State spending on alternative fuel rebates hits $15.7 million

By Scott McClallen | The Center Square

HARRISBURG, PA – Pennsylvania’s alternative fuel rebate paid $15.7 million to residents over the last 12 years, according to state data.

Since 2018, the Department of Environmental Protection provided rebates for 5,060 full-battery electric vehicles, 1,714 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and 42 electric motorcycles.

The program will offer at least 500 rebates starting July 1 until June 30, 2024.

Rebates are offered to Pennsylvania residents only, while companies, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies can apply for Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants.

Rebates are offered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding is available and are subject to the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Guidelines.

Gov. Josh Shapiro spokesperson Manuel Bonder told The Center Square that Shapiro is “committed” to protecting Pennsylvanians’ right to clean air and pure water.

“Expanding the use of electric vehicles helps reduce pollution and improve air quality, and that’s why the Shapiro Administration is working to leverage federal funding to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the Commonwealth and make it easier to buy an electric vehicle,” Bonder wrote in an email.

“Our Administration is continuing to explore ways to address climate change, create jobs, and ensure every Pennsylvanian has a safe and healthy environment,” he added.

The Pennsylvania EV 2021 roadmap says at least 30% of new medium-duty and heavy-duty truck sales will be zero-emission vehicles by 2030 while 100% of truck sales will be zero-emission vehicles by 2050.

Applicants must submit a rebate application within six months from the vehicle purchase date. Some new, pre-owned, and demonstration vehicles with a final purchase price of $50,000 or less are eligible.

The program offers a $2,000 rebate for a battery electric vehicle, a $1,500 rebate for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, and a $500 rebate for a compressed natural gas vehicle, propane-fueled vehicle, and electric motorcycle.

One-time pre-owned vehicles must have an odometer reading of 75,000 miles or less, a final purchase price of $50,000 or less, and must be purchased from a registered dealer.

Demonstration vehicles must have an odometer reading reading over 500 miles and less than 10,000 miles, a purchase price of $50,000 or less, and must be from a registered dealer.

An additional $1,000 is available to applicants who meet low-income requirements.

Federal data as of 2022 say Pennsylvania has 8.8 million gasoline vehicles, 698,500 E85s, 199,600 HEVs, 191,700 diesel vehicles, 47,400 EVs, and 25,400 PHEVs.

From July 2018 to June 2023, the counties with the most EV rebates issued include Montgomery (1056); Allegheny (987); Chester (760); Bucks (614); Delaware (408); and Philadelphia (402).