Drive Clean Rebate
An upfront dealer discount of $500–$2,000 for New York residents, businesses and government bodies buying or leasing eligible new electric vehicles.
Drive Clean reduces the price of an eligible new electric vehicle when you buy or lease it through a participating New York dealer. The dealer deducts the full rebate upfront, then applies to NYSERDA for reimbursement on your behalf. You do not apply to NYSERDA for a direct payment.
The amount depends on the model's base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) and its EPA-rated battery-only driving range. Base MSRP is the manufacturer's starting price used by the programme, rather than your negotiated purchase price.
| Base MSRP | Battery-only range | Rebate |
|---|---|---|
| $42,000 or less | 200 miles or more | $2,000 |
| $42,000 or less | 40–199 miles | $1,000 |
| $42,000 or less | Less than 40 miles | $500 |
| More than $42,000 | Any eligible range | $500 |
These are the current programme tiers. The eligible-model list gives the rebate for each qualifying model and identifies any model-year-specific amounts.
Eligibility
The buyer or lessee must be a New York resident, a New York State government entity or municipality, or a business or fleet registered or licensed to operate in New York. The vehicle must be bought or leased from a participating new-car dealer operating in New York and registered with the state DMV.
- The vehicle must qualify under the eligible-model list. Programme rules require four wheels, the ability to reach at least 55 mph and a maximum rated loaded weight no higher than 8,500 pounds. The battery and electric drivetrain must carry the original manufacturer's full warranty.
- Vehicles generally must be new and never previously retail-sold or registered. Showroom and test-drive vehicles can qualify if never previously registered. These vehicles, along with returned or cancelled-sale vehicles, are reviewed case by case; returned or cancelled-sale vehicles must not already have received a rebate. Certain registered dealer loaners can also qualify when leaving loaner service: their original registration must be in the dealer’s name, and the manufacturer must still treat them as new for warranty or manufacturer-rebate purposes. The dealer must provide supporting records.
- If you buy, keep ownership for at least 36 months unless NYSERDA gives prior written permission to sell earlier. A lease must have an original term of at least 36 months.
- Individual buyers and lessees must keep the vehicle registered with the New York DMV at a New York address for at least 36 months. Businesses, fleets and government bodies buying or leasing must keep the vehicle based in New York for at least 36 months. NYSERDA may reclaim part of the rebate if the ownership or lease requirement is broken.
- Maintain legally required insurance and do not modify the emissions controls, engine hardware or software settings, or electric drive system. You must sign the purchaser terms; false or inaccurate information that causes the rebate to be denied can require you to reimburse the dealer.
How to apply
- Status
- Dates not announced
Choose a qualifying vehicle and a participating dealer. Check the programme's available-funding information before purchase.
At the dealership, sign the Vehicle Purchaser Terms and Conditions and provide the required New York residency or business information. Individuals normally provide a New York driver's licence; the manual allows other current proof of New York residence, such as a qualifying recent utility bill or state non-driver ID.
The dealer must show the full Drive Clean discount separately from other discounts on your purchase or lease paperwork. You receive that reduction when you buy or lease the car.
The dealer submits the rebate application online within 60 days of vehicle delivery and supplies the signed sale, registration and rebate documents. NYSERDA reimburses the dealer after approval; the customer's discount is already applied at the sale.