What about public transportation and biking?

Taking public transportation and biking are more environmentally friendly than driving an EV, and are great options for many people. However, if you need a vehicle, an EV will have the lowest emissions impact.

Cost Savings – Long and Short Term

Let’s be real: The upfront cost of any car is high. EVs currently cost more than traditional gas vehicles, but with rebates from the federal and state governments – the upfront cost can be comparable. The real savings with EVs come in the long term from cutting gas and fewer maintenance costs. Recharging an EV battery is significantly cheaper than buying gas, and with fewer moving parts than combustible gas engines, EVs need less maintenance (EVs don’t need oil changes, for example). More EV models are also being produced, which is also lowering the cost.

Leasing

EV leases count for the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program. There is also a potential to lease and receive the federal Credit. Consumer Reports discusses how you can lease and receive the federal EV rebate.

Range

Range of EVs varies, but many newer models can travel 300+ miles before needing a charge. The range of an EV is perfectly suited for the needs of an average driver. For those planning a road trip, you would want to look for charging stations in advance and plan the charging time into the trip like you would a stop for gas. To get back on the road quickly, look for public Level 3 chargers.

Use federal rebates before they expire — Rewiring America has dates and details!

Use Oregon’s Energy Incentives Hub to explore all available state rebates.

Federal

**As of 7/4/2025 federal rebates have been eliminated by the Trump administration. EV purchases made on or before September 30, 2025 still qualify.**

Federal rebates are available for both new and used electric vehicles through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). For both the used and new EV credits, you transfer the credit to the dealership for a point-of-sale discount, cutting the amount you pay at the dealership if you do not want to use the credits on your taxes. For both options, you will need to report the purchase on that year’s taxes.

Used EVs

The used EV credit is 30% (up to $4,000) of the vehicle’s sale price. This program is based on your adjusted gross income (AGI), which is your total taxable income for a year, minus student loans, retirement contributions, educator expenses, and other special adjustments. Your AGI needs to be at or below $150,000 for married filing jointly or a surviving spouse, $112,500 for heads of households, and $75,000 for all other filers. There are several other requirements regarding sale price, age, weight, and vehicle transfer status. You can get an idea if a vehicle make and model qualifies, and your dealer should help you confirm. The dealership will need to run the VIN to confirm that 100% of the used vehicle will qualify.

◘ More Info: Used EV Requirements

◘ More Info: List of Qualifying Used EVs

New EVs

The Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Requirements for this rebate are significantly higher at $300,000 for married couples filing jointly or a surviving spouse, $225,000 for heads of households, and $150,000 for all other filers. The credit is up to $7,500 – however, this amount is based on the vehicle. The base credit is $2,500 plus $417 for a vehicle with at least 7-kilowatt hours of battery capacity and an additional $417 for each kilowatt hour of battery capacity beyond 5 kilowatt hours. It also needs to meet the “critical minerals” requirement and the “battery components” requirement to get to the full $7,500. If it just meets one of those requirements, the most you can get is $3,750; if the vehicle does not meet either, you can only receive the base $2,500.  Unfortunately, this list is limited compared to the list for used vehicles because of requirements to be assembled in North America. Please note that this is a tax credit and can’t go over what you owe in federal taxes. You could expect a full $7,500 credit but if you only owe $3,500 in credit you would not receive the additional $4,000.

◘ More Info: List of Qualifying New EVs

State

Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program

The Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program offers standard incentives and additional “Charge Ahead” income-based incentives. These rebates are first-come, first-served. The deadline for the EV Standard rebate is September 9, 2025. The Charge Ahead rebate is open to all eligible applicants.

Eligibility: Homeowners, renters, businesses (including non-profit organizations). Check if you qualify for the additional Charge Ahead Rebate.

◘ More Info: Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program

◘ More Info: Charge Ahead Rebate

Amount: Both EVs and plug-in hybrids qualify. Depending on battery capacity, the standard rebate is $1,500-$2,5oo for a new vehicles, and $6,500-$7,500 for qualified Charge Ahead applicants. Rebates for used vehicles are $5,000 are also available to Charge Ahead applicants.

How It Works: Rebates are available at the time of sale, or after your purchase. Leased vehicles are also eligible.

1. Check if you qualify for the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program (OCVRP) Charge Ahead Rebate. This program is open to low and moderate-income households who want to purchase a new or used electric vehicle. You can get up to $7,500 off a new eligible vehicle with a battery capacity of 10 kWh or more, $6,500 off a new eligible vehicle with a battery capacity of less than 10 kWh, or $5,000 off a used eligible vehicle (all battery sizes). Both EVs and plug-in hybrids are eligible. ◘ More Info: Qualifications for Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program

2. If you do not qualify for the Charge Ahead rebate, you still qualify for the standard rebate on new vehicles from the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program. This can be used not only for a personal vehicle purchase, but also for businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies. You can get up to $2,500 off a new eligible vehicle with a battery capacity of 10 kWh or more, or $1,500 off a new eligible vehicle with a battery capacity of less than 10 kWh. Unlike the Charge Ahead Rebate, the standard rebate includes the chance to get $750 off an eligible new zero-emission motorcycle. (If you qualify for the Charge Ahead rebate, you can still get this rebate for a zero-emission motorcycle. The Charge Ahead rebates already include the Standard Rebate for vehicles). ◘ More Info: Oregon-Specific Charging Rebates

Local

Portland Residents: Metropolitan Family Services’ Portland Electric Ways to Work Program offers financial support for income qualified Portland residents to purchase an electric vehicle. They offer up to $5,000 off for a new or used electric vehicle.

◘ More Info: Portland Electric Ways to Work Program

Car Sharing

GoForth Electric CarShare allows drivers the ability to rent an electric vehicle in Ashland, Eugene, Medford, and Portland. The first four-hour ride with GoForth is free. Recurring rentals are $4-$5 per hour (plus tax). GoForth has details on EV locations and the MDO CarShare App.

◘ More Info: GoForth Electric CarShare

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