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Electric Car Rebates Not Designed For High-End Buyers

Regarding the June 2 letter "Rebate Is Great Unless You Want a Tesla": The state's CHEAPR program was designed to grow the fledgling electric vehicle market by providing a rebate that would help convert more sales. Luxury electric vehicles, such as the BMW i8 and the Tesla, are priced well above the $60,000 threshold to qualify for the rebate.

These high-end cars also attract customers who are less likely to be swayed by the incentive. CHEAPR was designed for regular mid-priced customers, and over over the last 18 months, the program has been so successful in building the EV market that it is viewed as a national state policy model. Let's be fair to the average consumer and agree that a $3,000 rebate will not affect the buying behavior of Tesla customers.

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Electric vehicle program in Connecticut gets infusion of cash

An incentive program launched last year to encourage more Connecticut residents to purchase electric vehicles is getting a new infusion of cash.

The Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate (CHEAPR) program is getting $1 million, Rob Klee, commissioner of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, said Thursday. Klee made his announcement regarding the new funding during a press conference held at Stevens Ford in Milford.

Stevens was honored as the Connecticut car dealership with the most sales and leases during the first year of the CHEAPR program.

“Now is the perfect time to think about the advantages offered by EVs,” Klee said in a statement. “One of the biggest advantages is the rebate we have offered up to $3,000 for those who purchase or lease an eligible vehicle under our program. We are now strengthening that program with the addition of $1 million in new funding that’s putting money right back in the pocket of car buyers.”

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NHTSA warns Tesla over non-disclosure pacts

WASHINGTON -- U.S. auto safety regulators have chastised Tesla Motors over reports that it used nondisclosure agreements with consumers in exchange for covering out-of-warranty repair costs on some of vehicles.

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration spokesman said in a statement that the agency learned of a “troublesome” Tesla nondisclosure agreement last month over a repair issue that could have safety implications.

“The agency immediately informed Tesla that any language implying that consumers should not contact the agency regarding safety concerns is unacceptable, and NHTSA expects Tesla to eliminate any such language,” said NHTSA spokesman Bryan Thomas. 

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CARA and DEEP worked Jointly to develop this program to support and enhance dealerships’ efforts to sell clean air vehicles

 

Source: Washington Post

What's the best place in the country to buy a new electric car?

That honor arguably goes to Colorado, whose legislature just passed a bill that, starting in 2017, will effectively give consumers a $5,000 discount at the dealership. Throw in an existing nationwide federal subsidy for futuristic, low-carbon vehicles powered by electricity, and Colorado residents could rack up as much as $12,500 in potential tax credits.

As the demand rises for high-tech electric vehicles (EVs) that can travel hundreds of miles on a single charge, we thought it'd be worth looking at which state governments offer the best incentives for folks who are looking to make the jump. Electric cars have a number of advantages over conventional gasoline-powered vehicles, such as a lack of emissions and vastly superior torque. They have some disadvantages too, but a number of states believe the technology is important enough to dangle money in front of drivers for considering them.

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