicle in qualifying California programs. Colorado offers up to $9,000 through Vehicle Exchange Colorado, while Utah's new EV replacement program offers up to $10,000.

Below: see which Cash for Clunkers-style programs are available in 2026, how much they pay, whether there is a government car buyback program near you, which states formerly offered similar programs, and what incentives to check if your state does not have one.

Last updated: September 6, 2026. Program funding, eligibility and application status can change, so confirm the official program rules before buying, selling, trading in or retiring a vehicle.

 

In This Article

 
 
 

Cash For Clunkers 2026: Government Car Buyback Programs At A Glance

There is no nationwide federal Cash for Clunkers program in 2026. Today's closest equivalents are state and regional programs that either retire an older vehicle, require it to be exchanged for cleaner transportation, or reward an eligible old-car trade-in.

Program Where Potential 2026 Assistance What To Know
Federal Cash for Clunkers (CARS) Nationwide Not available The original federal program ended in 2009.
BAR Consumer Assistance Program Vehicle Retirement California $1,350, $1,500 or $2,000 Eligible vehicles are permanently retired. Payment depends primarily on income eligibility and Smog Check status.
Clean Cars 4 All / Scrap and Replace California Up to $12,000 toward an eligible replacement vehicle, plus potentially up to $2,000 for charging Income, location, old-vehicle, replacement-vehicle and preapproval requirements apply.
Vehicle Exchange Colorado (VXC) Colorado $9,000 new / $6,000 used Income-qualified participants surrender an eligible old or high-emitting vehicle, which is permanently removed from circulation.
Electric Vehicle Replacement Assistance Program (EVRAP) Utah Up to $10,000 Income-qualified participants exchange an eligible older or higher-polluting gas or diesel vehicle for an eligible battery-electric vehicle. Local application availability varies.
MOR-EV Trade-In Massachusetts Additional $1,000 Rewards the trade-in of a qualifying older gas or diesel vehicle when acquiring an eligible EV. Unlike the programs above, current MOR-EV rules do not require the trade-in to be scrapped.

How the programs differ: California, Colorado and Utah have programs that retire or recycle the older vehicle. Massachusetts instead provides a smaller old-vehicle trade-in rebate tied to an eligible EV transaction.

For California specifically, see Coltura's detailed guide to California vehicle retirement and Cash for Clunkers programs.

 

How Do I Find A Cash For Clunkers Program Near Me?

If you're searching for “cash for clunkers near me,” “government car buyback program,” “old car buyback program” or “vehicle retirement program,” remember that the program near you may have a completely different name.

  • California: Check BAR vehicle retirement, Clean Cars 4 All, regional scrap-and-replace programs and local air-district old-car buyback programs. Coltura's California car retirement and buyback guide covers the major options.
  • Colorado: Check Vehicle Exchange Colorado if you are income-qualified and have an eligible older or high-emitting vehicle. Our Vehicle Exchange Colorado guide explains the $9,000 new-EV and $6,000 used-EV rebates.
  • Utah: Check the Electric Vehicle Replacement Assistance Program (EVRAP). It can provide qualifying households with up to $10,000 toward a qualifying battery-electric replacement vehicle, but applications are administered locally and availability varies.
  • Massachusetts: Check the $1,000 MOR-EV Trade-In rebate if you are replacing a qualifying older gasoline or diesel vehicle with an eligible EV. Read Coltura's Massachusetts MOR-EV Trade-In guide.
  • Other states: Use Coltura's electric car incentives guide and the DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center to search for state, local and utility incentives.

Private junk-car buyers and “cash for cars” companies are different from government vehicle-retirement programs. If you do not qualify for a government incentive, compare private-sale, dealer trade-in and junk-car offers before deciding what to do with the vehicle.

 
 

What Was Cash For Clunkers, And When Was The Program?

The original federal Cash for Clunkers program was officially called the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). It was a short-lived federal program created in 2009 during the Great Recession to encourage people to trade older, less fuel-efficient vehicles for newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

  • Year: 2009
  • Federal voucher: $3,500 or $4,500
  • When it ended: August 24, 2009, after available funding was exhausted
  • Eligible transactions: roughly 678,000
  • Federal rebates: approximately $2.85 billion

The traded-in vehicles were required to be permanently retired rather than resold.

Research has reached different conclusions about the program's overall economic and environmental effectiveness. One University of Michigan life-cycle analysis estimated that Cash for Clunkers prevented approximately 4.4 million metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions.

