How the Oregon Rebate for Electric Cars Works

In the next year, new rebates for electric cars will be available thanks to hard-fought work by OEC (and our partners) this last legislative session.

While you’re planning your next EV purchase, we thought we’d share a little more about how it will work, who it will impact and why it’s important (hint: clean air + better cost/mileage = ? ).

VIDEO:
Oregonians eligible for rebate when they buy an eco-friendly car in 2018 (KPTV) 

Policy analyst Josh Goldman with the Union for Concerned Scientists explains the basics.

How the Oregon Rebate for Electric Cars Works

Goldman walks through which electric vehicles qualify for the rebate, how the electric vehicle rebate will be given and how the new policy includes additional rebates for low-income Oregonians, known as “charge ahead.”

And check out this cool tool:

Compare the costs of driving with electricity – e-Gallon

Fueling an electric vehicle in Oregon is like paying the equivalent of $0.97 for a gallon of gasoline. In addition, battery electric vehicles have fewer moving parts and don’t require oil changes, so electric vehicle maintenance costs have been estimated to be 35 percent lower than comparable gasoline vehicles.  The eGallon price is calculated using the most recently available state by state residential electricity prices. The state gasoline price above is either the statewide average retail price or a multi-state regional average price reported by EIA. The latest gasoline pricing data is available on EIA’s webpage. Find out more at www.energy.gov/eGallon.

Related Posts
Filter by
Post Page
Policy Featured Air Quality Climate Protection Our Impact OEC News/Updates/Events Transportation Solutions Toxics-Free Environments Environmental Health Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Rural Partnerships Eco-Healthy Homes
Sort by
Image of the Oregon Capitol with the words "Action Alert - one click" and a mouse cursor clicking near the words "Action Alert" and a graphic of a train, a bike and a dotted line indicating a trail with a dollar icon.

Tell Lawmakers to Fund a Transportation Package For ALL Oregonians

Oregon is about to make some big transportation decisions that will affect us for decades. Unfortunately, lawmakers are starting from a framework that falls dramatically short on what we need. We need fair funding, accountability, and more robust investments in safety, transit, and pollution reduction. Tell your legislators that the stakes are too high to settle for less.
May 16, 2025, 3:05 pm
mcadmin

9

Image of a semi truck entering Oregon on the highway with the words "Breaking News. Clean Truck Rules Delayed. Read Our Joint Statement on the Impact to Oregon."

BREAKING: Polluters Push Oregon Backward on Clean Air, Public Health, and Climate Action

Today, Oregon’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule was delayed by two years. Predictably, oil and gas interests orchestrated a multi-state campaign to derail similar policies in other states. Their successful attacks now include Oregon’s ACT rules.
May 15, 2025, 10:42 am
mcadmin

9

The words Action Alert: One Click with an image of the Oregon state capitol and dollar bills with the earth as the center of the bill.

ACT! Fund a STRONG Climate Justice Budget for Oregon

Lawmakers are finalizing the state budget for the next two years. Now is the time to speak up for a strong Climate Justice Budget that protects the environment, uplifts communities, lowers energy bills, and creates clean energy jobs across the state. Use the form below to email your state legislators and urge them to invest in proven programs that deliver for Oregonians.
May 14, 2025, 2:34 pm
mcadmin

9

Bikes, Trains, Buses, and Walkable Streets: The Future Oregonians Want

Today, 100+ Oregonians are rallying in Salem to deliver a message shared by more than a thousand during a legislative listening tour last summer – public and active transportation is equally important no matter where you live in Oregon.
April 17, 2025, 5:30 am
mcadmin

9

"It

Forever Chemicals in Oregon? Not If We Stop Them.

PFAS are called “forever chemicals” for a reason: once they’re in the environment, they stick around – causing harm for generations. This group of synthetic chemicals are added to products to deflect heat, grease, and water. But, instead of helping, these toxic chemicals are cau
March 13, 2025, 4:45 pm
crystal2530

9

Move Oregon Forward: A Coalition and Vision for Our Transportation Future

There’s a big problem happening in our transportation system today, and it’s been decades in the making. The Oregon Department of Transportation is facing a $1.8 billion deficit. If this is not met, ODOT staff have sai
January 21, 2025, 6:20 pm
kristopherf

9

Image of Smith Rock Sate Park in Oregon that transitions from black and white on the left to full color on the right.

Building on the Past: A Journey Into the Heart of Oregon’s Activism

by Meagan Golec, Major Gifts Officer When I was hired at OEC three years ago, I had a lot of nonprofit experience but had never worked in the environmental sphere. I came equipped with a deep love and appreciation for wild spaces, and a strong belief that we need a healthy environment to thrive. I knew that Oregon was considered an
November 27, 2024, 3:28 pm
mcadmin

9

Modern, graphic illustration showing snow capped mountains in blue tones on the left that transitions to a coastal beach scene with a haystack rock in orange and green hues to the right. Large text says "Big Oregon Climate Win!"

Oregon’s Climate Protection Program is Restored!

Oregon just scored a major environmental victory! In a unanimous vote, the Environmental Quality Commission (ECQ) adopted the newly revised Climate Protection Program, reinstating the landmark policy at a time when climate action is critical. This marks the most significant climate action taken in the wake of the federal election.  Now, Oregon’s most influential climate policy is back on the bo
November 21, 2024, 2:13 pm
mcadmin

9

Attendees at the 2024 Clean Grid Summit participate in breakout table top conversations abut the future of clean energy infrastructure in Oregon. The words "1st Annual Oregon Clean Grid Summit" across the top of the photo

Oregon Clean Grid Summit: Q&A With Attendees

Last month, OEC, Renewable Northwest, and our partners in the Oregon Clean Grid Collaborative (OCGC) joined in person with a diverse group of clean energy stakeholders from across Oregon for the first annual
September 30, 2024, 3:19 pm
mcadmin

9


2 Replies to "How the Oregon Rebate for Electric Cars Works"

  • D. Wagner
    September 21, 2017 (4:21 pm)

    None of this provides a date that the rebate goes into effect for new EV purchases. Is this still not known?

    • Amy Lewin
      September 21, 2017 (4:40 pm)

      We know that the rebate will go into effect sometime in mid-2018. But the specific date is still not official as details are being finalized. Rest assured, once the team at OEC knows, we’ll share this important info with our community!