EV Charger Tax Credit 2026: What's Left in Pasadena & LA

If you put off a home EV charger this year, you may have heard the federal tax credit is gone. That's true: the 30% federal charger credit stopped for anything placed in service after June 30, 2026. The good news is that the bigger money for most Pasadena and Los Angeles homes was always local, and it's still there. Pasadena Water & Power, Southern California Edison, LADWP and Burbank Water and Power all still offer charger or panel rebates, and some of them cover installation, not just the box on the wall. We're a licensed C-10 electrical contractor in Pasadena, and this guide shows what's left for your utility and how to keep a rebate from getting denied on paperwork. Want us to check which programs fit your home? Request a free estimate or call 747-255-8595.

The Federal 30C Charger Credit Is Over for New Installs

The IRS says the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit (Section 30C) is not allowed for property placed in service after June 30, 2026. Before that date, homeowners in eligible census tracts could claim 30% of the charger and installation cost, up to $1,000 per charging port. Businesses lose the commercial version on the same date.

If your charger was installed and working by June 30, 2026, at your main home in an eligible tract, you may still claim it on your 2026 return with IRS Form 8911. Ask your tax preparer. For anything installed now, plan on local rebates only, and don't trust anyone who promises a federal charger credit for a new install.

Pasadena (PWP): Charger Rebate Plus Panel Rebate

Most of Pasadena is served by Pasadena Water & Power. PWP currently lists:

• $600 for a new Wi-Fi or internet-connected Level 2 charger, or $200 for a standard one. The rebate is based on the charger's cost, not installation, and is limited to two chargers per address.
• $1,000 toward a panel upgrade to 200 amps or more, plus $500 for customers in PWP's income-qualified bill assistance program. The upgrade must include a dedicated Level 2 EV circuit and a dedicated electric water heater circuit (240V, 30A double-pole), and you must show a newly installed Level 2 charger or electric water heater.

PWP's rules trip people up. Chargers that switch between 120V and 240V don't qualify, a plain 240V outlet doesn't qualify, and you need the City of Pasadena permit inspection sign-off. Our Pasadena EV charger rebate guide and Pasadena panel rebate guide walk through the documents.

SCE Homes: Charge Ready Home Panel and Outlet Rebates

Altadena, Arcadia, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, San Marino, Monrovia and most of the San Gabriel Valley are SCE territory. SCE's Charge Ready Home program currently lists:

• Up to $4,200 toward a panel upgrade from under 200 amps to 200 amps or more, plus a new 240-volt EV outlet.
• Up to $1,000 toward a dedicated EV outlet if your panel is already 200 amps or more.

You qualify if your household earns under 80% of area median income, you're in a listed assistance program like CalFresh or Medi-Cal, or you live in a designated disadvantaged community. You don't need to own an EV yet, but panel-upgrade participants must install a Level 2 charger within 180 days after the rebate. The outlet must be within 25 feet of off-street parking. 911 is an SCE Charge Ready Home contractor. See our SCE panel rebate eligibility guide.

LADWP: Up to $1,500 Toward Charger and Installation

In City of LA neighborhoods like Eagle Rock, Highland Park and most of the San Fernando Valley, LADWP lists up to $1,000 toward a qualifying home charger, plus $500 more for Lifeline or EZ-SAVE customers. Unlike PWP, LADWP's FAQ says eligible costs include installation, such as labor, panels, breakers, conduit, wiring and permit costs, when a licensed electrician does the work. There's also a flat $250 rebate for a dedicated EV meter, which unlocks LADWP's EV rate discount. LADWP asks you to book a service assessment before you install.

Burbank and Glendale

Burbank Water and Power lists $200 for a standard charger or $500 for a smart charger, plus $750 if you need a panel upgrade, up to $1,250 total. Homes in a disadvantaged area get $300, $600 and $900, up to $1,500. The panel rebate can't be claimed without a charger rebate, you must stay on BWP's EV time-of-use rate for 12 months, and BWP Service Planning has to confirm service before your electrician pulls permits on a panel upgrade. See our Burbank panel and EV guide.

Glendale Water & Power offers a residential charger rebate with extra money for Glendale Care customers and a panel-upgrade add-on, plus a $20 monthly incentive for off-peak charging. Confirm current amounts with GWP before you buy. Our Glendale guide covers GWP's separate service-upgrade permit.

How to Keep Your Rebate From Getting Denied

Most denials we hear about come down to paperwork, not the install. Before you buy anything:

1. Confirm your utility. A Pasadena PWP home can't use SCE money, and an Altadena SCE home can't use PWP's. Check the name on your bill.
2. Buy a qualifying charger. New, wall-mounted, NRTL-listed Level 2. Smart models earn more with PWP and BWP.
3. Pull the permit. Every program asks for a finaled permit or inspection sign-off. See when an EV charger needs a permit.
4. Get an itemized, paid invoice with the electrician's license number.
5. Apply on time. PWP charger rebates are due within 180 days of purchase, PWP panel rebates within 180 days of final permit, and BWP within six months of finaled permits.

If your panel is tight, load management can sometimes avoid an upgrade. For typical prices, see our EV charger installation cost guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still get the federal EV charger tax credit in 2026?

Only for a charger placed in service by June 30, 2026, at your main home in an eligible census tract. Anything installed after that date doesn't qualify.

What EV charger rebate can I get in Pasadena?

PWP currently lists $600 for a Wi-Fi or connected Level 2 charger and $200 for a standard one, plus a separate $1,000 panel upgrade rebate that requires EV and water heater circuits.

Does SCE pay for EV chargers?

SCE's Charge Ready Home pays toward the panel upgrade and 240-volt outlet, up to $4,200 or $1,000 for outlet only, for qualifying households. It doesn't cover the charger itself.

Do LADWP rebates cover installation?

Yes. LADWP's FAQ says eligible costs include labor, panels, breakers, wiring and permit costs when a licensed electrician installs the charger.

Do I need a permit to get a charger rebate?

Yes. PWP, SCE, LADWP and BWP all require permits and inspection records, and installation by a licensed contractor.

Get Your EV Charger Installed and Rebate-Ready

911 Construction & Electric Inc. is a licensed, bonded and insured C-10 electrical contractor (CA Lic. #1027421) at 1308 E Colorado Blvd Ste 141, Pasadena, CA 91106, serving Pasadena, Altadena, Glendale, Burbank, Arcadia, the San Gabriel Valley and greater Los Angeles. We're an SCE Charge Ready Home contractor and Tesla Energy Certified installer, and we handle the EV charger installation, panel upgrade, permit and rebate paperwork on every job. Request a free estimate, call 747-255-8595 or visit https://911electrics.com. 24/7 emergency service available.