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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Former Adams Police Chief Facing Fraud Charges

Staff Reports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The former chief of police in Adams was indicted Tuesday on fraud charges by a Berkshire County grand jury. He is accused of taking nearly $20,000 in overtime funds he didn't earn.
 
Kevin Scott Kelley, aka K. Scott Kelley, 46, was relieved of duty in September and placed on a paid leave of absence until December. Adams town officials declined to say if he was fired or resigned at that time. 
 
He is accused of submitting fraudulent reimbursement claims under a municipal traffic enforcement grant administered by the Office of Grants and Research in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, according to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. 
 
The alleged conduct began in or about January 2024 and continued through at least January 2025 and was reported by officers under Kelley's command.
 
The members of the Adams Police Department identified discrepancies in the reimbursement submissions and gathered evidence indicative of fraudulent activity. They subsequently requested assistance from the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit and the DA's Office. 
 
Based on the materials initially collected by Adams Police, State Police conducted a formal investigation, which concluded that the defendant submitted and received $19,123.15 in overtime compensation for dates on which he either absent from work or performed duties not consistent with the requirements of the grant program.
 
Kelley was sworn in on January 2021 to replace the retired Chief Richard Tarsa. He came with more than 25 years experience in law enforcement, most recently as police chief for Spartanburg (S.C.) Community College.
 
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