Madras, OR—Oregon’s Environmental Quality Commission today approved an expansion of the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program rules (OAR 340-270-0030), making it easier for people to purchase electric vehicles. Oregonians who bought or leased eligible electric vehicles between Jan. 1 and Aug. 2, 2018, will once again be allowed to apply for rebates through March 30, 2020. In addition, those purchasing or leasing a new or used plug-in hybrid electric vehicle on or after Sept. 29, 2019, will be eligible for the Charge Ahead Rebate, which offers $2,500 back to low- or moderate-income applicants.The program, which is administered by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, supports an Executive Order issued by Gov. Kate Brown in November 2017 to have 50,000 electric vehicles registered in the state by the end of 2020.“The cars we drive are responsible for the majority of pollution which forms smog, as well as nearly forty percent of Oregon’s greenhouse gases,” said Ali Mirzakhalili, air quality division administrator, DEQ. “Today’s expansion of the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program means that more Oregonians have the opportunity to purchase or lease electric vehicles and actively participate in reducing pollution throughout our state.”Prior to today, only electric vehicle applicants who applied within six months of their purchase or lease date were eligible for rebates. However, due to a legal challenge in the program’s first year, many potential candidates did not submit applications. The new rule gives those people the opportunity to submit their applications and receive rebates.Additionally, the Charge Ahead Rebate was previously only available when purchasing a new or used battery electric vehicle. By adding new or used plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to the Charge Ahead Vehicle Eligibility List, low- and moderate-income rebate candidates have more purchase options for price comparison. DEQ has listed the eligibility requirements for the Charge Ahead Rebate on its website.Last month, DEQ and other state agencies announced that Oregon has registered more than 26,000 electric vehicles, marking more than halfway to Governor Brown’s goal of 50,000 electric vehicles registered in the state by the end of 2020.For additional information on the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, please visit https://go.usa.gov/xVv8y. Additional Links:Charge Ahead Rebate Eligibility Requirements: http://go.usa.gov/xVvuK Charge Ahead Vehicle Eligibility List: https://go.usa.gov/xVv9C Standard Rebate Vehicle Eligibility List: https://go.usa.gov/xVv9g State Celebrates Halfway Mark to 50K Electric Vehicles: https://go.usa.gov/xVv9X Executive Order No. 17-21: https://go.usa.gov/xVv9b About The Oregon Department of Environmental QualityThe Oregon Department of Environmental Quality protects human health and the environment by controlling air and water pollution, reducing the impacts of manufactured products and cleaning up contaminated properties. DEQ engages the public in decision-making and helps communities solve problems in ways that are economically and environmentally sustainable.Contact:Susan C. Mills, DEQ Public Affairs Specialist, 503-956-9648, Mills.Susan@deq.state.or.us ###