How to Apply for The Orange and Rockland EV Rebate

How to Apply for The Orange and Rockland EV Rebate

In this blog post, you’ll learn how to apply for The Orange and Rockland EV Rebate.

Electric vehicles, or EVs, are becoming an increasingly common sight on New Jersey roads, reflecting a considerable shift in the automobile industry. This transition from traditional internal combustion engines to EVs brings a plethora of benefits, and it’s more than just saving on gas.
EVs offer a cleaner, more efficient transportation, ultimately reducing carbon emissions and thus contributing to environmental sustainability efforts. They substantially reduce maintenance costs, as electric vehicles have fewer moving parts than conventional cars. In other words, there’s a reduced need for routine services, i.e., oil changes.
For New Jersey residents, the advantages don’t stop there. Orange and Rockland, a local utility company, offers a rebate program for EV owners, further incentivizing the switch to electric vehicles. This rebate is a meaningful financial benefit, making EV ownership in New Jersey an environmentally conscious and financially savvy decision.

A Multitude of Perks For EV Owners

The switch to an EV brings more than a couple of benefits; we’re not merely talking about less servicing and zero emissions. You’re looking at multiple incentives and rebates from the federal, state, and local levels. So, let’s talk about these perks from the top.

EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)

Commonly referred to as charging stations, electric vehicle supply equipment is an integral component of an electric vehicle. The charge points provide electricity from the local grid to power up EVs. It’s possible to purchase EVSE on your own, but Orange and Rockland also offer a rebate program for those purchasing charging stations through them. The rebate amount is based on the type of system you choose and can get as high as $ 1,000.
Meanwhile, the Department of Environmental Protection’s It Pay$ to Plug In program hands out reimbursement grants designed to cover the cost of installing EVSE in selected places, i.e., government facilities, schools, parking areas, workplaces, and multi-unit dwellings. However, this program is instituted on a first-come, first-served basis due to the limited funding.

Orange and Rockland EV Rebate

Orange and Rockland’s rebates for EVs are based on the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ “Charge Up New Jersey” program. Residents are entitled to a rebate that covers $25 per mile for all electric vehicles. Those cars with an MSRP of less than $45000 are eligible to get $ 4,000 in rebates, while cars with an MSRP between $45000 and $55000 may qualify for up to $ 2,000 in rebates.
Here are the details on how to apply for this rebate:

How Can You Qualify for the Orange and Rockland EV Rebate?

The first step is ensuring you meet all the criteria to be eligible for the Orange and Rockland EV rebate. To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

You must be a resident of New Jersey at the time of the vehicle purchase or lease.
You must remain a state resident for at least two years after the purchase or lease of the vehicle.
You agree that the entire transaction in the purchase or lease of the vehicle must occur on or after the program’s effectivity, dated 12th July 2023. Any vehicle purchased or leased out of the state is ineligible for the incentive.
You promise not to modify the vehicle’s hardware, emissions control systems, software calibrations, and hybrid systems.
These are just some of the basic qualifications. You can visit here for a full list.

Getting Your EV Rebate

Once you’re sure you meet all the criteria for eligibility, it’s time to submit your application. Follow these steps:

Step 1 – Choose an eligible vehicle.

Carefully consider the type of electric vehicle you wish to procure. Your choice should align with your commuting needs, budget, and personal preferences. You may want to explore different brands and models, assessing their electric range, charging times, and available features.

After identifying your preferred vehicle, verifying whether it qualifies under the program’s eligibility requirements is crucial. This typically involves checking the vehicle’s make, model, and year against the list of eligible vehicles provided by the “Charge Up New Jersey” program. Check the program’s official website or directly contact them for up-to-date information on qualifying vehicles.

Step 2 – Choose a dealer.

Selecting a dealer is a pivotal part of this process, and know that not all dealers are authorized participants in the “Charge Up New Jersey” program. Your chosen dealer must be an approved program participant for you to qualify for the Orange and Rockland EV rebate.
Never assume that just because a dealer sells eligible electric vehicles, they’re automatically part of the program. Always verify the dealer’s participation before proceeding with the purchase or lease. You have the responsibility to ensure you’re working with an eligible dealer. To check a dealer’s participation status, refer to the list of participating dealers provided by the “Charge Up New Jersey” program.

Step 3 – Submit your application via the dealer.

The role of the dealer is instrumental when it comes to claiming the Orange and Rockland EV rebate. After choosing an eligible vehicle and a participating dealer, the next step is the actual application for the rebate, handled through the dealer. The dealer’s role in this process is to submit your application on your behalf. They will collect all the necessary information, fill out the application, and submit it to the “Charge Up New Jersey” program.

One notable perk of this process is that the incentive is applied directly at the point of sale (POS). This method is likewise known as the “dealer upfront.” It means the incentive is deducted from the vehicle’s cost. As such, there’s no more waiting for a reimbursement or a check in the mail. Applying the incentive directly to the purchase or lease cost will reduce initial out-of-pocket costs. Therefore, you’re essentially switching to an electric vehicle with less money than expected. This dealer upfront system epitomizes how the ideal rebate process should be done.

Anyway, the dealer’s role doesn’t end with submitting the application. They also serve as your primary point of contact for any queries or issues relating to the application process. The dealer liaises with the “Charge Up New Jersey” program, providing updates on your application status and addressing any concerns that may arise. So, your dealer choice bears so much weight in the entire process.