WA launches EV rebate program, offering $5,000 off new cars. Here’s who is eligible

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Money is now available for low-income Washington residents to buy or lease electric vehicles, state officials announced Thursday.

The $45 million Department of Commerce program is an effort to make full-battery electric vehicles affordable for between 6,500 and 8,000 low-income people.

The program offers $5,000 off a new EV or $2,500 off a used EV at the time of purchase from a dealer. The program also includes an incentive of up to $9,000 for a lease on a new EV, or up to $2,500 off a lease on a used EV. The maximum incentive is available for leases on a three-year term or longer.

Gov. Jay Inslee and Commerce Director Mike Fong celebrated the program on Thursday near King Street Station in Seattle’s Chinatown International District. Washington is the first state to prioritize low-cost leases as a part of its EV incentive program, according to Inslee and the Department of Commerce.

During the news conference, Inslee, Fong and other speakers were periodically interrupted by the roar of the Blue Angels as they conducted their practice flights above.

“Here they come, celebrating EVs,” Inslee said, pausing while the jets rumbled overhead. “That is the sound of freedom, freedom from gasoline.”

The rebates are applied as a discount by participating dealerships or retailers at the time of the lease or purchase. Vehicles must be fully battery electric and must have a manufacturer’s suggested listed price of below $90,000 to be eligible.

A list of participating dealers and more information on the program is available at waevinstantrebates.org.

People earning 300% or below of the federal poverty level are eligible for the program. That works out to those making less than $45,180 or a household of four making less than $93,600.

The program, which is funded through $50 million set aside from the Legislature’s general fund, will run through June 2025 or until funds run out.

Eligible people are not required to provide any income documentation to dealers to receive a rebate. However, a percentage of all customers will be selected for income verification after buying or leasing an EV, according to the Department of Commerce.

Information from The Seattle Times archive was used in this report.