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

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Oregon Clean Vehicle and Charge Ahead Rebate programs can save Oregonians up to $5,000 on the purchase or lease of a qualifying electric vehicle. All Oregonians can receive up to $2,500 for the purchase or lease of a qualifying new EV. Low- and moderate-income Oregonians can save an additional $2,500 on qualifying new or used EVs. Learn more and download an application on DEQ’s website.

If you are purchasing or leasing your car from a dealer, you may be able to receive your rebate at the time of purchase. DEQ has developed an interactive map to locate dealerships with this arrangement in place.
 

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 (based on vehicle battery size) 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 and phased out over time.

As of April 2019, Tesla, Cadillac, and Chevrolet have reached 200,000 sales, so models now have a reduced tax credit value.

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 businesses can receive a $500 rebate for installing a workplace charger.

• City of Ashland — The Electric Vehicles Ashland program provides rebates for businesses or nonprofits that purchase or lease electric vehicles.

• 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 $500 Smart Charge Rebate for residential electric customers who purchase a qualifying level 2 charger.

• Eugene Water & Electric Board — customers can get $3,500 off a 2019 Nissan LEAF or $2,500 off the LEAF Plus through September 30.

• Idaho Power — eligible business customers may apply for funding to install Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (charging stations) for electric passenger vehicles, forklifts or other transportation technology.

• Pacific Power – the utility is offering grants for electric vehicle charging infrastructure to non-residential customers in Oregon. Grants will be awarded through cycles.

• Pacific Power – customers can get $3,500 off a 2019 Nissan LEAF or $2,500 off the LEAF Plus through September 30.

• Portland General Electric — community organizations, nonprofits, and businesses can apply for grants to advance electric vehicle adoption in PGE territories.

• Portland General Electric — customers can get $3,500 off a 2019 Nissan LEAF or $2,500 off the LEAF Plus through September 30.

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.