Governor Announces Equitable Expansion of Electric Vehicle Rebate Program

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BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced substantial changes to the Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles Program (MOR-EV Program), which provides rebates for the purchase or lease of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles (EVs). 
 
These changes aim to support greater adoption of EVs in Massachusetts, including new rebate programs for income-qualifying Massachusetts residents.
 
"This significant expansion of the MOR-EV Program will make electric vehicles more affordable and accessible for residents of all income levels," said Governor Maura Healey. "Residents will now be able to get their rebates the day they buy their car, instead of waiting for the funds to come in. And income-eligible folks will now be able to get additional rebates, including for used vehicles. This is a great development in our efforts toward an equitable clean energy transition."
 
In addition to the existing $3,500 rebates for EVs, the new MOR-EV program elements include:
 
The launch of rebates at the point-of-sale with participating dealers;
$3500 rebate for used EVs for income-qualifying residents;
$1,500 rebate adder for income-qualifying residents called MOR-EV+ that is in addition to the standard rebate for new or used electric vehicles; and
Increased rebates for certain light-duty pickup trucks.
 
The MOR-EV+ and MOR-EV Used rebates are retroactive to November 10, 2022 for any income-qualifying residents who purchased new or used EVs on or after that date.
 
"Reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector is critical to meeting our climate goals, and we are excited that our expanded MOR-EV program will provide greater access to electric vehicles for more Massachusetts drivers," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "MOR-EV is forward-looking and brings Massachusetts one step closer to phasing out expensive, volatile fossil fuels and transportation pollution that disproportionately impacts environmental justice communities." 
 
Through the MOR-EV program administrator, the Center for Sustainable Energy, the Commonwealth has initiated a culturally competent outreach program to more effectively reach Environmental Justice communities, income-qualifying residents, and limited English proficiency residents with targeted information about available electric vehicle rebates. The MOR-EV website includes translation capabilities, with the option to translate into Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese and Chinese.
 
Launched in 2014, the Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) program is an education and rebate program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and administered by the Center for Sustainable Energy. The program aims to increase the number of zero emissions vehicles on roadways and reduce Massachusetts transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions. As of July 1, 2023, MOR-EV rebates are for battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles only.
 
Since June 2014, the MOR-EV Program has issued nearly $72 million in rebates for passenger vehicles, incentivizing the purchase of more than 32,000 electric vehicles as of the end of June 2023.
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Multiple Departments Respond to Lanesborough Structure Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire off Narragansett Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Fire Department received a call from the owner of 6 Bangor St. reporting a smoke and flames at around 1:44 p.m.

Firefighters arriving on scene reported heavy smoke emanating from the the 1940s single-family ranch home in the thickly settle neighborhood.

The blaze was brought under control in less than an hour and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. 

"The homeowner was outside doing some work, evidently, opened the door when she came back in the house, and there were flames and smoke, so she backed out and called us, and that's all we know right now," Deputy Fire Chief Glen Storie said around 2:35 p.m. 

The fire was out at that time, and first responders observed "quite a bit of damage" to the home. The cause is still under investigation. 

Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Pittsfield departments responded to the scene, and Hancock covered the station during the call. 

"The first crew in knocked the fire right down with the first engine," Storie said. 

Smoke could be seen coming from the back of the home. Part of Narragansett Avenue and Bangor Avenue were blocked off while firefighters battled the blaze. 

 

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