Inslee likens EV rebate program to signing of Declaration of Independence

(The Center Square) - Gov. Jay Inslee this week announced the launch of a first-in-the-country electric vehicle rebate program funded through the state Department of Commerce, which is intended to encourage more car owners to transition away from gasoline vehicles.

The $45 million rebate program is one of several public policies the state is pursuing as part of their ultimate goal of converting the public and private transportation sectors into EVs. One of the ongoing challenges is the higher cost for EVs compared to their gasoline counterparts.

Speaking at an Aug. 1 news conference, Inslee said that while the cost of EVs has decreased “we don’t want to wait.”

“We want to get as many Washingtonians as possible, regardless of the economic circumstances, to be able to experience the thrill of having an EV, having a quiet, safe, comfortable right, and have gas prices the way they should be - which is zero, because you don't have to pay any,” he said.

Comparing the rebate program to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Inslee said “we have a declaration of independence from gasoline. It is freedom, and we're giving an opportunity for Washingtonians to enjoy that freedom.”

Under the program, state residents making 300% or below the federal poverty level in household income are eligible to apply for a rebate on an EV purchase or lease, provided the vehicle is $90,000 or less; hybrids and hydrogen vehicles are not eligible. The rebates are $5,000 for a purchase or two year lease on a new EV, and $9,000 for a three-year lease. The rebates for used EVs purchase or a two and three year leases are $2,500.

Speaking at the Aug. 1 press conference, state Department of Commerce Director Mike Fong said the program will help “level the playing field and really enabling EV adoption to go across the whole state.”

More information about the rebate program can be found at waevinstantrebates.org/.