Exchange program make EV ownership more affordable for low-income Colorado residents » Yale Climate Connections

A Colorado program is helping more low-income residents afford EVs.

Atiyeh: “We don’t want price to be a barrier to any Coloradan being able to enjoy the benefits of an electric vehicle.”

Carrie Atiyeh is with the Colorado Energy Office. Her team has rolled out the Vehicle Exchange Colorado program. It offers instant rebates of $6,000 for a new EV or $4,000 for a used one to residents who turn in an old gas or diesel-powered vehicle to be recycled.

To qualify, participants can earn no more than 80% of the area median income. The vehicle must be drivable and at least 12 years old or have failed a Colorado emissions test.

Atiyeh: “We really want to make sure that we are taking those older, high-emitting vehicles off of our Colorado roads that are having a disproportionate impact on our air quality.”

Since the program launched last summer, 450 rebates have been redeemed.

Atiyeh: “So that is 450 old and high-emitting vehicles that were on our roads are no longer driving around in Colorado — and 450 new and used electric vehicles that are being driven by income-qualified Coloradans.”

Reporting credit: Shannon Young / ChavoBart Digital Media

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