Oregon has reopened its Clean Vehicle Rebate program for new and used electric vehicle (EV) purchases, aiming to avoid the demand-driven shutdowns seen in the last two years.
Since May 22, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has offered two distinct rebates. The Standard Rebate provides $2,500 to all Oregon residents, businesses, non-profits, and government agencies purchasing eligible new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), without income restrictions.
The Charge Ahead Rebate is targeted at low- and moderate-income households earning less than 400% of the federal poverty level, offering up to $7,500 for new EVs and up to $5,000 for used EV purchases, both from a specific list of eligible vehicles. For example, a single person household with income under $62,600 qualifies, while a four-person household must earn below $128,600.
Oregonās approach contrasts with other state programs such as New Yorkās Drive Clean Rebate and Coloradoās EV Tax Credit, which have no income limits and offer up to $2,000 and $5,000 respectively. Californiaās Clean Vehicle Rebate Project applies income caps but at higher levels ($135,000 for single filers).
The rebate programās previous iterations were suspended multiple times due to overwhelming demand ā in 2023, the program ran for only two months before funds ran out. This year, additional federal funding of $31 million from the CERTA grant program is expected to extend its availability. The DEQ commits to announcing any closure at least 30 days in advance and requires applications within six months of purchase.
State EV rebate programs remain critical to supporting EV adoption in the U.S., especially as potential federal policy changes loom. Recently passed by the House of Representatives, a bill known as the ābig, beautiful billā proposes eliminating the $7,500 federal tax credit for new EVs and the $4,000 credit for used EVs. Whether this bill will become law remains uncertain.