Cash for Clunkers has not been revived as a nationwide federal program in 2026. When people use the term today, they are usually referring to state or local vehicle retirement, car buyback or scrap-and-replace programs.

 
 

Trading In Your Old Vehicle: Other Options

Even if your state doesn’t have a government “Cash for Clunkers” style program, you can still get value from an older vehicle:

  • Dealer trade-in: If you’re buying another vehicle, a trade-in offer can be part of the negotiation.
  • Private “cash for cars” companies: Offers vary widely — compare a few before deciding.
  • Donation: You can donate your vehicle and direct proceeds to a nonprofit (and you may be eligible for a tax deduction).

 

 
 

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California Cash For Clunkers & Car Buyback Programs In 2026

California does not have one program officially named “Cash for Clunkers.” Instead, the state has several vehicle retirement, old car buyback and scrap-and-replace programs, along with separate EV and utility incentives that can sometimes make replacing an old gasoline vehicle more affordable.

For the full picture, start with Coltura's regularly updated guide to California EV rebates and incentives. It covers MyFirstEV, Clean Cars 4 All, DCAP, used-EV utility rebates, charging incentives and local programs.

1. California BAR Vehicle Retirement: Get Paid To Retire An Old Car

The California Bureau of Automotive Repair's Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) is one of the closest matches for people searching for a statewide California car buyback program, California junk car program or a way to get paid by the state to retire an older vehicle.

Current vehicle-retirement incentives include:

  • $1,350 for an eligible applicant who does not meet the income requirement and whose vehicle failed its most recent Smog Check.
  • $1,500 for an income-qualified applicant whose vehicle completed a qualifying Smog Check within 180 days before applying.
  • $2,000 for an income-qualified applicant whose vehicle failed its most recent Smog Check.

This is a vehicle-retirement payment, not an automatic EV trade-in discount. Applicants must satisfy the program's vehicle, ownership, registration and other requirements and retire the car through the approved process.

See Coltura's detailed explanation of the California vehicle retirement program and current Cash for Clunkers alternatives, or check the official BAR program before applying.

2. Clean Cars 4 All: Scrap An Older Vehicle And Replace It

For income-qualified households, Clean Cars 4 All can provide substantially more assistance than a scrap-only program because it helps an eligible driver retire an older vehicle and replace it with cleaner transportation.

Under California's current framework, potential assistance can include:

  • Up to $9,500 toward an eligible plug-in hybrid.
  • Up to $10,000 toward an eligible battery-electric or hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle.
  • Up to $11,500 toward an eligible plug-in hybrid for qualifying participants in designated disadvantaged communities.
  • Up to $12,000 toward an eligible battery-electric or hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle for qualifying participants in designated disadvantaged communities.
  • Potentially up to $2,000 in eligible charging assistance for qualifying plug-in vehicle participants.

Income, geography, old-vehicle history, replacement-vehicle rules, program funding and application status all matter. Read Coltura's complete section on Clean Cars 4 All and California vehicle-replacement incentives before purchasing or retiring a vehicle.

Clean Cars 4 All Programs By Region

The correct program depends on where you live:

  • South Coast: Replace Your Ride serves qualifying residents in much of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. New applications are currently temporarily suspended because of high application volume. Existing applicants can still log in, but prospective applicants should not buy a replacement vehicle or retire their current vehicle in anticipation of an award.
  • Bay Area: Clean Cars for All.
  • San Diego County: Clean Cars 4 All.
  • Sacramento region: Clean Cars 4 All.
  • San Joaquin Valley: Drive Clean in the San Joaquin; general replacement-program availability is currently more limited, with qualifying pathways remaining for certain communities.

If you live in Southern California, Coltura's complete Replace Your Ride California guide explains the current application pause, income limits, old-car requirements, eligible replacement vehicles, participating dealers, charging assistance and what to do while applications are suspended.

3. Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP)

California's Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) provides another scrap-and-replace pathway for qualifying income-qualified Californians in eligible service areas, including many areas that do not have their own regional Clean Cars 4 All administrator.

Important 2026 update: DCAP's separate Financing Assistance pathway without vehicle scrappage closed to new applications on August 21, 2026. The Scrap and Replace / Clean Cars 4 All pathway remains open in eligible DCAP service areas, subject to geography and funding.

