Why Drive Electric?
Plug-in Electric vehicles (PEVs) offer significant environmental benefits and help EV owners save money on fuel. There are also several incentives available to aid in the purchase of a plug-in electric vehicle.
Environmental Benefits
According to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP), PEVs decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Even when PEVs are charged with electricity generated from fossil fuels, less greenhouse gases are emitted than a conventional gasoline-fueled vehicle. Because the Northeast power grid is more reliant on natural gas and renewable energy, electricity generated in this area is among the cleanest in the country.
Fuel Savings
Over the lifetime of a PEV, an owner can save thousands of dollars in fuel costs. A good way to quantify these potential savings is to compare the cost of a gallon of gasoline to the cost of an electronic gallon (eGallon). According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), an eGallon is the cost of fueling a vehicle with electricity compared to a similar vehicle that runs on gas. Based on RMLD’s residential electric rates, RMLD customers would pay between $0.95 and $1.17 per eGallon, as compared with the average Massachusetts gas price of $2.09/gallon (as of 11/30/20). This equates to a savings of between $500 and $1,000 a year (depending on vehicle type, make, model, and annual mileage). Check out the chart below to see other eGallon equivalents:
Rate | Price per kWh | Equivalent Price per eGallon |
|---|---|---|
| RMLD Residential Time-of-Use Rate | $0.13 | $0.95 |
| RMLD Standard Residential Rate | $0.16 | $1.17 |
| Average residential rate of privately owned electric utilities in MA | $0.23 | $1.68 |
Check out the DOE’s Alternative Fuels Data Center Vehicle Cost Calculator to compare costs by make and model and see what you can save.
Federal/State/Other Incentives
Federal Tax Credit = $2,500 - $7,500 (depending on capacity of battery).
MOR-EV State Rebate = Effective January 1, 2020, the program provides a $2,500 rebate to eligible BEVs with a purchase price below $50,000 and a $1,500 rebate to eligible PHEVs with an all-electric range of 25 miles or greater and a purchase price below $50,000.
Green Energy Consumers Alliance Drive Green Program = amount varies widely by dealership and type of vehicle.
RMLD Rebates
CLICK HERE for the latest on RMLD's electric vehicle charging station rebates.