: Offers incentives of up to $9,500 for lower-income residents in specific air quality districts to scrap old cars and purchase a hybrid or ZEV. Some participants can opt for up to $7,500 in alternative mobility vouchers for transit or bicycles instead of a replacement car.
: A statewide option through the Bureau of Automotive Repair that pays income-eligible owners $1,500 or $2,000 to retire a vehicle that fails a smog check. Standard applicants may still receive $1,350 . government old car buy back
: Provides a point-of-sale rebate of up to $9,000 for a new EV or $6,000 for a used EV when you scrap an old internal combustion engine vehicle. Eligibility is based on household income. : Offers incentives of up to $9,500 for
: Residents in the San Francisco Bay Area can receive $2,000 to scrap a working vehicle from the year 2000 or older through the BAAQMD program . Key Features and Eligibility Vehicle Buy Back Program Standard applicants may still receive $1,350
Government "buy-back" or scrappage programs, often referred to as provide financial incentives to retire older, high-polluting vehicles in exchange for cash or credit toward cleaner transportation. As of early 2026, while there is no active federal program, several states like California and Colorado offer robust regional initiatives to help residents transition to electric vehicles (EVs) or public transit. Top Government Buy-Back Programs