Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday an “instant rebate” program designed to help low-income drivers purchase or lease an electric vehicle. Thirteen Clark County dealerships are participating in the program through the state Department of Commerce.
“We want to get as many Washingtonians as possible, regardless of their economic circumstances, to experience the thrill of having an EV — of having a quiet, safe and comfortable ride,” Inslee said during a press conference near Seattle’s King Street Station on Thursday morning.
The rebates are available when purchasing or leasing a new or used electric vehicle. For new cars, the rebate amount is $9,000 for a three-year lease or $5,000 for a two-year lease. A $5,000 rebate is also available for new car purchases. For used cars, the rebate amount is $2,500 for either purchase or lease.
Inslee said the rebate program is the first of its kind in the United States.
On the web
For more information about Washington’s new instant rebate program to help low-income drivers buy electric vehicles, see waevinstantrebates.org online.
“Everyone will essentially be able to get one for less than $200 a month,” Inslee said. “I’m very proud of our state. … Isn’t it great that we have the very first EV rebate program in the United States right here in the state of Washington? We’re making history.”
Unlike federal EV tax credits, which are applied on the buyer’s tax return, the state rebate will be applied at the time the car is leased or purchased.
Inslee said $45 million from the state’s general fund will be used to fund the rebate program.
Commerce Director Mike Fong said his agency was given a unique opportunity to develop a program that could meet several state goals at once.
Those goals, Fong said, were “to aggressively pursue strategies that address climate change. At the same time, make sure that we are focused on equity … and addressing income inequality by allowing lower income families to purchase EVs.”
To qualify for a rebate, individuals will have to meet specific income requirements. Total household income is based at or below 300 percent of the current federal poverty level. In 2023, about 37 percent of Washington residents were at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level, according to the state.
“The No. 1 barrier is cost,” Fong said. “In practical terms, for a single individual, it is roughly $45,000 a year, and for a family of four, it is about $93,000.”
The state rebate can be combined with the federal tax incentive program, which is a maximum of $7,500, as well as manufacturer rebates and incentives.
According to Fong, 122 car dealerships are currently participating in the program, including 12 in Vancouver and one in Washougal. They represent Ford, Tesla, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Dodge and others.
The state has identified 26 car models eligible for rebates. This includes popular models like the Chevrolet Bolt, Ford F-150 Lightning, Hyundai Ioniq, Nissan Leaf, and Tesla Model 3, Model S and Model X.
Only fully battery electric vehicles with a manufacturer supply retail price of $90,000 or less are eligible. Motorcycles, scooters and low-medium/speed vehicles (golf carts, for example) are not. Plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles are also not eligible.
Inslee said he and his wife both love driving their Chevrolet Bolt.
“When you get an EV, it’s absolutely silent. You can enjoy the thrill of not having to ever buy a gallon of gasoline again,” Inslee said. “Once you feel that acceleration, you never go back.”
While the cost of electric vehicles will continue to drop as technology improves, Inslee said the state wants to help residents make the switch to electric sooner rather than later.
Inslee also said getting more drivers behind the wheel of an electric car is an important step toward reducing pollution that comes from burning fossil fuels.
“That pollution is causing climate change, which is causing our state to burn down, literally, as we speak,” Inslee said. “When you’re driving an EV, you’re doing your part to prevent forest fires by reducing climate change pollution.”
Along with the rebate program, Inslee also announced the state will install 5,000 new charging stations in both urban and rural parts of the state. Funds for the new stations will come from the Climate Commitment Act.
Inslee said driving an electric car will remain out of reach for many if they don’t have anywhere to charge it. The governor said the locations have been decided but won’t be announced until the bid process is complete.
