The Department of Environmental Protection is close to reaching a milestone and as a result is offering more rewards to drivers who want to purchase alternative fuel powered cars and trucks.
The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program will be extended once it reaches its milestone of awarding 500 rebates of $3,500 for large-battery system plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery-electric vehicles.
“[The] ultimate goal is to have vehicles be more environmentally friendly and to not have such a dire need for foreign fuel," said DEP Spokesperson Lynda Rebarchak. "We have a lot of great resources here in Pennsylvania, including natural gas, and we offer natural gas vehicle rebates as well; and that’s our goal, to be self-sufficient and more environmentally friendly.”
Large-battery vehicles that have battery system capacity equal or greater than 10 kilo-watt hours (kWh). Models such as the Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus and Chevy Volt are eligible for the highest rebate amount. DEP also offers rebates of $1,000 for large-battery system plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery-electric vehicles with battery system capacity less than 10 kWh, including models such as the Toyota Prius plug-in and Ford C-Max Energi.
Rebates of $1,000 are offered for natural gas, propane, hydrogen or fuel-cell vehicles. A $500 rebate is available for electric motorcycles and scooters.
“…and then we’ll see. We’ll see what the market is, we’ll see what the response has been, and we’ll see, you know, what types of vehicles need the incentive for folks to buy,” said Rebarchak.
DEP provides these rebates as incentives to assist Pennsylvanians with the incremental cost of purchasing an alternative fuel vehicle. To qualify, the vehicle must be registered in Pennsylvania, operated primarily in-state and be purchased no more than six months before the rebate application is submitted.
"There are some remote plug-in stations that are popping up across the state, and our hope is as we continue these rebates, and as the technology gains popularity, that you’ll see additional charging stations across the state as well,” said Rebarchak.
Rebate applications and updated guidelines are available on DEP’s website at www.dep.state.pa.us, keyword: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebates. Information on rebate availability will be updated weekly.
