PORT ANGELES — A program designed to encourage low- to moderate-income Washington residents to switch from conventional fuel to electric vehicles has proved so popular that it will run out of funding about eight months earlier than expected.
The Electric Vehicle Instant Rebate Program launched by the state Department of Commerce on Aug. 1 began with $45 million in funding. As of Friday, there was just $12 million left.
The Department of Commerce anticipates that will be gone by November.
“It has proved way more popular than we expected,” Commerce spokesperson Amelia Lamb said.
Lamb said the program was informed by research conducted by the Department of Commerce that showed individuals with lower incomes were interested in purchasing an EV but were unable to do so because the cost was generally more expensive than conventional gas-powered vehicles.
The rebate lowers the financial barrier to purchasing or leasing EV, and it reduces monthly payments by almost half.
Washington residents who earn up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible to receive a rebate of up to $9,000 for a new EV lease of three years or more, or $5,000 for the purchase of a new EV or a two-year lease.
Funding for the program came from the state’s general fund and was part of a slate of measures encouraging EV purchases and infrastructure the Legislature approved in 2022.
Rebates are only available for EVs — not hybrids — at participating Washington auto dealers.
Four dealerships in Port Angeles are among those taking part in the program: Koenig Subaru, Price Ford Lincoln, Ruddell Auto and Wilder Auto.
The rebate, dealers said, is not only generous, but eligible buyers get their rebate right at the dealership — they don’t need to sign up for the program beforehand.
Guy Mitchell, general sales manager at Wilder Auto, said the dealership had processed 14 sales and lease rebates so far for Honda Prologues, Toyota bZ4Xs, VW ID.4s and Nissan LEAFs.
“It made getting into an electric car possible for people who couldn’t otherwise afford it,” he said.
Koenig Subaru owner Bill Koenig said his dealership sold 120 percent of its EV allocation in August alone, and it had just one left on the lot. He said the program seemed to be the encouragement people who’d been unsure about purchasing an EV needed.
“You’re looking at payments of under $200 a month, no fuel payments and a super-nice vehicle,” he said. “It’s been very successful, not just for me but statewide.”
The Department of Commerce has requested additional funding to continue the program in 2025, Lamb said, but the decision ultimately rests with the Legislature.
A rebate from Washington’s program can be used along with the federal government’s EV rebate program, which offers clean vehicle tax credits to individuals who meet income requirements for the purchase of certain new or used electric and hybrid vehicles. Individuals can receive up to $4,000 for previously owned vehicles and up to $7,500 for new vehicles.
Information about federal clean vehicle tax credits can be found at tinyurl.com/yx8syk42. Information about Washington’s Electric Vehicle Instant Rebate Program eligibility can be found at tinyurl.com/5n7bazzn.
A calculator to determine the federal poverty level can be found at tinyurl.com/4t9wkv3f.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached by email at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
Electric vehicle program
Washington State Department of Commerce’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Instant Rebate Program
New EV Rebates
• Purchase or a two- or three-year lease: $5,000
• Three-plus-year lease: $9,000
Used EV Rebates
• Purchase or two- or three-year lease: $2,500
• Three-plus-year lease: $2,500
Only electric vehicles priced less than $90,000 are eligible for the program. Not eligible are motorcycles, scooters and vehicles like golf carts.
