Washington EV Instant Rebate Program

Helping low-income residents lease or purchase electric vehicles

Rear quarter panel of an electric vehicle with charging plug visible. Up angle shows evergreen trees with dappled sunlight streaming through branches.

EV Instant Rebates

The Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) will launch the state’s new Washington EV Instant Rebates Program this August, with funding through June 2025 (or until all funds are used) and provide between 6,500 and 8,000 rebates.

The program will be focused on supporting low-income residents, and provide between $2,500 and $9,000 off at the time of purchase or lease.

Updates for this program will be posted here as they become available as we get closer to the program launch date.

Rebate Amounts

New EVs

  • Purchase or 2-year lease: $5,000
  • 3+year lease: $9,000

Used EVs

  • Purchase or 2-year lease: $2,500
  • 3+year lease: $2,500

Eligibility

Customer eligibility

WA residents making 300% or below of the federal poverty level in household income, equivalent to $93,600 a year for a family of four. You can review the 2024 Federal Poverty Level for your household size here on the Department of Health and Human Services website. “Income” above refers to “modified adjusted gross income” (MAGI). For most people, it’s the same or very similar to “adjusted gross income” (AGI). 

Vehicle eligibility

Full battery electric vehicles with Manufacturer Supply Retail Price of $90,000 or less. Vehicles must be 8,500 lbs. and under. Motorcycles, scooters and low-medium/speed vehicles (i.e. golf carts) are not eligible. Plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles are not eligible. 

Seller eligibility

Automakers that sell eligible vehicles directly to consumers, franchise car dealers, and used car dealers with two or more locations in WA or that sell only EVs.

First low-cost EV lease program in the U.S.

Commerce is the first state to prioritize low-cost leases as part of an EV incentive program. While most EV models are not currently eligible for federal credits when purchased, all EV models are eligible if leased. To make new EVs affordable for all, Washington residents can use the federal credit to make leasing an EV as low as under $100 a month, with at least six models available for less than $150 a month.

Example lease terms with incentives*

Estimated monthly cost using rebate as down payment by vehicle make and model:

  • Toyota bZ4X – $56
  • Hyundai Kona – $78
  • Nissan Leaf – $87
  • Hyundai Ioniq 6 – $93
  • Subaru Solterra – $123
  • Kia Niro Wind – $135

* Per month costs are estimates calculated by Commerce based on nationally advertised automaker deals in April 2024 and should not be considered guaranteed prices when the program opens. Includes estimated fees based on public information

How it Works

Commerce is in the process of finalizing a contract with Energy Solutions, an experienced clean energy rebate program administrator, to run the program.

  • The program will reimburse automakers and dealers who provide point-of-sale (POS) rebates to eligible residents leasing or purchasing an EV.
  • POS rebates provide an easy-to-access discount at the same time as a purchase or lease agreement, and require no advance or post-purchase application.
  • The program will provide EV and charging education through a variety of customer outreach and engagement activities, including ride-and-drive events proven to increase awareness.
  • Program outreach will prioritize eligible residents living in communities that face worse health impacts from vehicle pollution, and workers who drive more than 19,000 miles a year for work.

Program Design Report

Download the Program Design Report

Common Questions

How do I sign up?
You do not need to sign up for this program. This program will open later this summer in August of 2024, and will be available to access at participating dealerships for eligible participants.

If I purchased an EV before this program opens can I get this rebate to count retroactively?

Unfortunately we are not able to retroactively provide a rebate for an EV purchased before this program is officially open. You can review other potential rebates or incentives at the Alternative Fuels Data Center or the Commerce website under Clean Transportation Updates, as well as looking into your local utility provider for potential charging infrastructure incentive programs.

Are funds stackable with other incentives?
Yes! A consumer can combine the rebate for this program with both the federal tax credit, state sales tax exemption, and other automaker rebates offered through the dealers if available.

What credit score do I need to qualify for?
You do not need a specific credit score to qualify for this program, but your credit score will determine the specific lease and purchase terms offered to you. The example terms we provided were based on a good credit score, and using publicly advertised automaker deals in April 2024, and shouldn’t be considered guaranteed prices when the program opens. 

Contact

Emma Wyma, Clean Transportation Policy Engagement Specialist
Email: CleanTransportation@Commerce.wa.gov