What's the big deal? Greater affordability!
Incentives help to drive down your cost when buying or leasing a ZEV. Financial incentives may come in the form of additional tax credits, vehicle or charging infrastructure rebates or vouchers, vehicle registration fee reductions, and low-interest finance loans.
Zero-Emissions Vehicles
The CHEAPR program is administered by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. CHEAPR provides an on-the-hood cash rebate for residents, businesses, and municipalities that purchase or lease a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV). FCEVs receive the largest rebate of $5,000, while BEVs receive incentives on a sliding scale based on the EPA rated electric range of the vehicle. PHEVs receive a rebate of $500.
| EPA Rated Electric Range | Incentive Amount |
|---|---|
| Any fuel cell electric vehicle | $5,000 |
| BEV: 200 miles or greater | $1,500 |
| BEV: Less than 200 miles PHEV: Any PHEV |
$500 |
More than 35 vehicles of different types are currently on the eligible vehicle list for CHEAPR. This list continues to grow as manufacturers release new models. For more details about the CHEAPR program, visit EVConnecticut.
At the Department of Motor Vehicles, ZEVs are eligible for a reduced registration fee and are not subject to certain fees typically levied on gasoline-fueled vehicles.
Reduced Vehicle Registration Fee
EVs are eligible for a reduced vehicle registration fee of $38. (Non-EVs are typically charged a vehicle registration fee of $80.)
EV Emissions Inspection Exemption
Vehicles powered exclusively by electricity are exempt from Connecticut's motor vehicle emissions inspection requirement. (Vehicles subject to an emissions test are assessed a $20 fee.)
Emissions Exemption Fee
For their first four model years from manufacture, new vehicles are exempt from having to report for an emissions test. When any vehicle that is four or less model years old is registered for the first time in Connecticut, the owner must pay a $40 emissions exemption fee. However, because vehicles powered exclusively by electricity produce no tailpipe emissions, they are exempt from the emission inspection requirement and the $40 emissions exemption fee.
If you are a customer of Groton Utilities or Bozrah Light & Power, Groton Utilities offers a $2,000 rebate for the purchase of an EV and a $1,000 rebate for the lease of an EVs. This offer is limited to the first 20 EVs in each category. Eligible customers can also apply for an additional $600 rebate toward an approved Level 2 charging station. Visit Groton Utilities' Electric Vehicle Rebate Program webpage for more information.
Norwich Public Utilities offers its electric customers up to a $1,000 rebate for the purchase or lease of a new or used battery electric vehicle (BEV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Specifically, Norwich Public Utilities offers a $1,000 rebate toward a new BEV, a $500 rebate toward a new PHEV or a used BEV (model year 2017 or newer), and a $250 rebate toward a used PHEV (model year 2017 or newer).
Norwich Public Utilities also offers eligible electric customers a rebate for the purchase and installation of new Level 2 EV charging equipment, not to exceed the cost of the charger. Specifically, Norwich Public Utilities offers up to $500 for a residential home charger, up to $1,500 for a commercial charger for a multi-unit dwelling (4 units or more) or for workplace charging, and up to $2,000 for a commercial charger for public use.
Nissan has also partnered with Norwich Public Utilities to offer a $5,000 rebate off the MSRP on a new 2019 Nissan Leaf or a $2,500 rebate off the MSRP on a new 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus. These rebates can be combined with applicable federal and state incentives. Nissan has extended this offer until January 2, 2020.
Visit Norwich Public Utilities' Electric Vehicle & Charging Rebate Program webpage for more details on the above offers.
Auto manufacturers and dealerships may offer incentives for vehicle purchases in Connecticut under certain conditions for qualification. Below are the offers we are aware of:
Nissan rebates (offer extended to January 2, 2020)
Nissan has partnered with the Connecticut Green Bank to offer a $5,000 rebate off the MSRP on a new 2019 Nissan Leaf or a $2,500 rebate off the MSRP on a new 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus. These rebates can be combined with applicable federal and state incentives. We encourage you to review complete offer details at Connecticut Green Bank's EV website before visiting a participating Nissan dealership in Connecticut.
Fleet rebates
Is your organization or small business interested in switching to an electric fleet? Below is a quick sample of auto manufacturers know to offer competitive EV fleet pruchase programs. We highly recommend that your organization or small business contact auto manufacturers directly to check whether they currently offer a fleet-based incentive.
Ford | General Motors | Nissan
Your purchase or lease of a new ZEV may be eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500. The credit amount will vary based on the battery capacity used to power the ZEV. To find the specific amount of tax credit for each ZEV model you are considering, visit FuelEconomy.gov’s website:
Tax Credits for Electric Vehicles and Tax Credits for Plug-in Hybrids
To claim this federal tax credit, you must fill out the following IRS form:
IRS Form 8936, Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit
At this time, we know of no financing loan programs being offered by banks, credit unions, or other financial institutions that particularly focus on or involve ZEV purchases or leases.