Tax incentives and/or other incentives for drivers of electric vehicles in Somerville.
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources’ Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) Program offers residents, non-profits, and businesses rebates of up to $3,500 for the purchase or lease of eligible new ZEVs. Eligible non-profit and business fleet vehicles may include rental cars, company cars, and light-duty delivery vehicles. An additional $1,500 rebate is available to applicants participating in an eligible income-qualified state assistance program. Applicants must apply within three months of the vehicle purchase or lease date and must retain ownership of the vehicle for a minimum of 36 months. For more information, including application and eligibility requirements, see the MOR-EV website.
The Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) provides grants for the purchase or lease of qualified EVs and zero emission motorcycles. Eligible applicants include local governments, public universities and colleges, and state agencies. Vehicle incentives are available in the following amounts:
| Vehicle Type | Incentive for Purchase | Incentive for Lease |
|---|---|---|
| All-electric vehicle (EV) | Up to $7,500 | Up to $5,000 |
| Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) | Up to $5,000 | Up to $3,000 |
| Zero emission motorcycle | Up to $750 | N/A |
Applicants may receive funding for a maximum of 25 vehicles, including EVs, PHEVs, and zero emission motorcycles.
Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. For more information, including funding availability, application, and eligibility requirements, see the Apply for MassEVIP Fleet Incentives website.
Vehicles powered exclusively by electricity are exempt from state motor vehicle emissions inspections. For more information, see the Massachusetts Vehicle Check website.
(Reference Code of Massachusetts Regulations 310-60.02)
Any motor vehicle equipped with qualified idle reduction technology may exceed the state gross, axle, tandem, or bridge weight limits by up to 400 pounds to account for the weight of the technology. The idle reduction technology must be able to provide electrical service, heating, or cooling to the vehicle. The additional weight may not exceed the actual weight of the idle reduction unit. The vehicle operator must also be able to prove the weight of the idle reduction technology and demonstrate that the technology is fully functional.
(Reference Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 19A)
Owners and operators of public EV chargers that require payment must provide payment options that allow access by the public. In addition, payment should not require users to pay a subscription fee or obtain a membership of any kind; however, required fees may be conditional on such memberships. Owners and operators can impose reasonable restrictions on EV charger use, such as limiting access to visitors of the business. In addition, owners and operators of public EV chargers must provide the location, hours of operation, accepted methods of payment, and characteristics of each EV charger to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center.
(Reference Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 25A, Section 16B-16E)
A city or town may restrict certain parking areas for ZEVs, which includes battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles. A person who is found responsible for a violation of the restricted parking area may be subject to a penalty of no more than $50 and the vehicle may be removed from the parking spot.
(Reference Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, Section 22A)
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs must facilitate an intergovernmental coordinating council (Council) to develop and implement an EV charging infrastructure deployment plan for the creation of an equitable, interconnected, accessible, and reliable EV charging network. The deployment plan must:
The deployment plan must also assess:
The Council must publish the deployment plan by August 11, 2023, and revise the plan biannually.
(Reference Session Law Chapter 179, Section 81, 2022)
Associations in the City of Cambridge may not prohibit the installation or use of an EV charger in a homeowner’s designated parking space. Associations may put reasonable restrictions on EV chargers, but the policies may not significantly increase the cost of the EV charger or prohibit installation. Homeowners must comply with applicable health and safety codes and architectural standards and engage a licensed installation contractor. The homeowner is responsible for the cost of the installation, operation, maintenance, repair, removal, or replacement of the charger, as well as any resulting damage to the EV charger or surrounding area.
(Reference Session Law Chapter 329, 2022)
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources’ Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) Program offers low-income residents a rebate of up to $3,500 for the purchase or lease of eligible pre-owned ZEVs. Pre-owned vehicle purchase price must be below $40,000. An additional $1,500 rebate is available to applicants participating in an eligible income-qualified state assistance program. For more information, including application, income, and eligibility requirements, see the MOR-EV website.
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources’ Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) Program offers residents, nonprofits, local and state government fleets, educational institutions, and businesses rebates of up to $7,500 toward either:
Eligible vehicles must have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of less than $80,000. For more information, see the MOR-EV Pick-Ups and Class 2b Vehicles website.
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