UPDATE: The DRIVE EV and Erica Niedowski e-bike rebate programs have paused application acceptance until the week of September 18, 2023, due to funding issues.
July is a big month for Driving Rhode Island to Vehicle Electrification (DRIVE EV) announcements! Last July, Rhode Islanders were thrilled to learn that the DRIVE EV rebate had been re-instated. This July, we learned that the program is taking a brief pause (as of July 11) before it resumes on August 1, 2023.
Upcoming Modifications to DRIVE EV
The Office of Energy Resources (OER) is making these changes because, simply put, they were running out of funds with the existing program rules. Last week we shared that OER was allocated $400,000 more for the DRIVE and Erica Niedowski e-bike rebate program. That’s great, but will only support a couple hundred more EVs or e-bikes at a time when we need to rapidly increase adoption of both technologies to meet our Act on Climate Goals.
The reinstatement of the program on August 1, 2023, comes with modifications that you’ll want to be aware of.
Retroactive applications: Applications for vehicles purchased or leased in July will still be eligible once the program resumes.
DRIVE+ eligibility rules: DRIVE+ is a supplemental program for folks who qualify for federal low-income programs. DRIVE+ recipients can stack the regular DRIVE EV rebate with the DRIVE+ rebate. For DRIVE+ applicants, Medicare will be removed from the list of qualifying state or federal low-income programs in RI. This means that applicants will no longer be able to use Medicare to qualify for DRIVE+. There are lots of other programs you can use to qualify, like LIHEAP and SNAP. Check here for a list of qualifying state or federal low-income programs in RI.
Qualifying dealerships: Vehicles must be purchased at licensed RI Automobile Dealerships or one of the qualifying MA dealerships (below) and registered in RI. The Office of Energy Resources (OER) may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for dealerships not on the below list. Contact OER for more information: Energy.DriveEV@energy.ri.gov. Cars must be purchased or leased on or after August 1, 2023, to qualify for this out-of-state exception.
- First Ford – Fall River, MA
- VW of North Attleboro – North Attleborough, MA
- Boch Nissan South – North Attleborough, MA
- Boch Toyota South – North Attleborough, MA
- Patriot Subaru of North Attleboro – North Attleborough, MA
- Kia of Attleboro – Attleboro, MA
- Stateline Subaru – Somerset, MA
- Courtesy Mitsubishi – Attleboro, MA
Lower rebate amounts: The rebate amounts have also been decreased:
| New Vehicles | DRIVE EV Rebate | DRIVE+ Rebate | Total Rebate Amount |
| Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) | $2,000 | $1,500 | $3,500 |
| Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) | $2,000 | $1,500 | $3,500 |
| Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) | $1,500 | $1,000 | $2,500 |
| Used Vehicles | DRIVE EV Rebate | DRIVE+ Rebate | Total Rebate Amount |
| Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) | $750 | $750 | $1,500 |
What hasn’t been modified is the cap on purchase price. The purchase or lease of a new EV must have a final sales and purchase agreement at or below $60,000. The purchase or lease of a used EV must have a final sales and purchase price agreement at or below $40,000.
Be sure to check out our Rebates & Incentives page for more updates on August 1, 2023.
Erika Niedowski Memorial Electric Bicycle Rebate Program
While DRIVE EV may be on a hiatus, the Erika Niedowski Memorial Electric Bicycle Rebate Program will remain active.
But like the DRIVE EV program, the e-bike program will see modifications as of August 1, 2023.
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For the low-moderate income folks: Medicare has been removed from the list of qualifying state or federal low-income programs in RI. This means that applicants can no longer use Medicare to qualify for the e-bike program. Check here for a list of qualifying state or federal low-income programs in RI.
Qualifying vendors: E-bikes must be purchased from a brick-and-mortar store in RI. Online purchases are only valid if the e-bike is purchased from an online retailer with a direct association or prior agreement with a local RI store.
Rebate amount: The rebate amounts have also decreased:
| E-Bike Rebates | $ Amount Rebate | Percentage Rebate |
| Standard | $350 | 30% |
| Low-Moderate Income (LMI) | $750 | 75% |
Learn More At Our Upcoming Webinar
Interested in learning more about both DRIVE EV and the e-bike rebate program? We’re hosting a webinar with Sara Canabarro from the Office of Energy Resources on August 3, 2023 at 6:00 PM. Join us to learn more about the impact the programs have had in the Rhode Island community and learn more about what’s to come.
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