EV Buying Guide

Electric Vehicle Rebates & Incentives

GET UP TO $6,000 BACK IN MA

The Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) Program provides the following stackable rebates:

    • $3,500 for new or used passenger EVs
    • $7,500 for EV trucks
    • $1,500 for eligible low-income residents
    • $1,000 for gasoline passenger vehicle trade-ins (not eligible for truck purchases)
  • This program helps residents save money on the purchase or lease of a qualifying plug-in Electric Vehicle (EV).
  • At participating dealers, you can apply for the MOR-EV rebate as a “point-of-sale reduction” when you buy the vehicle. For a used EV purchase, you have the option to apply for and receive a prequalification voucher. Visit the MOR-EV website to learn more.
      GET UP TO $7,500 BACK ON FEDERAL TAXES

      Reduce your net cost to buy or lease an electric vehicle by as much as an additional $7,500 with the federal EV tax credit.

      • Up to $7,500 for a new EV and up to $4,000 for a used EV.
      • These tax incentives must now be registered for or taken at the point-of-sale.
      • You must purchase your new or used EV from a dealership that has also registered with the IRS. Otherwise, it will not qualify for the tax credit.
      • The dealership must submit a time-of-sale report with buyer and vehicle details to the IRS Energy Credits Online portal.
      • Make sure you receive the time-of-sale report and the IRS confirmation from the dealer.
      • For leased vehicles, the credit is taken by the leasing company and a portion of it passed on to the consumer as a lease cost reduction.
      • There are very specific eligibility requirements for each program: New Vehicles | Used Vehicles
      • Check on the status of the federal EV tax credit by manufacturer.

      ​​For definitive information on your federal electric vehicle tax credit eligibility, please consult with a qualified tax adviser.

      Charging Rebates

      Electric Car Basics

      What’s the difference between a hybrid and an electric car?

      A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) does not have an external plug. It derives some of its driving power from a normal gasoline engine and some from an electric motor and small battery pack. All of its energy is generated from gasoline. However, unlike a regular gas vehicle, some of this energy is recovered by recharging the batteries through regenerative braking.  This occurs when the vehicle slows and energy is put back into the battery, which results in better average mileage.  

      On the other hand, a plug-in electric vehicle gets its driving power exclusively from an electric motor, and that energy is generated from a larger battery pack that has been recharged from a charger or another external source.  Plug-in electric vehicles also use regenerative braking to improve their overall driving efficiency. 

      There are two types of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs): Battery electrics (BEVs) which run on electricity only, and plug-in hybrid electrics (PHEVs) which can first run entirely on electricity from the battery for a shorter range (often the distance of a daily commute, or more), then seamlessly switch to a full tank of gasoline to recharge the battery when it gets low. 

      What’s the difference between a hybrid and an electric car?

      HEV

      HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE

      • Does not have an external plug
      • Gains some of its driving power from a gasoline engine, and some from an electric motor and small battery pack.
      • Generates its energy from gasoline. However, unlike non-hybrid vehicles, an HEV also recovers and extends some of this energy. How? By recharging the batteries through “regenerative braking”.

      PHEV

      PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE

      • Gets its driving power from an electric motor & gasoline engine. Once the battery is depleted, the vehicle switches to gasoline.
      • Also uses “regenerative braking” to improve overall driving efficiency.

      BEV

      BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLE

      • Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) get all of their driving power from electricity.
      • The battery is charged either at home or at a public charger.

      Images courtesy of Gary Kendall, PhD.

      Compare Electric Vehicles

      BROWSE DrivE & SaVe

      Which electric car you’ll want depends on how many miles you typically drive per day, what types of long trips you plan to take in your vehicle, and what you’re looking to spend. Answering these three personal questions before car shopping will also lead you to the electric models that best fit your lifestyle and needs. For an interactive online guide of models and rebates, visit our “DrivE & SaVe” tool.

      Our tool will help you explore your needs and find the best options for you, matching you to the right kind of electric car. Then you can select and compare cars. Once you have found the car(s) you are interested in, you can review rebates offered by BELD.

      Have questions about electric vehicles or charging? Contact us.