Summary
- 3,300 Washington residents have utilized state-funded rebates for electric vehicles in the past two months
- The program is expected to run out of funding by October if the current pace continues
- Eligible individuals can receive up to $9,000 for an electric vehicle lease or $5,000 for a new electric vehicle purchase
- The average rebate amount is $7,292, with a total of about 6,000 rebates expected to be issued
- Income requirements must be met to be eligible for the program, with funding remaining at about $17.5 million as of the latest update
Article
In Washington State, around 3,300 residents have taken advantage of state-funded rebates for electric vehicles since the program launched on August 1. The rebates, which are available for both leasing and purchasing electric vehicles, are expected to run out by October if the current pace of uptake continues. As of September 27, there is still around $17.5 million remaining for rebates, which can be checked on the Department of Commerce website. The program has already issued 3,351 rebates, with the average amount being $7,292. The department anticipates issuing a total of around 6,000 rebates.
Eligible individuals can receive up to a $9,000 rebate for leasing an electric vehicle or $5,000 for purchasing a new qualifying electric vehicle. These rebates are applied as a discount by 308 participating auto dealers. Additionally, $2,500 rebates are available for used electric vehicles. To qualify for the program, individuals must meet certain income requirements, with the maximum household income varying based on family size. Those enrolled in certain public assistance programs are automatically eligible. The state rebates are separate from and in addition to federal incentives available for certain electric vehicle models.
Initially, the program was estimated to last until spring, but the unexpectedly high popularity has led to a faster depletion of funds. The $9,000 rebate for leases of three years or more has been particularly popular among participants. Director Mike Fong of the Department of Commerce urged interested individuals to take advantage of the program within the next month before the funds run out. The Washington State Standard, a part of States Newsroom, maintains editorial independence and can be contacted for questions via email. The nonprofit news network is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
Overall, the Washington State electric vehicle rebate program has seen significant uptake since its launch, with thousands of residents taking advantage of the rebates for leasing and purchasing electric vehicles. The program has issued over 3,000 rebates with an average amount of $7,292, and there is still around $17.5 million remaining for rebates as of September. Eligible individuals can receive up to $9,000 for leasing an electric vehicle and $5,000 for purchasing a new qualifying electric vehicle, with additional rebates available for used electric vehicles. Income requirements must be met to qualify for the program, with certain public assistance program enrollees automatically eligible.
The unexpectedly high popularity of the program has led to a faster depletion of funds than initially anticipated. The $9,000 rebate for leases of three years or more has been particularly popular among participants, prompting the Department of Commerce to urge interested individuals to take advantage of the program within the next month before the funds run out. The state rebates are separate from federal incentives and are available for a limited time, emphasizing the importance of acting quickly for those interested in purchasing or leasing an electric vehicle. The Washington State Standard, a nonprofit news network, is available for questions about the program and maintains editorial independence.
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