Massachusetts EV rebate: What To Know

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There are many folks in Massachusetts that expect to own an electric vehicle not so far into the future. State schemes might accelerate the EV adoption rate in MA. So, what incentives can you expect for buying an electric vehicle in Massachusetts?

At a Glance:
1️⃣ Massachusetts residents may claim a $3500 rebate on the purchase of an electric vehicle.

2️⃣ The federal tax credit of up to $7500 still applies to MA residents.

3️⃣ Beld and Eversource offer a few incentives for electric vehicle charging.

4️⃣ 100% electric vehicles are not required to go through vehicle emission inspections.

MA seems generous with its EV benefits. So, if you need to get as much information as possible, this article is for you; keep reading.

Does Massachusetts Have An Electric Vehicle Rebate?

Yes. Residents of the state of Massachusetts who purchase or lease a new electric car are eligible for incentives under the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Rebate program.

The rebate for individual post-purchases is twofold:

  1. Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to receive up to $3,500 in compensation. This applies to new or leased battery electric vehicles or fuel cell electric cars. Prior to Nov 10, 2022, the limit was $50000, and after it’s $55000 
  2. For plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (what is a PHEV?), the rebate is $1500, which is still a decent amount at the end of the day.

Furthermore, MA is currently discussing the idea of incentivizing those who purchase a used electric vehicle. You do not see this often, and it should help with EV adoption rates.

These incentives are over and above the Federal EV tax credit, which forms part of the Inflation Reduction Act. In total, you may be eligible for up to $11,000 or between 20%-22% off, depending on when you made the purchase.

How To Qualify For The EV Rebate In MA

Qualifying for the Massachusetts rebate is your first step to actually applying for it. That said, here are a few things to note:

1️⃣ The electric vehicle must, first and foremost, be brand-new and have been bought or leased on or after November 10th, 2022.

2️⃣ Second, the vehicle’s MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) cannot exceed $50,000 (prior to the date above) and $55,000 after.

3️⃣ You must have purchased or leased the electric car from a Massachusetts-licensed dealer.
Only eligible vehicles are considered for the rebate.

4️⃣ Vehicles must be retained and registered in Massachusetts for at least 36 months.

5️⃣ Lastly, the applicant must be either a Massachusetts resident or a business.

If you meet all of these criteria, you can apply for the rebate on the MOR-EV program website.

During the application process, you must provide documentation, including proof of purchase or lease and a copy of your vehicle registration.

Does Massachusetts Have Charging Station Rebates For EVs?

Massachusetts’s electric vehicle charging station rebate is not typically aimed at individuals. Instead, it is aimed at public entities, businesses, and schools.

While that doesn’t sound great, it makes charging more accessible as it incentivizes these places to put up stations all around the state, so it is still a win-win situation. 

With that said, you can receive a few incentives from utility providers in the state: Let’s see what you can expect from the two major providers: 

  • Eversource: For enrolling in the providers charging program, you get a $50 rebate. Additionally, you will receive up to $20 per annum. Unfortunately, the rest of the incentives provided by this provider are aimed at businesses.
  • Beld: When installing a level 2 electric vehicle charger in your home, you can qualify for a $250 rebate from this provider.

Utility providers in MA aren’t currently offering the best incentives compared to other states. But, state residents may still apply for the federal EV charger tax credit if they aren’t a customer of the below organizations.

Incentive ProgramProviderRequirementsBenefitsMore Information
EV Charging Station Installation IncentiveEversourceNon-residential customers, 2+ hour parking, approved Level 2/DCFC stationsCovers make-ready installation costs (trenching, service meter, conduit, wiring)Eversource Charging Stations website
EV Charging Station DiscountBraintree Electric Light Department (BELD)Enroll in Bring Your Own Charger Program, purchase qualified Level 2 EV charging station$250 discount on charging station purchaseBELD Rebates and Incentives
Residential EV Charging Station RebateNational GridResidential/MUD customers, off-peak charging program enrollment, pre-wiring for Level 2 stationUp to $700 (residential) or $1,400 (MUD) for pre-wiring; up to $2,000 for low-income/environmental justiceNational Grid Residential EV Charging Infrastructure Program
EV RebateMassachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (HELPS)Residential customers of participating MLPsFree or discounted Level 2 EV charging station (varies by MLP)HELPS EV Charger Incentive Program

FAQs

How Do I Claim My Massachusetts EV Rebate? 

Now that you know what you need to qualify for the rebate and what you might be entitled to, here is a step-by-step guide on to claim your benefits:

  • Purchase or lease a qualifying EV or hybrid vehicle.
  • Keep all of your Supporting documents.
  • Create an account on the MOR-EV website. Remember, you must register as a business or individual; it is important to select the right option to avoid complications.
  • Answer all the questions on the site.
  • Submit your application.

If you find yourself to be struggling, speak to a professional tax consultant.

Do Electric Cars Need To Be Inspected In Massachusetts?

Electric cars need to be inspected in the same manner as all other cars except for one exemption. EVs in MA are exempt from emission inspections. In the long run, this reduces the operational cost of the vehicle.

Most emissions tests happen before you even purchase the car, but in the unlikely event that you are called to an emissions test, they can be tedious, so being exempt is a little bonus.

Key Takeaways

1️⃣ Massachusetts residents can claim a $3,500 rebate on the purchase of an electric vehicle, in addition to the federal tax credit of up to $7,500.

2️⃣ Massachusetts offers rebates and incentives for electric vehicle charging stations through various providers, such as Eversource and Beld.

3️⃣ Electric vehicles in Massachusetts are exempt from vehicle emission inspections, reducing long-term costs for owners.

🎓 Disclaimer: this article is accurate at the time of publication in 2023. Please reference the publication date to determine whether any rebates or schemes still apply.