Oregon Electric Vehicle Rebates

Did you know that Oregon Has one of the best EV incentives in the country? The Oregon Clean Energy Rebate Program offers Oregon residents a rebate of up to $2,500, when paired with the $7,500 Federal tax credit drivers can save $10,000 off a new electric car.

In addition to the standard rebate there is an extra rebate available for Low to Moderate Income drivers called the Charge Ahead Program that offers up to $2,500 off a new or used electric car!

You want to make sure you know what is available and what qualifies before you start shopping.

What Cars Qualify?

Some of these requirements are a little wonky but there is a list of eligible cars and the rebate they qualify for that can be found here.

A qualifying vehicle for the new Oregon rebate must:

• Have a base manufacturer’s suggested retail price of less than $50,000 (This includes Tesla Model 3s because the base is $35k)
• Be covered by a manufacturer’s express warranty on the vehicle drive train, including the battery pack, for at least 24 months from the date of purchase
• Be either a battery electric vehicle OR a plug-in hybrid vehicle that has at least 10 miles of EPA-rated all-electric range and warranty of at least 15 years and 150,000 miles on emission control components.
  1. $2,500 goes to vehicles with battery capacities above 10 kWh.
  2. $1,500 goes to vehicles with a battery capacity of 10 kWh or less.
• Be a new vehicle, or used only as a dealership floor model or test-drive vehicle
• The rebate will apply to new electric vehicles that are purchased or leased, with a minimum 24-month lease term.

How does the state rebate work?

• You have to apply for your rebate within 6 months of your purchase.
• You can find your application forms here.
• The rebate will be returned to you as a check not a tax credit which means you don’t have to wait till tax return season and it is available even if you don’t have a large enough tax liability in Oregon.

Income qualified additional incentive.

The Charge Ahead incentive is available for low and Moderate income households and offers a $2,500 rebate for the purchase of a new or used fully electric car. This can be used in addition to the standard rebate which would add up to $5,000 from the state! This program will help bring the benefits of electric vehicles to many more Oregonians.

• Be a low or moderate income household. (For Deschutes county this is $83,500 for a family of 4)
• Be an Oregon resident (with a valid ID)
• Purchase or lease a new or used plug in hybrid or battery electric vehicle from a dealer (no person-to-person sales or plug in hybrids)
  • Only vehicles purchased or leased after January 1, 2018 are eligible * Plug in hybrids purchased after 9/29/19 will also qualify for charge ahead*
• Register the car in Oregon, and retain registration for at least 24 months
• Provide documentation showing proof of income eligibility
• Submit your application within 6 months after the purchase or lease date

The state is working hard  on making this a sustainable process for many years to come. Charge Ahead rebates should start being issued in Q1 2020.

As with all EV questions please reach out to Neil@EnviroCenter.org for more details.