Connecticut Offers Cash To Buyers, Sellers Of Electric Vehicles

Connecticut is offering a cash rebate of up to $3,000 to people who buy an electric car. Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced the incentive program on May 19, building on the state's push to build out a network of charging stations and expand its commitment to promote the use of electric vehicles. In addition to the customer rebates, the Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate Program will provide dealers with bonuses for selling electric or hydrogen vehicles to incentivize dealerships and their sales staffs.

The incentive program is funded by $1 million that Connecticut received in approving the 2012 merger of Northeast Utilities and NStar, the combined company now called Eversource Energy. In all, $800,000 will be used for cash rebates, while $200,000 is set aside for dealer bonuses. The funds are enough to offer rebates for 457 electric or hydrogen vehicles, if the purchases are allocated across the program's three rebate levels.

When the $1 million runs out the rebate program will end, unless additional funding becomes available, the governor said. Connecticut has 1,625 electric vehicles registered as of May 18.

The rebates are available to Connecticut residents, businesses, and municipalities that buy or lease electric vehicles.

Fifteen vehicle models that qualify for rebates are made by Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, FIAT, Ford, Kia, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Nissan, smart, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and Toyota. Tesla Motors is left off the list for two reasons. One, it does not sell vehicles in Connecticut, though it is pursuing legislation to sell its cars directly to customers. And two, the rebates only apply to cars for sale under $60,000; Tesla's Model S starts at $75,000, though its Model 3, slated for 2017, is expected to start at $35,000.

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