Qualifying scrap-and-replace participants may receive up to $10,000 or $12,000 toward an eligible replacement vehicle, depending on location, plus potentially up to $2,000 in charging assistance.

Read Coltura's current section on the Driving Clean Assistance Program and its application status before applying.

4. California Utility EV Rebates Can Add Another Source Of Savings

If you are replacing an older vehicle with an EV, also check the electric utility serving your home. Utility programs are separate from California's vehicle-retirement programs and can include used-EV rebates, home-charging assistance, panel upgrades, EV electricity rates and managed-charging rewards.

PG&E customers: Coltura's new PG&E EV rebates guide explains the current $1,000 standard and $4,000 income-qualified pre-owned-EV rebates, application deadlines, residential charging rebates and electrical-panel assistance. Complete standard pre-owned-EV rebate applications are currently due by September 30, 2026; beginning October 1, PG&E says only income-qualified customers will remain eligible for that program.

Southern California Edison customers: Our new SCE EV rebates and charging incentives guide covers the $1,000 standard pre-owned-EV rebate, $4,000 income-qualified Rebate Plus option, Charge Ready Home assistance of up to $4,200, EV rates and other SCE programs.

For other utilities, municipal utilities and community-choice providers, see Coltura's list of California used-EV utility and local rebates and our section on California EV charger and panel-upgrade incentives.

Do not automatically add every advertised incentive together. Eligibility, stacking rules, timing requirements and funding sources differ. Confirm every proposed combination before relying on the total.

5. MyFirstEV May Also Help First-Time EV Buyers

California's new MyFirstEV program provides eligible first-time zero-emission-vehicle shoppers with an instant incentive through participating manufacturers: $3,500 toward a qualifying new ZEV or $1,750 toward a qualifying manufacturer-certified pre-owned ZEV.

CARB says MyFirstEV may be stacked with programs including Clean Cars 4 All and DCAP, but every program, manufacturer, dealer, vehicle and transaction must independently qualify. Public guidance is not identical across every program, so get confirmation before relying on a combined award.

See Coltura's continually updated MyFirstEV rebate guide and participating-manufacturer information for current availability.

 
 

Does The California DMV Have A Junk Car Or Buyback Program?

No. The California DMV itself does not generally pay people to buy or junk their cars. People searching for a “California DMV junk car program,” “DMV buyback program,” “California car retirement program” or “government junk car program” are usually looking for a program administered by another California agency or air district.

The major possibilities include:

  • California BAR Consumer Assistance Program: qualifying vehicle owners may currently receive $1,350, $1,500 or $2,000 to retire an eligible vehicle.
  • Clean Cars 4 All / Scrap and Replace: qualifying income-qualified drivers may receive substantially greater assistance when an eligible old vehicle is replaced with cleaner transportation.
  • Replace Your Ride: the South Coast regional program can provide up to $12,000 toward an eligible replacement, but new applications are currently temporarily suspended. See Coltura's current Replace Your Ride program-status guide.
  • Local air-district old-car buyback programs: some California regions separately pay eligible owners to retire older vehicles.

So if you're asking, “Will California pay me to junk my car?” the answer can be yes—but the money normally comes through BAR, CARB or a regional air-quality program rather than directly from the DMV.

For the latest options and links, use Coltura's California vehicle retirement and Cash for Clunkers section.

 
 

Colorado's Cash For Clunkers Program In 2026

Colorado's main Cash for Clunkers-style program is Vehicle Exchange Colorado (VXC), a statewide income-qualified vehicle-replacement program.

VXC currently provides:

  • $9,000 toward an eligible new EV or qualifying plug-in hybrid.
  • $6,000 toward an eligible used EV or qualifying plug-in hybrid.

Applicants must generally meet income requirements, receive approval before the vehicle transaction and surrender an eligible operational gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle that is sufficiently old or has failed a qualifying Colorado emissions test. The old vehicle is permanently taken off the road.

For income limits, old-car rules, replacement-vehicle price limits, participating dealers, application steps and stacking rules, see Coltura's complete guide to Vehicle Exchange Colorado's $9,000 and $6,000 rebates.

Colorado's Separate 2026 EV Tax Credit

Vehicle Exchange Colorado is separate from the regular Colorado EV tax credit.

For qualifying new electric, plug-in hybrid or hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles purchased or leased in 2026, Colorado's base Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit is $750. A qualifying vehicle with an MSRP under $35,000 may receive an additional $2,500, bringing the potential state credit to $3,250.

