New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that New York has seen a 74 percent increase in electric car sales over the same time period last year, resulting from the Drive Clean Rebate initiative launched on March 21, 2017. The Drive Clean Rebate provides New York residents with a rebate of up to $2,000 for the purchase of a new electric car from participating dealers.
The initiative supports Governor Cuomo’s aggressive goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 by encouraging the growth of clean and non-polluting electric car use in New York.
For the first three full months following the implementation of the Drive Clean Rebate (April to June), New York State saw a significant increase in the total number of electric cars sold.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, which administers the rebate program, approved more than 2,300 rebate applications in the first 5 full months rebates have been available (March to August). In total, more than $3 million in rebates were provided to New Yorkers for the purchase or lease of 26 different types of cars. Leading car models sold include the Toyota Prius Prime, which accounted for more than 40 percent of the rebates, the Chevrolet Bolt EV (12 percent), Chevrolet Volt (10 percent), and the Ford Fusion Energi (10 percent). Overall, most people received rebates of $1,100 or more for their new electric cars.
Of the 2,332 Drive Clean Rebate applications submitted through August 31, 2017, approximately 33 percent were submitted by Long Island consumers (779 applications), followed by consumers in the Mid-Hudson region (404 applications – 17.3 percent), Capital District (276 applications – 12 percent), and Finger Lakes (251 applications – 11 percent).
The transportation sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in New York State. Compared to gasoline-powered cars, electric cars are more energy efficient and cost about 50 to 70 percent less to operate per mile. Carbon emission savings from cars receiving rebates under this initiative is expected to be 115,000 metric tons per year, the equivalent of taking 24,000 cars off the road.
The Drive Clean Rebate is a $70 million electric car rebate and outreach initiative to encourage the growth of clean and non-polluting electric car use in New York and promote the reduction of carbon emissions in the transportation sector.
Published in the November 2017 Edition of American Recycler News
