21 biggest US tax incentives for electric cars

There are hundreds of great reasons to make the switch to EV. The cars are more fuel-efficient. They are cheaper to maintain. They are insanely fun to drive (seriously, when that instant torque kicks in, it’s like you’re going warp speed).

Like this, except in a car.

Besides the fact that electric cars are fun and eco-conscious, there is another major reason to consider an EV for your next car — fat stacks of awesome rebate money!

That’s right. If you buy an EV in America today, you might eligible for $17,500 in rebates and tax incentives. (No, I didn’t misplace the comma). Wondering how to claim some of those sweet, sweet savings? Well look no further, because we’ve got here some of the biggest, baddest, most hair-raising rebates and incentives you can claim (and how you can claim them, of course.)

Federal
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Illinois
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
New York
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Texas
Vermont

Federal

Qualified Plug-In Electric Vehicle Incentive
($2,500 - $7,500)

Do you live in America? (Yes.) Are you purchasing a plug-in electric vehicle that has at least a 5 kWh battery capacity that weighs under 14,000 lbs.? (Most likely.) Then guess who is eligible for a solid chunk of change from good ol’ Uncle Sam? (Yes, you!)

Just visit the IRS website to learn more about this hefty tax credit.

California

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Plug-In Hybrid and Zero Emission Light-Duty Vehicle Rebates
(Up to $5,000)

Thanks to the good people at the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP), when you purchase or lease a qualified electric vehicle in the state of California, you’re eligible for a pretty hefty rebate. That said, people who make over a certain threshold can only claim this rebate if they purchase a 100% fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

• $150,000 for single filers
• $204,000 for head-of-household filers
• $300,000 for joint filers

Also, if you make under 300% of the poverty line, you are eligible for an additional $2,000 in rebates, bringing your total savings up to $7,000. Interested in claiming this rebate? Check out the CVRP website to learn more.

Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Rebate - San Joaquin Valley
(Up to $3,000)

Another blockbuster California rebate, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (aka SJVAPCD — say that five times fast) rolled out their Drive Clean! rebate program which gives EV drivers who purchase or lease a qualified PEV up to $3,000 in rebates. Fund are available on a first-come, first-served basis until the coffers are depleted. For more information, check out the Drive Clean! website.

Colorado

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Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Tax Credit
(Up to $5,000)

So above, where I said this tax credit maxes out at $5,000? I lied. For most EV purchasers, $5,000 is your cap. But are you on the market for a light duty EV truck? Well, then the state of Colorado has $7,000 with your name on it. Medium-duty EV truck? How does $10,000 sound? And if you are one of the few looking to purchase a heavy-duty EV behemoth, then you qualify for a massive $20,000 tax credit! Anyone else thinking about moonlighting as a Colorado long-hauler?

For more info, check out the Income 69 PDF.

Connecticut

Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Rebate
(Up to $3,000)

Buying an EV in Connecticut? Well, hold on to your hat, because your local government is ready to give you some free money just for being awesome*! Want to find out how much you can get? Easy.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV)

• Battery range < 40 miles - $500
• Battery range > 40 miles - $2,000

Dedicated plug-in electric vehicle (PEV)

• Battery range < 100 miles - $500
• Battery range 100 – 174 miles - $2,000
• Battery range > 175 miles - $3,000

Interested in learning more? Just check out the EV Connecticut website.

*awesome = people who buy EV

Delaware

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebates
(Up to $3,500)

Delaware-ians, break out your money-grabbin’ mitts, cause a mighty cash fall is a-comin’! Residents who purchase or lease a new all-electric vehicle are eligible for a whopping $3,500 rebate! And for those looking to split the difference with a plug-in hybrid, you can still claim a healthy $1,500 too. For more information, check out the Delaware Clean Vehicle Rebate Program website.

District of Columbia

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Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Infrastructure Tax Credit
(Up to $20,000)

Residents of DC rejoice! Despite the fact that you exist in a bizarre nexus between city and state governments, you can still apply for one of the most lucrative local government EV tax credits available — a full 50% off the incremental cost of your EV purchase (up to $19,000). And that’s not all! Since EV cars need to charge somewhere, DC is offering up to $1,000 off the cost of installing a residential EV charger. (That’s a lot of coin.)

Florida

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Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) Rebate – JEA
(Up to $1,000)

Florida has a lot to offer: Disney World, Miami, my grandparents — it’s got everything. And now it even has a pretty sizable incentive to get it’s 20 million drivers to switch over to electric — a $1,000 rebate for PEVs purchased or leased with a battery capacity over 15 kWh. So if you live in the sunshine state and are looking to go EV, check out the Jacksonville Electric Authority’s Electric Vehicle Incentives page.

