Looks like the Oregon Supreme Court has helped the state's $2500 EV rebate clear the final hurdle to actually start issuing rebates- bring on the rebate checks!
If you've purchased an EV in Oregon on or after January 1, 2018 be sure to go fill out the Phase 1 application at State of Oregon: AQ Programs - Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Application Process within 6 months of purchase to ensure you're eligible for the rebate.
The full details on the program are at State of Oregon: AQ Programs - Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program - start mashing F5 for official updates NOW!
A little background: last year's omnibus transportation bill included a 0.5% "vehicle privilege tax" on all new vehicles sold in the state starting January 1, part of the proceeds from which were planned to fund an EV rebate program. AAA of Oregon/Idaho and some other groups sued to try and block the collection of the tax, claiming that it violated a clause in the Oregon constitution (Article IX, Section 3a if you care) that says taxes related to vehicles may only be used to fund road improvements. The vehicle privilege tax definition was very carefully written to avoid this, but the lawsuit was brought anyway, which blocked the distribution of the funds collected by the new tax until it was resolved. A few rounds in the courts, and the final appeal was argued before the supreme court in March, which just issued the final ruling in favor of the state today.
If you've purchased an EV in Oregon on or after January 1, 2018 be sure to go fill out the Phase 1 application at State of Oregon: AQ Programs - Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Application Process within 6 months of purchase to ensure you're eligible for the rebate.
The full details on the program are at State of Oregon: AQ Programs - Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program - start mashing F5 for official updates NOW!
A little background: last year's omnibus transportation bill included a 0.5% "vehicle privilege tax" on all new vehicles sold in the state starting January 1, part of the proceeds from which were planned to fund an EV rebate program. AAA of Oregon/Idaho and some other groups sued to try and block the collection of the tax, claiming that it violated a clause in the Oregon constitution (Article IX, Section 3a if you care) that says taxes related to vehicles may only be used to fund road improvements. The vehicle privilege tax definition was very carefully written to avoid this, but the lawsuit was brought anyway, which blocked the distribution of the funds collected by the new tax until it was resolved. A few rounds in the courts, and the final appeal was argued before the supreme court in March, which just issued the final ruling in favor of the state today.
