GM is adding an extra surcharge to EVs, but only in certain states and territories. For 2026-model-year EVs, there will be a $500 “California Emissions Regulations” charge for states and territories adopting the California’s Advanced Clean Cars II set of requirements.
This applies to 11 states plus the District of Columbia. The CARB (California Air Resources Board) states require automakers to sell a certain number of EVs in 2026, and they still have the requirement in place for all new cars to be electric by 2035. They also require longer warranty coverage on certain EV components, which is what you’re paying for with this $500 charge.
“EVs registered in California and states adopting CARB (California Air Resources Board) regulations require specific emissions certification, which includes enhanced warranty coverage for certain propulsion-related parts, resulting in a $500 charge that will be applied to select 2026 model year EVs,” a Cadillac spokesperson said in a statement to GM Authority. “In certain situations, based on market dynamics, Cadillac may provide a $500 credit. If provided, such credit will be reflected on the Monroney.”
California, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and the District of Columbia are the states and territories that have adopted the Advanced Clean Cars II standard. This list used to include Vermont, but it recently paused EV sales requirements.
The 2026 Cadillac EV warranty booklet specifies what EV components are covered for 7 years/70,000 miles instead of 3 years/50,000 miles, and it’s the bulk of the powertrain components. The list includes the battery energy control module, front and rear drive units, battery charger, power inverter, cooling system, and more.
So far, we’ve only seen this charge on Cadillac EVs since Cadillac is the only GM brand with 2026-model-year EVs currently on the market. As for the $500 credit, we’ve noticed it on the 2026 Vistiq Luxury and Sport trim levels but no credit on the Vistiq Premium Luxury. There are no Platinum units in dealer stock yet.
As 2026 Chevy and GMC EVs start to hit the market, we can expect to see more of these upcharges in CARB states that have adopted the Advanced Clean Cars II standards. Cadillac EV buyers might not feel much pain from an extra $500 charge, but it will make more affordable GM EVs like the Chevy Equinox EV a little harder to afford on the lower end of the pricing spectrum.
Comments
More losing with mediocrity.
I would speculate the credit on the Luxury and Sport models is an effort to keep them eligible for the EV Tax Credit as they are right on the limit of $80k before destination charge.
GM China is providing 10 year bumper to bumper warranty for free. Who wins?
China is undergoing a deflationary spiral right now. I don’t think the economic picture is very rosy over there and if it seems like it is, the leaders are going above and beyond to save face. But you can’t hide deflation from the world which is a very telling sign of the health of ones economy.
To give you an idea despite the word “deflation” (opposite of inflation) sounding great in theory, of why its a telling sign of an economy in a dire situation, the last time we had deflation in the US was slightly during the COVID lockdowns initially at the start and before that the Great Depression.
Pretty soon the BS California waiver will be eliminated so this virtue signaling BS will stop.
Two questions not answered:
If I move to another state, do I still get the extended warranty?
Does the warranty transfer to the next owner?
California stand alone emission requirements are going away.
So they need to sell more EVs in CARB states so they are increasing the prices? Does GM not understand basic economics?
They should add that compliance fee to their ICE lineup.
More likely is that this is covering cost increases due to the Trump tariffs, but GM is too scared of the fascist regime coming down on them for being honest about it. Like how the felon is xitting all over Walmart for raising prices.
If you are going to give us a lecture, we would love to know which degree you hold in Economics.
rEVolutionary–obviously you flunked elementary school and basic math–along with political science. Tariffs have nothing to do with it. California CARB idiots run by YOUR demcrat Newsom and his clowns are the reason. GM is asking their workers to fight the ICE ban in CA, so your left sided brain must be exploding about now.
All blue states/districts. It’s called a scam to take your money. The White House should stop this BS.
oh yea..charge us all for Newsom and his “carb” idiots lame brain mandates. The only way to fix Newsom and his clowns is for the gas industry and auto industry to stop selling their product in CA for 1 month. The loss of tax money would wake them up and to end this crap I know people would buy into it as well. Newsom wants the WH, so destroy him now or we’re all in trouble with our cars.