EV Buying Guide

Electric Vehicle Rebates & Incentives

GET $1,500 BACK WITH THE NORWOOD NU-EV REBATE

Get $1,500 back with Norwood Light’s NU-EV Rebate!
Norwood Drives Electric wants to help you get in an electric vehicle that’s right for you. For a limited time, Norwood Electric customers can claim our $1,500 NU-EV rebate when buying an all-battery or plug-in hybrid EV with at least a 7-kWh battery. This rebate will cover new and used EVs and will also apply to vehicles purchased out of state as long as they are registered in Norwood.

To claim your rebate Apply Here

Need help? contact us

GET UP TO $9,000 BACK WITH THE STATE MOR-EV REBATE

The Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) Program provides the following stackable rebates:

    • $3,500 for new or used passenger EVs
    • $7,500 for EV trucks
    • $1,500 for eligible low-income residents
    • $1,000 for gasoline passenger vehicle trade-ins
  • This program helps residents save money on the purchase or lease of a qualifying plug-in Electric Vehicle (EV).
  • At participating dealers, you can apply for the MOR-EV rebate as a “point-of-sale reduction” when you buy the vehicle. For a used EV purchase, you have the option to apply for and receive a prequalification voucher. Visit the MOR-EV website to learn more.
GET UP TO $7,500 BACK ON FEDERAL TAXES

Reduce your net cost to buy or lease an electric vehicle by as much as an additional $7,500 with the federal EV tax credit.

  • Up to $7,500 for a new EV and up to $4,000 for a used EV.

  • These tax incentives must now be registered for or taken at the point-of-sale.

  • You must purchase your new or used EV from a dealership that has also registered with the IRS. Otherwise, it will not qualify for the tax credit.

  • The dealership must submit a time-of-sale report with buyer and vehicle details to the IRS Energy Credits Online portal.

  • Make sure you receive the time-of-sale report and the IRS confirmation from the dealer.

  • For leased vehicles, the credit is taken by the leasing company and a portion of it passed on to the consumer as a lease cost reduction.
  • There are very specific eligibility requirements for each program: New Vehicles | Used Vehicles

  • Check on the status of the federal EV tax credit by manufacturer.

​​For definitive information on your federal electric vehicle tax credit eligibility, please consult with a qualified tax adviser.

Electric Car Basics

What’s the difference between a hybrid and an electric car?

A hybrid car derives some of its power from a conventional gasoline engine and some from an electric motor and battery, and all of its energy from gasoline. A hybrid’s battery is typically only recharged from regenerative braking energy when the car slows being put back into the battery, which results in better average mpg.

On the other hand, an electric car gets driving power from an electric motor, and that energy is from a battery that has been recharged from the grid or another external source. Electric cars also all use regenerative braking to increase efficiency.

There are two types of electric cars, or plug in electrified vehicles (PEVs), Battery electrics (BEVs) which run on electricity only, and plug in hybrid electrics (PHEVs) which can first run on electricity from the battery for a shorter range (often the distance of a daily commute, or more), then seamlessly switch to a full tank of gasoline if the battery gets low.

Barrier Removal: Technology

HEV

HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE

  • Does not have an external plug
  • Gains some of its driving power from a gasoline engine, and some from an electric motor and small battery pack.
  • Generates its energy through gasoline combustion. However, unlike non-hybrid vehicles, an HEV also recovers and extends some of this energy. How? By recharging the batteries through “regenerative braking”.

PHEV

PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE

  • Gets its driving power exclusively from an electric motor. That energy is generated from a larger battery pack, that has been recharged from the grid or another external source.
  • Also uses “regenerative braking” to improve overall driving efficiency.

BEV

BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLE

“Regenerative braking” is when, as the car slows, energy flows back into the battery. This energy is reused, (or “regenerated”) instead of escaping as tires grind against the road. This extends the life of your brakes and tires, and results in better average MPG.

Images courtesy of Gary Kendall, PhD.

To BEV or To PHEV? That is the question.

PHEVs therefore will always have the range you need, and can be driven and fueled just like the car you drive now. Today’s BEVs have more range than 90% of commuters and others drive daily. Some models are available in either BEV or PHEV.

Most BEVs have a range of between 114 and 315 miles depending upon model. They must be recharged when the battery gets low, and can be done slowly (typically overnight at home while you sleep) or more quickly using a public fast charging station. But mostly, they are charged conveniently at home, overnight while you sleep.

Today’s PHEVs a have a battery range between 14 and 114 miles, and then typically a full tank of gasoline range, 300-500+ miles. When operating in hybrid mode, they also get better gas mileage than comparable gasoline only vehicles.

Compare Electric Vehicles

Which electric car you’ll want depends on how many miles you typically drive per day, what types of long trips you plan to take in your vehicle, and what you’re looking to spend. Answering these three personal questions before car shopping will also lead you to the electric models that best fit your lifestyle and needs. For an interactive online guide of models, visit our “DrivE & SaVe” tool.

Our tool will help you explore your needs and find the best options for you, matching you to the right kind of electric car. Then you can select and compare cars. Once you have found the car(s) you are interested in, review our rebates and incentives section, attend an upcoming event or contact us.