The State of EV Incentives in the Pacific Northwest
Potential electric-vehicle buyers in the Pacific Northwest might soon have more initiative to purchase an EV. Besides the federal income tax credit worth up to $7,500 for certain EV models, vehicle owners in Oregon can apply for a state rebate worth up to $2,500. Those in Washington are waiting to see whether or not the state legislature renews an EV tax break that expired last May.
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Oregon’s EV incentive
Drivers in Oregon who own or lease a new, non-luxury EV are eligible to apply for the state rebate. Per Oregon.gov, there’s currently a long list of 2018 applicants who are still waiting on their rebates. Though, that’s probably due to the influx of applications. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has received 3,161 applications since January 2018 — when the rebate program started — until now.
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Washington’s potential revival of the EV incentive
As mentioned before, Washington’s EV tax break expired in May of 2018. Interestingly enough, EV sales in the state have continued to increase in this interim period, the Washington State Department of Licensing confirms.
Senate Transportation Committee chair Steve Hobbs is one of the advocates backing the renewed EV rebate. “It shouldn’t just be for people who are well off,” he said. “We’re hoping with an electric vehicle incentive perhaps those in lower incomes and middle incomes will be able to afford an electric vehicle.” Individuals like Michael Mann, a lobbyist for the trade association Forth, believes a tax break renewal would help increase EV sales, which in turn, would help the state meet its environmental ambitions.
Stay posted for more news in the days ahead as Oregon residents take advantage of their state’s EV incentive — and as Washington residents hope for an extension of their own state’s incentive.
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News Sources: NW News Network, Oregon.gov
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