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Requirements for Charge Ahead Applicants

The Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program will reopen on Aug. 25 and run through Nov. 4, 2026. Vehicles must be purchased or leased during that time. Rebates will be suspended as of Nov. 5, 2026. Any vehicles purchased or leased while the program is suspended are NOT eligible to apply for Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebates. Income-eligible applicants can apply for Charge Ahead Prequalification now, in advance of the program reopening. For more information, please see the program's press release.

To qualify for the Charge Ahead Rebate, you must: 

  • Meet the household income requirements or be a nonprofit, low-income service provider. 

  • Be an Oregon resident (with a valid ID) or a nonprofit that provides services to low-income households in Oregon. 
  • Not previously have received two (2) or more OCVRP rebates. Individuals are limited to a total of two (2) rebates.
  • Purchase or lease an eligible new or used battery electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle while the program is open. All vehicles must have a base MRSP under $50,000.
  • Purchase or lease your vehicle while the program is open. Any vehicles purchased or leased while the program is suspended are not eligible for the rebate.
  • The vehicle must be primarily used by household members and may not have been previously owned or leased by the applicant or a household member.
  • Vehicle must be purchased or leased from a certified vehicle dealer OR an original equipment manufacturer. No person-to-person sales allowed. 
  • Register the vehicle in Oregon and retain registration for at least 24 months. 
  • Individuals must provide documentation showing proof of income eligibility.  
Nonprofit organizations must: 
  • Be able to confirm they are a low-income service provider. 
  • Be a registered 501(c)3) nonprofit organization.  
  • Submit the rebate application within six months of purchase or lease date. 
  • Submit a Prequalification Application, or post-purchase or lease, apply online within six months after the purchase or lease date.
To qualify for the Charge Ahead Rebate, all rebated vehicles must be:
  • Operable and capable of traveling at a speed of 55 mph or more.
  • Not have been declared a “totaled vehicle" or have a salvage title.
  • If a battery electric vehicle, it must be able to travel 75 miles or more using only electricity.
  • If a plug-in hybrid vehicle, it must be able to travel at least 10 miles using only electricity and be within the 15-year, 150,000-mile warranty during the entire required 24 months an applicant must maintain ownership and an Oregon registration.

Frequently asked questions about the Charge Ahead Rebate


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At the time of purchase or lease: 

When purchasing a new eligible vehicle, those living in Oregon can apply for the Charge Ahead Rebate at the time of purchase or lease, at a Participating Dealership, called “point of sale." Only Participating Dealerships may offer the rebate at point of sale. You can find locations on the Participating Electric Vehicle Dealers web page. 

For the Charge Ahead Rebate to be applied at the time of purchase or lease, applicants must first apply for and be issued a Charge Ahead Prequalification Voucher. Applicants can submit an application to be prequalified by visiting the application web page and completing the form to verify their income meets the eligibility requirements.  

If you purchase or lease your vehicle through a Participating Dealer and have a Charge Ahead Prequalification Voucher, the dealership can complete and submit the application on your behalf. Then, the rebate amount will be deducted from the purchase or lease price. Without a Charge Ahead Prequalification Voucher, applicants must apply for the rebate within six months after the date of purchase or lease. 

NOTE: The prequalification application is only to prequalify for the Charge Ahead Rebate. It does not pay the rebate. You must take the Charge Ahead Voucher to a participating dealership, or if you do not use a participating dealership, you may use the voucher when you submit your rebate application within six months after the purchase or lease of the vehicle.

Remember: You must submit the voucher with your rebate application within six months after the purchase or lease of the vehicle, if not purchasing or leasing from a participating dealership. 

After the purchase or lease: 

If you do not purchase or lease your car from a participating dealership using a Prequalification Voucher, then start the Charge Ahead Rebate process by creating a program account through the online portal. Your account will display a program dashboard, and you may begin a Charge Ahead Rebate application. During the process, you will need to upload the following documents to complete your application:  

  • Proof of Oregon residency (e.g., Oregon driver's license)  

  • Entire purchase/lease agreement  

  • Proof of vehicle registration (Temporary or permanent registration is acceptable)  

  • Household Summary Form*  

  • Proof of Income: 4506-C Form* for each household resident or proof of enrollment in a public assistance program. The Charge Ahead Prequalification Voucher number may be used if you've already pre-qualified. 

  • Attestation Form**

*Household Summary and IRS 4506-C Forms are available for download during the online application process.  

** The Attestation Form is available for download during the online application process. It certifies the applicant is following program requirements and providing accurate information. It also confirms an organization is a low-income service provider. ​

The income documentation required will depend on the method of verification. 

For Charge Ahead Prequalification (for purchase or lease of new or used eligible vehicles at a participating dealer), applicants will need to provide one of the following: 

  • Proof of current enrollment in an income-qualified program (see list below); or 

  • Information from filed and accepted Oregon state tax returns from one of the last two years. 

For Charge Ahead applications submitted post purchase or lease, The Center for Sustainable Energy, our third-party administrator, will provide links to the documents required during the online application process. This will include the following: 

  • Household summary form 

  • Income verification documents: 

    • IRS Form 4506-T; or 

    • Proof of current enrollment in an approved Public Assistance Program (See list below) 

Approved income-qualified programs include: 

  • Oregon Health Plan/Medicaid 

  • SNAP: EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) Card 

  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) 

  • Free and Reduced-Price Lunch 

  • LIHEAP (Home Energy Assistance) 

  • Employment-Related Daycare 

  • Woman Infants and Children (WIC) ​​

Visit the Income Eligibility web page where you can reference the table providing the maximum household income for your household size.  ​​​

​No. Applicants may only apply for one rebate, either the Charge Ahead Rebate or the Standard Rebate. If a Charge Ahead applicant is purchasing or leasing a new vehicle, they may apply for the $7,500 Charge Ahead Rebate for new BEVs or the $5,000 Charge Ahead Rebate for new PHEVs.

Contacts

For questions on applying for the Charge Ahead Rebate, please contact the Center for Sustainable Energy at oregoncvrp@energycenter.org, or 855–383-4425.