The Gov. Charlie Baker, R-Mass., administration has announced an additional $2 million will be allocated to the Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) program. The rebate program, administered by the state's Department of Energy Resources (DOER), offers rebates of up to $2,500 to Massachusetts residents who buy or lease EVs.
To date, the program has provided rebates for over 700 zero- and low-emission vehicles. Eligible vehicles include battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles, and zero-emission motorcycles.
Zero- and low-emission vehicles will save drivers money on fuel and maintenance costs, according to the DOER's Fuel Economy side-by-side comparison. For example, the department says a driver purchasing a compact BEV car can save $3,750 on fuel over five years, compared to the same vehicle with a gasoline engine.
The department adds that MOR-EV has also increased business for dealers that sell electric vehicles, with the Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus EV and the Chevy Volt being the most popular vehicles purchased or leased through the program.
“Massachusetts and our partners in the region are committed to developing a more robust electric vehicle network in New England,” says DOER Acting Commissioner Dan Burgess. “MOR-EV has expedited these efforts, lowering operating costs and benefiting our families' health and the environment at the same time.”
The MOR-EV program was initially funded with $2 million in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auction proceeds, which also finance the new funding.
Any Massachusetts resident is eligible for the rebate. More information about the program is available at MOR-EV.org.
