BOSTON – The Baker administration announced that over 1000 Massachusetts residents have taken advantage of electric vehicle rebates through the Department of Energy Resources’ (DOER) Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) program. More than $1.3 million remains of the $2 million added to the program in April. MOR-EV offers rebates of up to $2,500 to Massachusetts residents who buy or lease clean electric vehicles.
“The MOR-EV program has made it easier for 1,023 Massachusetts drivers to choose electric or hybrid cars, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the air we breathe,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are committed to meeting Massachusetts’ Global Warming Solutions Act goals and participating in this rebate program is one way residents can play a role.”
“The success of the MOR-EV program is one more example of our actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and petroleum use,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton. “These rebates help drivers choose economical and environmentally-friendly vehicles while helping the Commonwealth meet our ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets.”
Eligible vehicles include battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles, and zero-emission motorcycles. The MOR-EV program has been funded by two rounds of $2 million in proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auctions. Rebates are available on a first-come first-served basis until all the funds have been committed. All applications must be submitted within three months of purchase or lease.
“The 1000th electric vehicle rebate is an important milestone in the Baker-Polito administration’s efforts to make the transportation sector cleaner,” said DOER Commissioner Judson. “There is still time to take advantage of these electric vehicle rebates and choose cleaner, economical cars for commuting and pleasure driving.”
The Commonwealth is investing more than $20 million in electric and alternative fueled vehicles and infrastructure in the Commonwealth.
1000 new electric vehicles will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2800 short tons annually. The rebate program is one of the EEA initiatives to encourage increased deployment of advanced technology vehicles in Massachusetts, improve air quality, reduce reliance on foreign oil and help Massachusetts meet the goals of the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA). The Clean Energy and Climate Plan goal, created under the GWSA, aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. The plan established a target for the transportation sector to reduce GHG emissions 7.6 percent by 2020.
Zero and low-emission vehicles also save drivers money on fuel and maintenance costs, according to the DOER’s Fuel Economy side-by-side comparison. For example, a driver purchasing a compact battery electric vehicle can save $3,750 dollars on fuel over five years, compared to the same vehicle with a gasoline engine.
