Salem, Oregon – On Thursday, May 22, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will restart its popular electric vehicle rebate program, giving drivers more time and money than ever before. Thanks to a $31 million award from last summer’s Climate Equity and Resilience Through Action (CERTA) funding, the statewide effort will stay open well beyond its typical two-month window, ensuring that more households may tap into financial help for cleaner rides.
DEQ runs two primary rebate programs. Providing up to $2,500 toward the purchase or lease of a new battery electric car, plug-in hybrid or zero-emission motorbike (from a preapproved list), the Standard Rebate is available to all Oregon households, businesses, NGOs and government agencies.
For qualifying low- and moderate-income residents and nonprofits serving underserved communities, the Charge Ahead Rebates are much larger: $5,000 toward a used electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle, or up to $7,500 for a brand-new model, again selected from a special Charge Ahead Eligible Vehicle List.
Applicants wishing to participate in the Charge Ahead program must satisfy income criteria specified on DEQ’s website and obtain a voucher by filling out a short prequalification form. Approved participants bring the voucher to a participating dealer and use it straight at the point of sale.
“The Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program is enormously popular,” said DEQ Air Quality Transportation Section Manager Rachel Sakata. “By helping to offset the cost of an electric vehicle, it continues to be one of the best ways many individuals and families can gain access to cleaner transportation and improve air quality across the state.”
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Every year, at least $12 million—nearly half of Oregon’s Vehicle Privilege Tax—feeds into the rebate fund. Though the extra CERTA funds will support the Charge Ahead stream and prolong the total program life, last year’s increase in demand depleted those funds in only two months. DEQ will monitor rebate requests in real time and publish a public notification at least 30 days before any funding runs dry.
Though early applicants have the greatest likelihood of obtaining cash, prospective buyers have up to six months from the date of lease or purchase to apply for a rebate. Approved requests that come after funding runs out will be placed on a waitlist; payment is anticipated in early spring 2026.
Vehicles bought before May 22, 2025, are not eligible for state rebates or the waitlist, but may still qualify for federal EV tax credits. Apart from DEQ’s initiative, Oregon drivers can get incentives from other state agencies and utilities via the Go Electric Oregon website, which also provides details on local offers and home charging grants.
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Visit DEQ’s Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program page for complete information or reach the EV Rebate team through the DEQ website.
