Incentives & Rebates
In addition to the cost savings you'll get from driving an EV, there are also tax and rebate incentives that could save you thousands of dollars on your purchase or lease:
Oregon Clean Vehicle rebate program
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is implementing a new rebate program for Oregonians who purchase qualifying electric vehicles. Rebates will be available for leasing or purchasing new EVs, as well as for lower-income Oregonians who purchase or lease new or used EVs. Check out DEQ's FAQs for more information.
Federal Tax Credit
The federal government’s Zero Emission Vehicle Incentive Program means each automaker’s eligible plug-in vehicles can receive a tax credit of up to $7,500 until 200,000 eligible vehicles per manufacturer are registered in the U.S. After this point, the credit for that particular vehicle will be reduced over time. No vehicles sold in the U.S. have reached that threshold, although Tesla and General Motors each expect to reach the limit for sales of their plug-in vehicles by the end of 2018.
Utility Rebates
Many utilities in Oregon are exploring ways they can support electric vehicle adoption, from advice on home chargers to expanding public charging networks to rebate programs. Ask your electricity provider what programs they have for EVs. Follow along with the Oregon Public Utility Commission’s work with Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp on their plans to develop charging pods in their service territory.
Central Lincoln PUD – CLPUD customers can receive a $250 rebate for installing a Level 2 electric vehicle charger. Residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the Central Lincoln service area are eligible.
City of Ashland – Ashland Electric Utility customers can receive a $300 rebate for purchasing a qualifying new or used plug-in all-electric vehicle, or $200 for a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Ashland businesses can receive a rebate up to $500 for installing a workplace charger.
Emerald PUD — Emerald PUD customers can receive a $100 reward if they register their plug-in battery or hybrid EV!
Eugene Water & Electric Board – EWEB offers a $300 Clean Ride Rebate for customers who purchase or lease a new or used electric vehicle. Customers can also receive $3,000 off the cost of a 2018 Nissan LEAF, now through January 1, 2019.
Pacific Power – customers can receive $3,000 off the cost of a 2018 Nissan LEAF, now through January 1, 2019.
Pacific Power – the utility is offering grants for electric vehicle charging infrastructure to non-residential customers in Oregon. Grants will be awarded through cycles. For Cycle 1, applications are due November 15, 2018.
Portland General Electric – customers can receive $3,000 off the cost of a 2018 Nissan LEAF, now through January 1, 2019.
Leasing a car instead of buying?
Research lease options from car manufacturers, which will offer special lease deals that factor in the federal tax credit. Coupled with the state's EV rebate and other potential rebates from your utility, you can really save by making the switch to electric.