Delaware To Finally Give EVs Bigger Rebate Than Hybrids
Delaware’s incentives for the purchase of so-called “green cars” have confused a lot of people for some time now, as the rebates offered (until next month) are actually larger for hybrids and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) than for all-electrics (EVs).
Why did the program launched by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Energy and Climate (DNREC) last year offer more to hybrid buyers than to EV buyers?
Who knows, but they are rectifying things now. Beginning next month, EV buyers in Delaware will have access to a $3,500 state rebate; and hybrid, PHEV, and natural-gas vehicle buyers will have access to a $1,500 state rebate.
This compares to the current (launched last year) rebates of $2,200 available to hybrid and PHEV buyers, and the $1,100 rebate available to EV buyers (as well as natural-gas vehicle buyers).
Autoblog provides more: “The program spurred 229 drivers to buy advanced-powertrain vehicles, which the state says was more than expected, but obviously, the state is looking to goose EV sales further by flipping around the incentive plan. … Delaware isn’t exactly a hotbed of plug-in vehicle activity. The state made news around here a few years back when what was then Fisker Automotive was in discussions to take over an old General Motors factory in the town of Newport for the purpose of producing the fledgling automaker’s high-end extended-range plug-in vehicles. The state even offered the automaker $20 million to make good on producing cars there. Those plans eventually went sideways, though, as did Fisker.”
Notably, Delaware is one of the most EV-unfriendly states as far as charging stations go, with there being only 25 public charging locations and 60 plugs in place so far. Part of this is simply that the state as a whole isn’t much more populous than a large city, but it’s still potentially an issue for EV owners. Only the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Mississippi, and Alaska possess fewer EV charging facilities.
Photo by jecoopr via Foter.com (CC BY)
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