PORTLAND, Oregon — Since its inception in 2018, the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program has issued more than 29,000 rebates and $84 million in funding for those leasing or purchasing eligible vehicles. The program has been a success in terms of getting people into electric vehicles (EVs).
Due to overwhelming demand, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) temporarily suspended the program on May 1, 2023. In short, they ran out of funding. That left more than 1,700 eligible applicants waiting to get their rebates.
The good news, funding has returned and the few hundred remaining on the waitlist from last year should expect their payments this month. The DEQ said a new round of rebates will become available on April 3. This year, the fund has just under $8 million to dole out in the form of two rebate offers.
The standard rebate applies to anyone buying or leasing a new eligible vehicle. It’s worth up to $2,500. The charge ahead rebate, which is geared towards low and moderate income households, and allots up to $5,000 towards a new or eligible used electric vehicle.
The purchase window is April 3 through June 3; a 60-day window to take advantage of up to $7,500 off an EV. Drivers must buy their car at a licensed dealership.
“We also have a list of participating dealerships those are dealerships that have received some training on the program, and are able to apply the rebate at the time of sale or lease, so they can take the rebate right off the purchase price of your vehicle,” said Eric Timm, coordinator for DEQ’s Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program.
Funding for this program comes from the Vehicle Privilege Tax, a 0.5% tax on new vehicle sales in the state. DEQ typically receives about $12 million from this tax a year.