The Scoop
With an electric vehicle, there’s a lifetime of savings on the road ahead.
- Never buy gas again! Plug in at home and wake up fully charged.
- Fully charge your vehicle for less than the cost of a gallon of gas. $4 in electricity will take you almost 151 miles.
- No oil changes ever again (and lower maintenance costs all around).
There are other reasons to consider going electric too. Like the fact that they’re super fun to drive and have zero emissions
- Electric vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions and can help you dramatically lower your carbon footprint.
- Go from 0 to 60 in seconds. When you accelerate in an electric vehicle, the power goes directly from the battery to the tires, creating some of the quickest acceleration times possible.
Let’s talk about the money
Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program
The Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program offers a cash rebate for Oregon drivers who purchase or lease electric vehicles. The program is designed to reduce vehicle emissions by encouraging more Oregonians to purchase or lease electric vehicles rather than gas vehicles.
Standard Rebate $2500 or $1500 towards the purchase or lease of a new plug-in hybrid or battery electric vehicle (rebate amount depends upon the battery capacity)
Charge Ahead Rebate $2500 for the purchase or lease of any new or used battery electric vehicle. This applies to individuals making less than $63k and a family of 4 making less than $83k which opens up EV ownership to many new drivers! For more details click here
Federal Tax Credit
Depending on the battery capacity of your electric car, you are eligible for the federal tax credit of up to $7,500. You can find out how much of the credit you are eligible here.
You must have a tax liability and pay federal income taxes in order to claim the federal tax credit of up to $7,500. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the amount of income taxes you owe on your federal income taxes. Consult your tax professional to learn how tax credits and rules may apply to you. This information does not constitute tax advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties.
Getting Started
First thing’s first–you need to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle! Locally, you’ll always be able to drive an electric vehicle at Smolich Nissan. For any other makes of cars, we recommend calling the dealership first to see what they have in stock as they don’t always have an EV in their inventory. The Bend Kia, Hyundai, and BMW dealers often have electric models in stock.
If you’re headed to Portland, you can check out Forth Mobility’s EV Showcase where you can test drive a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt, 2017 Ford C-MAX Energi, 2014 Nissan LEAF S, 2017 Chevrolet Volt, or a 2017 Honda Clarity. You can reserve a test drive online.
We work to organize Ride and Drive events throughout Central Oregon throughout the year.
Still have questions?
How far can I go on a charge? Most 2018 models have a range between 150-250 miles per charge.
How long does it take to charge? There are three ways to charge.
- Level 3 or DC CHAdeMO fast charger is a 40-minute charge to about 80%.
- Level 2 or a 220 charge (an outlet like you’d have for your dryer) is about 8 hours.
- Level 1 (standard 3 prong outlet) or 110 take about 20 hours from 0% to a full battery. Most people plug in a few times a week and don’t completely deplete their battery and are able to recharge overnight at home.
How do I know where to charge? There are lots of apps that help you find public charging stations. One of the most popular is a free app for Android or iPhone called PlugShare. You can also view a map on their website.
What happens if my battery runs out of charge? Nissan provides courtesy roadside assistance and will tow your LEAF to the nearest Nissan charging stations or your home.
How long will the battery last? The 2018 Nissan has an 8 year or 100,000-mile warranty on the battery which includes degradation.
Can I install a fast charger in my home? Level 2 or 220 charging stations are affordable and can be installed relatively easily in most cases. If you already have a 220 plug, you may be ready to just plug and play!
How does the LEAF do in the snow? The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system helps control the car in slippery conditions by using various sensors to control brake pressure and motor output. The car is no lightweight due to the large battery pack that lines the underbody of the car. Additionally, putting the car in “Eco mode” helps reduce torque to reduce slipping in the snow. “B-mode” more aggressively brakes the car for you when you take your foot off the gas so it not only regenerates the battery but also allows you to get away with a lot less time with your foot on the brake pedal.
Will I qualify for the Federal tax credit? Please consult your tax advisor. The $7,500 tax credit is based on your federal tax liability. Here are some things to help you see if you qualify:
- New cars only
- It’s a dollar for dollar credit, not just a deduction
- You can claim the tax credit to the point it reduces your tax liability to zero – but not below
- Doesn’t carry forward to subsequent years
- If you don’t have a tax liability, reach out to a dealer to see how leasing may be able to let you take advantage of this rebate.
*You must have a tax liability and pay federal income taxes in order to claim the federal tax credit of up to $7,500. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the amount of income taxes you owe on your federal income taxes. Consult your tax professional to learn how tax credits and rules may apply to you. This information does not constitute tax advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties.
**The details of the new Oregon rebate for plug-in electric vehicles are still under review. We will post application details here as we have them.