Why drive an EV (electric vehicle)? EVs are less expensive to operate and maintain than fuel cars (say goodbye to oil changes), and they are fun to drive! Also, you can conveniently charge your car at home, or at the growing number of charging stations in Massachusetts and beyond — so no more stops at gas stations. Plus, there are a lot of great choices on the market now; check out the many options through Drive Green and PlugStar.
Most important, driving an EV is one of the most impactful ways to reduce your emission of greenhouse gases and harmful pollutants.
The average reduction in carbon foot print when a gas-powered vehicle is switched to an EV is approximately 2.6 tons/year of CO2 equivalent. Your individual impact will depend on the particular car model you drive, how much you drive, and other factors.
If the electricity that powers the EV is generated by renewable, carbon-free sources, for example from a solar system, then you have taken an even bigger step to limit emissions, totaling approximately 4 tons per vehicle on average. Electrifying your ride is the biggest single step most families can take to support Boxborough’s mobilization to achieve our Town’s carbon emissions goal.
There are two informative EV webinars with the folks from DriveGreen, now available on our Events Page.
How much does an EV cost? There is a broad range of EV pricing, as is true for gas-fueled vehicles. However, there are significant rebates available through the State of Massachusetts ($1,500–$2,500), as well as federal tax credits. On top of this, Drive Green, a program of the Boston-based Green Energy Consumers Alliance, saves even more. Drive Green arranges, with Massachusetts car dealerships, provision of very substantial discounts on the purchase or lease of many brands and models of EVs. These deals change every month, so be sure to check often. There is more information on costs and savings under the Deep Dive tab.
Want to lease? Many drivers do opt to lease electric cars because the technology improves every few years. As noted, Drive Green offers substantial discounts on leasing through local car dealerships. If you lease a car, the leasing company gets the federal tax credit, which is why several dealers are offering very attractive leasing options.
Federal Incentives (2023)
In 2023, a federal tax credit of up to $7500 for certain new EVs will be available. Income limits apply. Max. MSRP of $55,000 for passecars or max. MSRP of $80,000 for vans, SUVs nd pickup trucks. In 2024, the tax credits will convert to a point of sale incentive to the dealer, meaning you get that discount right away.
In 2024, a federal tax credit of up to $4000 for USED EVs will become available, income limits apply. In 2024, tax credits will convert to point of sale incentives to the dealer, meaning you get that discount right away.
In 2023, households in low income or rural areas are eligible for a 30% tax credit up to $1,500 to install an electric vehicle charger.
2023 Information on income criteria for EV incentives
2023 EVs qualifying for tax credit
State Incentives (2023)
Massachusetts 2023 Mor-EV Incentives for NEW EVs are $3500 for EVs with a purchase price < $55,000, $1500 for a new plug-in hybrid EV. Vehicle must be retained and registered in Massachusetts for at least 36 months.
Does LELWD offer any EV incentives? LELWD, Boxborough’s electricity supplier, offers multiple EV charging incentives, including access to free public charging stations, up to $300 rebate for the installation of a Smart Level 2 charger, and $8/month bill credit when you charge your EV during off-peak hours.
LELWD’s five public charging stations are listed on networks such as PlugShare, a website that helps EV drivers find charging stations nationwide.
LEWLD installed Boxborough’s first electric vehicle charging station on public property at the Albert J. Sargent Memorial Library. This level 2 charging station provides moderate charging that uses 240 volts and can deliver power for 10-50 miles with a one-hour charge. The cost to charge an electric vehicle at any LELWD station is 12-cents per kilowatt hour and then $2 per hour after the vehicle is fully charged. This results in a 4-cents per mile cost for an electric vehicle with a 3 mile per kwh efficiency. For comparison, it would cost almost 14-cents per mile for a gasoline vehicle that gets 22 miles per gallon when gas is costing $3.00/gal.
An electric vehicle having a 50 kWh battery would cost about $6 to “fill up” at an LELWD charger. Compared to a similar gasoline vehicle with a 14-gallon tank, it would cost around $42 to fill, when gas prices are $3.00.
Learn more on the LELWD website here or call LELWD at (978) 540-2222 or email them at info@lelwd.com for more information.
From costs to maintenance to environmental stewardship, there are many great reasons to switch to EVs!