An eligible VXC participant purchasing a qualifying new EV under $35,000 may potentially combine the $9,000 VXC rebate with the $3,250 Colorado tax credit, for as much as $12,250 in Colorado incentives when all separate requirements are satisfied.

Read Coltura's complete 2026 Colorado EV tax credit and rebate guide before purchasing or leasing.

 
 

Utah: EV Replacement Assistance Of Up To $10,000

Utah's Electric Vehicle Replacement Assistance Program (EVRAP) is one of the closest current equivalents to Cash for Clunkers. The income-qualified program helps eligible Utah residents replace an older or higher-polluting gasoline or diesel vehicle with a qualifying new or used battery-electric vehicle.

Current maximum assistance is based on household income:

  • Up to $10,000 for households at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.
  • Up to $7,000 for households from 301% through 400% of the federal poverty level.
  • Up to $4,000 for households from 401% through 500% of the federal poverty level.

The old vehicle must meet the program's gas/diesel, Utah registration, title, age or recent-emissions-failure and operating requirements. The replacement must be a qualifying battery-electric vehicle; conventional hybrids and plug-in hybrids do not qualify. The replacement vehicle can be new or used, must satisfy the program's age and price rules and must be obtained through a participating dealership.

The dealer handles recycling of the old vehicle after the approved exchange.

Application availability changes by local administrator. EVRAP is administered through participating local health departments. As of this update, Salt Lake County, Utah County, Davis County and Weber-Morgan report that new applications are paused or not currently being accepted. Check the administrator serving you before shopping or surrendering a vehicle.

Check availability before applying. EVRAP applications are handled through participating local health departments, and availability varies by area. As of this update, Salt Lake County, Utah County, Davis County and Weber-Morgan report that new applications are paused or not currently being accepted.

Check Utah EVRAP eligibility and current application information

 
 

Massachusetts: $1,000 MOR-EV Trade-In Rebate

Massachusetts has a somewhat different Cash for Clunkers-style incentive. MOR-EV Trade-In provides an additional $1,000 rebate when an eligible Massachusetts resident trades a qualifying older gasoline or diesel vehicle to a licensed Massachusetts dealership while buying or leasing a MOR-EV-eligible electric vehicle.

The old vehicle generally must:

  • Have a gasoline or diesel internal-combustion engine; hybrids and plug-in hybrids do not qualify.
  • Be at least 12 model years old at the time of trade-in.
  • Have a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less.
  • Have been registered in Massachusetts to the applicant or an immediate family member for at least two years.
  • Be up to date on required Massachusetts inspections.
  • Have a market-value trade-in allowance shown on the purchase or lease agreement.

The $1,000 Trade-In rebate is in addition to qualifying MOR-EV Standard, MOR-EV Used and/or MOR-EV+ assistance, subject to the rules of each rebate.

Important distinction: MOR-EV is an old-car trade-in incentive, not a scrappage program. The current published eligibility rules require the qualifying vehicle to be traded to a licensed Massachusetts dealer, but do not require that dealer to destroy or permanently retire it.

Read Coltura's complete MOR-EV Trade-In rebate guide for the application deadline, vehicle requirements and how the $1,000 adder can work with other Massachusetts EV rebates.

 
 

Other State EV Rebates & Incentives Worth Checking In 2026

If your state does not have a Cash for Clunkers-style vehicle-retirement program, you may still have substantial EV incentives available. These programs do not generally require you to scrap or trade in an older vehicle, but they can still reduce the cost of switching from gasoline to electricity.

Current examples include:

  • Oregon: The Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program is open for qualifying purchases and leases from August 25 through November 4, 2026. Its income-qualified Charge Ahead program can currently provide up to $7,500 toward an eligible new battery-electric vehicle, with separate used-EV assistance.
  • Illinois: Illinois' current EV rebate cycle runs from August 1 through December 31, 2026. Eligible new or used all-electric vehicles can receive $2,000, with an additional $2,000 for qualifying low-income applicants.
  • Connecticut: CHEAPR currently offers EV rebates including enhanced income- and community-qualified assistance. Current Rebate+ amounts can reach $4,000 for an eligible new BEV and $5,000 for an eligible used BEV.
  • Delaware: Delaware currently offers rebates of up to $2,500 for qualifying new or used battery-electric vehicles, with separate plug-in-hybrid rebates.
  • Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania currently offers $3,000 for qualifying battery-electric vehicles, with an additional $1,000 available to qualifying low-income applicants.
  • New York: New York's Drive Clean Rebate offers up to $2,000 toward an eligible new EV.
  • Massachusetts: In addition to the $1,000 old-car trade-in incentive described above, MOR-EV currently provides $3,500 base rebates for qualifying new or used EVs, with additional assistance available to qualifying applicants. See Coltura's complete Massachusetts MOR-EV rebate guide.

