How to Find All the Available Electric Car Incentives

Consumer Reports offers car shoppers a new way to discover national and local incentives

By Jeff S. Bartlett

Electric car shoppers know about the much-ballyhooed tax credits of up to $7,500 on eligible vehicles. But there are other incentives available, if you know where to look.

Consumer Reports’ Electric Vehicle Savings Finder highlights local and federal incentives and tax rebates, based on your ZIP code and the model you’re researching. This feature is part of our free membership at CR.org, requiring just an email address to access.

Powered by ZappyRide, the Electric Vehicle Savings Finder can uncover money you didn’t know was available, potentially making purchasing an EV less expensive than anticipated.

Some states offer tax credits that can be stacked on top of the federal tax credit. For example, in New York, where Consumer Reports is headquartered, there is a rebate for up to $2,000 that can be applied to a lease or purchase of an EV. Plus the major electricity provider, ConEd, offers up to $1,000 a year in rebates for owners who charge at off-peak hours. Such offers are highlighted, with direct links to the details, making it easy to see what’s available and learn how to use the incentives.

Photo: Consumer Reports

CR’s Electric Vehicle Savings Finder is the latest tool in a robust portfolio of car-buying, maintenance, and repair information. This includes a new, interactive car selector designed to help consumers rapidly narrow down their choices based on specific attributes that they seek, such as fuel economy and comfort.

If you know what you’re after, dive right into our interactive ratings tool, noting the low-emissions models that earn CR’s Green Choice designation. And to help with budgeting, check your trade-in value.

If you’re shopping used, we have an expansive used-car marketplace that includes reliability and owner satisfaction ratings.

Ready to put concerns about rising gas prices behind you? Explore the Electric Vehicle Savings Finder to see what the real cost is for buying an electric car. It may be less than you expect.

Photo: Consumer Reports

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