Illinois

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Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Alternative Fuel Rebates
(Up to $4,000)

If you live in the land of Lincoln, get ready to be emancipated from big oil. With a handsome rebate of up to 80% of your new PEV or PHEV (up to $4,000), you can get yourself some Bears season tickets, and roll up to Soldier Field in style. To learn more about this program, check out the Illinois Alternate Fuels Rebate page.

Louisiana

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Fueling Infrastructure Tax Credit
(Up to $2,500) 

If you live in Louisiana and are looking to save some money on an EV, then you are in luck. With a tax credit for 10% of the cost of your new car (up to $2,500), you can cruise through the Big Easy in your new EV and still have money left over for a lifetime supply of beignets.

Maryland

Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Tax Credit
(Up to $3,000)

Maryland residents looking to make the switch to EV, look no further — with a tax credit of $100 per kWh of battery capacity (up to $3,000), you can save money while saving the environment. For the terms and conditions of this tax credit, visit the Excise Tax Credit for Plug-In Electric Vehicles website.

All-Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate – Constellation
(Up to $10,000)

Not enough for you, Maryland? How about an additional $10,000 rebate for the purchase of a 2017 Nissan Leaf? What about a $7,500 rebate for a 2017 BMW i3? This hefty rebate from Constellation Energy’s EZ-EV program should be enough to spice up the deal. (And by “spice,” of course mean Old Bay).

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Rebates
(Up to $2,500)

In Massachusetts, residents can get a rebate of up to $2,500 off the purchase or lease of a qualified PEV or zero-emission motorcycle. So, if you live in the commonwealth and are looking for some new wheels, check the MOR-EV website and learn how much you can save on a wicked smart EV cah. (Sorry, had to do it).

Michigan

Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Charging Rate and Infrastructure Rebate - Indiana Michigan Power
(Up to $2,500)

Michigan residents looking for a cool new way to get around just got just lucked out — with a $2,500 rebate for customers who purchase or lease a new PEV and install a level 2 home charger, you can get everything you need to kick gas. To learn more about this rebate, check the Indiana/Michigan Power rates, programs & incentives page.

New York

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Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Rebate Program
(Up to $2,000)

New Yorkers hoping to save a couple bucks on a new electric car can now get up to $2,000 back on the purchase or lease of qualified EVs. You think a New Yorker is just going to leave that money on the table? Fuggedaboutit! To learn more about this rebate, visit the Drive Clean Rebate website.

Pennsylvania

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Funding
(Up to $1,750) 

From Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, all Pennsylvanians are eligible for a substantial rebate on their new EVs and PHEVs ($1,000 for hybrid and $1,750 for all-electric). Yinz Keystoners better get on that rebate before the whole jawn is gone. To learn more, visit the AFIG program site.

Rhode Island

Pachaug Trail - "Welcome to Rhode Island sign" at Beach Pond, Hope Valley, RI

Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Rebates
(Up to $2,500)

Rhode Islanders in hopes of saving some greenbacks on their new car, the DRIVE rebate program might be just for you. With rebates of up to $2,500 for the purchase or lease of a qualified PEV, this may be just the thing you’ve been hoping for. Talk about Providence! For more info, visit the DRIVE website.

Texas

Clean Vehicle Replacement Vouchers
(Up to $3,500)

Everything is bigger in Texas — including the savings. If you’re on the market for an EV, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is offering a voucher for up to $3,500 to help you replace your old clunker with a sleek new electric car. To learn more, check out the AirCheckTexas Drive Clean Machine website.

EVSE Incentive — Austin Energy
(Up to $1,500)

Austin is an up-and-coming city in a lot of ways — art, food, music, culture, and now a plan to stimulate EV driving. Austin Energy’s Plug-In Rebate offers residents up to $1,500 to install a qualified level 2 charging station. Not too shabby.

Light-Duty Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebates
(Up to $2,500)

Last, but not least, Texas is offering an additional $2,500 to the first 2,000 applicants who purchase a qualified electric vehicle. Want to learn more about this handsome offering? Just visit the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) website.

Vermont

All-Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate - Burlington Electric Department (BED)
(Up to $1,200) 

To all the Green Mountain Staters looking to reduce their carbon footprint — this $1,200 rebate from Burlington Electric Department is a great incentive for making the switch to electric. Now you can drive cleaner and save enough for a year’s supply of Ben & Jerry’s (and throw in a Phish bumper sticker to show ‘em where you’re from). To learn more, check out the BED EV Rebate here.