Amid Soaring Gas Prices, RI Debuts New Electric Vehicle Rebates

PROVIDENCE, RI — As gas prices soar to historic highs across the country and world, a new program in Rhode Island is encouraging drivers to consider alternative options. On Monday, Gov. Dan McKee announced the "DRIVEEV" rebate program, available to both residents and businesses in the state.

Rebates are expected to become available by summer, funded by an initial commitment of $1.25 million from the state's Office of Energy Resources.

"I am proud to announce that Rhode Island residents and businesses will soon have access to electric vehicle rebates that will help meet their transportation needs in a more sustainable manner," McKee said. "Increased adoption of EVs will reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere — a key driver of climate change and pollution-induced heath impacts, especially in our frontline communities."

The rebate program is part of a two-pronged effort to encourage Rhode Island drivers to buy electric vehicles, McKee said, alongside the push to increase the number of publicly funded charging stations.

"My budget also includes $23 million in federal funds to expand our network of electric vehicle charging stations," McKee continued. "When combined, these investments will encourage more Rhode Islanders to invest in electric vehicles and support the state’s progress toward a net-zero emissions economy by 2050."

According to the governor's office, more than one third of the state's carbon emissions come from the transportation sector. Under the Act on Climate, signed into law in April 2021, the state must reduce emissions by 45 percent by 2030.

The rebate program will be administered by the Office of Energy Resources, which is working to finalize the incentive details. The agency is expected to release a draft proposal to the public at the next meeting of the Rhode Island Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council on April 7.

"Governor McKee and I are committed to combatting climate change and connecting Rhode Island families and businesses to more affordable and sustainable energy solutions, such as electric vehicles," State Energy Commissioner Nicholas Ucci said. "Cost and range anxiety are two significant barriers to electric vehicle adoption and, thanks to the Governor’s leadership, we are now addressing both. Coupled with proposed investment in our state’s charging station network, this EV rebate program will help reduce GHG emissions and other pollution-driven impacts from our transportation sector."

The OER will focus its efforts on communities who need it most, Ucci continued, such as areas with high rates of asthma.