BOSTON — The Baker-Polito Administration today announced an extension of the Commonwealth’s electric vehicle rebate program, Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) beginning on January 1, 2020 and lasting through at least December 31, 2021. Since June 2014, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has dedicated over $31 million in this effort by incentivizing the purchase of over 15,000 electric vehicles and has reduced the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 39,000 metric tons annually. In an effort to support and continue this growth, the Baker-Polito Administration, through the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), will make at least $27 million available per year in 2020 and 2021 to electric vehicle incentive programs including MOR-EV.

“The MOR-EV program has successfully spurred the growth of clean, affordable, and environmentally friendly electric vehicles across the Commonwealth, and we are proud to be able to extend the program to continue to encourage car buyers to go electric,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Electrifying the transportation sector across the state plays an integral role in our administration’s holistic and proactive strategy to combat climate change while creating a clean, affordable, and resilient transportation future for Massachusetts.”

“Our administration is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollution by aiding the transition to cleaner, more efficient vehicles for Massachusetts residents,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “The extension and increase in funding for the successful MOR-EV program is a tremendous step forward in our efforts to both reduce emissions and make clean transportation financially achievable for more Massachusetts residents.”

Starting on January 1, 2020, MOR-EV will be extended to support qualifying battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) up to a $50,000 final purchase price with a $2,500 rebate. Additionally, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVS) with an all-electric range of 25 miles or greater and with a final purchase price up to $50,000 are eligible for a $1,500 rebate. Rebates will not be made available to purchases made prior to January 1, 2020. The program was phased out from September 30, 2019 to December 31, 2019 due to the rapid growth in applications causing a lack of funding. However, the Baker-Polito Administration proposed a funding proposal in the budget presented last January, which was largely adopted in a recent supplemental budget.

“As the transportation sector is the largest contributor to carbon emissions in the Commonwealth, the Baker-Polito Administration is taking critical action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation through efforts like the Transportation and Climate Initiative and significant investments in electric vehicles and infrastructure,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “Investing in the MOR-EV program is an important step to incentivize a shift towards clean and environmentally friendly transportation options for residents across the state.”

In addition to the MOR-EV program, the Commonwealth has pursued a number of additional transportation programs and policies to accelerate the adoption of fuel-efficient vehicles. Through the development and implementation of the State Fleet Fuel Efficiency Standard, agencies are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from state vehicles. As part of DOER’s Green Communities program application process, cities and towns must adopt a fuel-efficient vehicle policy. In addition, grants given out through Green Communities are often used to help cities and towns electrify their municipal vehicle fleets.

Earlier this month, Massachusetts and 11 other states across the Northeast and the District of Columbia announced the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) draft agreement, which would generate $1.4 billion to $7 billion per year regionally for transportation-related investments and about $500 million per year in Massachusetts. This funding would be directed towards enhancing transit system infrastructure, reducing congestion and delivering more resilient, efficient transportation programs. The bipartisan, regional program will increase investments in the Commonwealth’s public transportation infrastructure and in climate resiliency programs to cut carbon emissions and help address the effects of climate change. The program is modeled after the success of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which has reduced emissions from the power sector and supported energy efficiency programs in the Commonwealth.

“As identified in DOER’s 2018 Comprehensive Energy Plan, increasing the share of clean electricity while promoting electrification of the transportation sector maximizes the benefits to our economy and our environment and the MOR-EV program is a key policy to foster that transition,” said Department of Energy Resources Acting Commissioner Patrick Woodcock. “By taking advantage of the resources provided through MOR-EV, Massachusetts residents can take part and contribute to moving us forward as a state towards our shared clean energy future.”

“Now more than ever, the Legislature and the Administration must work together in partnership to aggressively confront the impacts of climate change,” said State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The increased funding to bolster the state’s electric vehicle rebate program – MOR-EV – is a symbol of this partnership and a reflection of our shared commitment to take meaningful steps to address climate change, reduce our carbon footprint and advance a clean energy future for our Commonwealth.”

“Reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector is critically important to meeting our goals under the Global Warming Solutions Act, and rebates for electric vehicles are an effective tool for that purpose,” said State Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “Through this program consumers have a powerful incentive to make positive changes for our environment.”

“The relaunch of the MOR-EV program is great news for consumers who are looking for a financial incentive to purchase an electric or hybrid vehicle,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading). “By offering rebates of up to $2,500, Massachusetts can expand the number of electric vehicles on our roadways, which will greatly enhance the state’s ability to lower carbon emissions and achieve its greenhouse gas reduction targets.”

MOR-EV is administered on DOER’s behalf by the Center for Sustainable Energy. The funding is financed by Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auction proceeds and aims to help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and meet Massachusetts’ goals under the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector.

For complete rebate program information and other details, visit www.MOR-EV.org.

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