These are only examples. State incentives, utility rebates and program application windows change frequently.

Start here: use Coltura's electric car incentives guide to find the best ways to search by state, ZIP code and utility, then confirm the incentive on the official program website before buying or leasing.

 
 

Former State Cash For Clunkers-Style Programs

Vermont Replace Your Ride — Currently Closed

Vermont previously operated one of the clearest state-level Cash for Clunkers-style programs. Replace Your Ride offered income-qualified residents up to $5,000 to remove an older, lower-efficiency internal-combustion vehicle from service and switch to cleaner transportation.

Vermont law requires the retired vehicle's engine to be disabled from further use and the vehicle to be fully dismantled for parts or destruction.

However, Replace Your Ride closed effective October 8, 2024 after available funding was exhausted. Vermont's 2026 transportation-incentive reporting continues to list the program as closed. The statutory program still exists, but consumers should not treat the old $5,000 incentive as currently available unless Vermont announces new funding and reopens applications.

See Vermont's Replace Your Ride statute.

Texas AirCheckTexas Drive A Clean Machine — Closed

Texas also previously operated a significant old-vehicle replacement program. AirCheckTexas Drive a Clean Machine provided income-qualified motorists in participating counties with assistance to replace older vehicles that contributed to air pollution.

The former replacement program included $3,500 vouchers toward qualifying cleaner vehicles under its later rules, and participating retired vehicles were removed from circulation through the program's dismantling process.

The program is no longer available. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality states that AirCheckTexas vehicle repair and replacement assistance has ended, and DOE's Alternative Fuels Data Center archives the replacement voucher program as of 2019.

See the current Texas AirCheckTexas program status.

 
 

Cash For Clunkers: Are We Really Targeting The Vehicles That Pollute The Most?

Many “Cash for Clunkers” style programs focus on the potential pollution of older vehicles — but pollution depends heavily on how much a vehicle is driven. A rarely-driven “clunker” parked most of the year doesn’t emit much. A high-mileage vehicle does.

For the best value of taxpayer money and public health, scrap-and-replace policies should focus on drivers who burn the most gasoline and create the most pollution.

Learn more about Coltura’s Gasoline Superuser approach.

 

Conclusion

 
 

The original federal Cash for Clunkers program is gone, but several states still offer programs that help drivers retire or replace older, higher-polluting vehicles.

Current state-based consumer vehicle-retirement or replacement programs include California, Colorado and Utah. Massachusetts has a related $1,000 old-car trade-in rebate, although its current rules do not require the traded vehicle to be scrapped. Vermont and Texas previously operated significant vehicle-retirement or replacement programs, but those programs are currently closed.

If your state does not have a Cash for Clunkers program, you may still qualify for other EV savings. Check Coltura's guide to EV incentives for rebates, tax credits, utility programs and charging incentives that may apply without surrendering your current car.

 

Imagine never having to visit a gas station again, or needing an oil change again or worrying about unpredictable gas prices. With an electric vehicle, this could be your reality—while potentially saving thousands of dollars a year.

Thinking about replacing your old vehicle with an EV? Use the calculator below to estimate how much you could save on fuel and operating costs.

 
 

 

*Disclaimer: This tool is only intended to provide an estimate of potential savings. Actual results will vary. Learn more about the calculation and the Electric vs Gas Calculator here.

 

Cash For Clunkers FAQ

Is Cash for Clunkers still a thing in 2026?

The federal Cash for Clunkers program is not available in 2026. It ended in 2009. However, state and regional vehicle-retirement and replacement programs still exist, particularly in California and Colorado.

Is there a government car buyback program in 2026?

There is no nationwide federal government car buyback program in 2026. Some states and local agencies operate their own programs. California has BAR vehicle retirement, Clean Cars 4 All and local old-car buyback programs, while Colorado operates Vehicle Exchange Colorado.

How much does Cash for Clunkers pay in 2026?

