The Federal Tax Credit, MA State Rebate, and Drive Green Dealer Discounts Can Lower the Purchase Price of an Electric Vehicle 

The town of Wellesley is striving to achieve a 50 percent, community-wide reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. Transportation currently accounts for 43 percent of Wellesley’s greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicles (EVs) are an important part of Wellesley’s emissions reduction strategy along with increased biking, walking, and use of public transit. For those considering buying a new EV, current federal tax credit, state rebate, and Green Energy Consumer Alliance Drive Green programs offer significant savings.

The Drive Green program, for example, offers negotiated dealer discounts on EVs from a range of makers, including Chevrolet, Mitsubishi, and Nissan, making it easy to compare prices and find a dealership with knowledgeable sales staff. Special offers on pre-owned EV and hybrid vehicles are also available. Tesla EVs are not part of the Drive Green program.

“Transportation, along with buildings, is a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Wellesley,” said Dr. Marybeth Martello, Wellesley’s Sustainability Director. “Every one of us can help combat climate change by replacing older, gas-powered vehicles with EVs. EV purchase incentives make it more cost-effective for each of us to do our part.”

As one example, a new Hyundai Kona Electric, an EV with a battery range of 258 miles, is now available for just $24,497. Normally retailing for $38,575, this EV is available now for $14,078 less, thanks to a Green Energy Consumer Alliance Drive Green discount, a federal tax credit, and the state of Massachusetts MOR-EV rebate:

$38,575 Retail price
($4,078) Drive green dealer discount
($2,500) MA state rebate
($7,500) Federal tax credit
$24,497 Final effective price

To learn about the Green Energy Consumer Alliance, click here. 

To learn more about Wellesley’s Climate Action Plan, click here. To comment or ask a question, email climateaction@wellesleyma.gov. 

There are electric car charging stations everywhere you want to go this summer.

Its possible to relax at the beach, enjoy parks, visit family and friends all without using a drop of fuel!

Thinking of buying an electric vehicle? Use Plugshare or ChargePoint to find convenient places to charge your car.

We would love to hear about your recent EV purchase and your experiences. Please share them at info@sustainablewellesley.com.

Know that driving less and driving electric are impactful ways you can help Wellesley, Mass., and the federal government reach greenhouse gas reduction goals and build resiliency.

This month you can get up to $8,500 off of the Nissan LEAF Plus (220 mile range) through the Green Energy Consumer Alliance’s Drive Green discount program. Add in the $7,500 federal tax credit and the $2500 Massachusetts state tax credit too!

This is one example, but there are many options to choose from. Learn which electric car model best fit your lifestyle and needs. Consider what works better for you depending on the miles typically driven per day, types of long trips you plan to take in your vehicle, and how much passenger and cargo space you need.

Get more information how EV's work, which type of EV is right for you, and the how you can save money by making the switch to electric by clicking here or here.

If you missed the Sustainable Wellesley/Wellesley Books discussion with author Paul Greenberg about his inspiring, accessible book, the Climate Diet last week, you can watch it here.

What a treat for our group to hear directly from the author! "Naked food" and "shipped vs. flown" were just a few of the inspirational stories he shared on ways we can address our own household carbon footprints. As Paul says, "everyone can and should do something," and this book offers a wide array of things you can do.

He calls this book a "peace offering," for adults and teens/millennials that shares ideas that are not only good for the planet, but good for your health and wallet too.

Take some time to read The Climate Diet this summer. Its short, informative and available at the library and the local book store! Then share the book; we all have something to learn.

New,  Updated Gas Leaks Map shows Wellesley still has 250 unrepaired pipeline leaks, emitting a whooping 91 MT of methane (natural gas).  

This puts Wellesley in the state’s top 11 emitters of methane, with the other 10 being much larger cities & towns:  Worcester, Weymouth, Quincy, Newton, Medford, Lynn, Dorchester, Brookline, Arlington and Boston.

Methane has more than 80 times the climate warming power of carbon dioxide during the first 20 years after it reaches the atmosphere.

Leaky, corroded pipes run all over under our town and the entire state.  The estimated cost to repair all if these pipes is enormous, at the ratepayers’ expense.   Despite the fact that 70 pipe lines have been repaired in Wellesley so far, it seems even more leaks have sprung anew.

It’s time to stop using “natural “ gas for our heating and cooking. 
Gas is unhealthy, dangerous, costly (we are paying for all those leaks!), and bad for the environment.

Consider going electric! Email us to learn more!

Give input on Wellesley's Sustainable Mobility Plan (SMP).

As part of the SMP, the Town has launched a series of short surveys to gather more information on a range of mobility topics. Each survey takes five minutes or less to complete. Please respond to as many or few that apply to your travel and spread the word to friends and family.
The most recent survey asks about school travel and is designed for either students or parents. Your input is important as we seek ways to make low impact travel modes (walking, biking, buses) safer and more attractive.

In addition to the school survey, we encourage you to take any previous surveys that apply to how you travel, get deliveries, and plan for future travel. 

The first five of 10 surveys are available at this link under the “Wellesley Wheelhouse” Tab. So far the topics focus on:

Survey 1- Work from Home trends
Survey 2 - Biking and E-bicycles
Survey 3 - Use of Ridehailing Services (e.g. Uber and Lyft)
Survey 4 - Use of E-commerce
Survey 5 - School Travel

In the future watch for surveys on autonomous vehicles, bikability, use of food delivery services, microtransit, and electric vehicles. 
​
If you have questions, please email smp@wellesleyma.gov. Thank you for your help with this community project!

​