There is no federal Cash for Clunkers payment in 2026. Current state and regional programs vary. California BAR currently offers qualifying vehicle-retirement payments of $1,350, $1,500 or $2,000, while qualifying California replacement programs may offer up to $12,000 toward an eligible cleaner vehicle. Colorado VXC currently offers $9,000 toward an eligible new EV or $6,000 toward an eligible used EV.

How much will I get to junk my car in California?

Through California BAR's Consumer Assistance Program, qualifying vehicle owners can currently receive $1,350, $1,500 or $2,000, depending on income eligibility and Smog Check status. Local air districts may have additional vehicle-retirement programs. See Coltura's California car retirement and buyback guide.

Does the California DMV buy old or junk cars?

No. The California DMV does not generally administer the programs that pay people to retire old vehicles. California BAR, CARB and regional air districts operate the major vehicle-retirement and replacement programs.

Is there Cash for Clunkers near me?

Possibly, but the program may use another name. Search for vehicle retirement, old car buyback, vehicle exchange, voluntary vehicle retirement or scrap and replace. You can also use Coltura's EV incentive search guide to find state, local and utility programs.

Is Replace Your Ride accepting applications?

New Replace Your Ride applications are currently temporarily suspended because of high application volume. Existing users can still log in, but new applicants cannot currently start or submit an application. No reopening date has been announced. See Coltura's Replace Your Ride California guide for the current status and what prospective applicants can do while intake is paused.

Can PG&E or SCE customers get additional EV rebates?

Yes, depending on program eligibility. PG&E currently offers pre-owned-EV rebates and residential charging assistance, while Southern California Edison offers pre-owned-EV rebates, Charge Ready Home assistance and other EV programs. See Coltura's PG&E EV rebates guide and SCE EV rebates guide for current amounts and rules.

What year was Cash for Clunkers?

The federal Cash for Clunkers program took place in 2009. The Car Allowance Rebate System offered $3,500 or $4,500 vouchers and ended in August 2009 after available funding was exhausted.

What was the Cash for Clunkers program?

Cash for Clunkers was the nickname for the federal Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), which encouraged consumers to trade older, less fuel-efficient vehicles for newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles in 2009.

Can I combine a vehicle replacement program with other EV incentives?

Sometimes. For example, CARB says California's MyFirstEV incentive may be combined with Clean Cars 4 All and DCAP, while some utility incentives may also be compatible. However, every incentive has its own applicant, vehicle, funding, timing and stacking rules. Confirm the exact combination before purchasing.

California shoppers can review Coltura's MyFirstEV stacking guidance and California utility and local EV rebates.

Are federal EV tax credits available for cars purchased in 2026?

No federal new- or previously-owned clean-vehicle purchase credit is available for a vehicle newly acquired in 2026. Those federal purchase credits ended for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. State, local, utility and manufacturer incentives may still be available.

Which states have Cash for Clunkers programs in 2026?

The closest current consumer Cash for Clunkers-style retirement or replacement programs are in California, Colorado and Utah. Massachusetts also offers a $1,000 MOR-EV rebate specifically for trading in a qualifying older gasoline or diesel vehicle when obtaining an eligible EV, although Massachusetts does not require the old vehicle to be scrapped.

Does Utah have Cash for Clunkers in 2026?

Utah has a modern Cash for Clunkers-style program called the Electric Vehicle Replacement Assistance Program (EVRAP). Qualifying income-eligible residents may receive up to $10,000 to replace an eligible older or higher-polluting gasoline or diesel vehicle with a qualifying battery-electric vehicle. Applications are handled by participating local health departments, and availability currently varies by area.

Does Massachusetts have Cash for Clunkers?

Massachusetts does not operate a traditional scrappage program, but its MOR-EV Trade-In program offers an additional $1,000 when a qualifying older gasoline or diesel vehicle is traded at a licensed Massachusetts dealership while acquiring an eligible EV. See Coltura's MOR-EV Trade-In guide.

Is Vermont Replace Your Ride still available?

No. Vermont's Replace Your Ride program closed effective October 8, 2024 after available funding was exhausted. The program remains established in state law, but consumers should not rely on the former incentive unless Vermont provides new funding and officially reopens applications.

Does Texas still have Drive a Clean Machine?

No. Texas's AirCheckTexas Drive a Clean Machine vehicle repair and replacement assistance has ended. The former vehicle-replacement voucher program is no longer available.

 
 
 
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