CHEAPR raised its standard rebate to $1,500 on October 15. Income-qualified buyers can stack more on a new EV, or claim $5,000 on a used one.
Only the $1,500 standard rebate (and $500 for a plug-in hybrid) is open to every Connecticut buyer. The $4,500 new-EV total and the $5,000 used-EV rebate are Rebate+, which requires income under 300% of the federal poverty level, a qualifying assistance program, or residence in an environmental justice community or distressed municipality.
The new amounts apply to vehicles purchased or leased on or after October 15, 2026. We could not find a published remaining-funds figure, so confirm the money is there before you count on it.
Realistic best case today: an income-qualified buyer who gets a voucher first and buys a new battery-electric car under $50,000 can receive $4,500, plus up to $1,500 toward a home charger. A buyer who does not qualify on income gets $1,500.
CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate) is run by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The schedule below applies to purchases and leases on or after October 15, 2026.
| Vehicle | Standard | With Rebate+ |
|---|---|---|
| Battery-electric or fuel-cell | $1,500 | $4,500 (adds $3,000) |
| Plug-in hybrid | $500 | $2,000 (adds $1,500) |
| Vehicle | Rebate+ Used |
|---|---|
| Battery-electric or fuel-cell | $5,000 |
| Plug-in hybrid | $3,000 |
You need to meet any one of these:
Charger money is separate from the vehicle rebate. With the federal charger credit gone, the utility programs are the main help with home charging, and they became more restricted in 2026.
Municipal and co-operative utilities, such as Norwich Public Utilities, may run their own EV programs. We have not verified them, so check your own utility's residential EV page before you buy a charger.
Connecticut does not appear to add an EV-specific charge at registration, and it does not exempt EVs from vehicle sales tax.
| Item | What the DMV lists |
|---|---|
| Passenger vehicle registration | $120, with no separate EV or plug-in hybrid surcharge on the fee page |
| Vehicle sales tax | 6.35% |
| Vehicle sales tax when total cost is over $50,000 | 7.75% for passenger vehicles |
| EV sales tax exemption | None listed |
Two different $50,000 lines apply: CHEAPR requires a base MSRP under $50,000, while the higher 7.75% tax rate applies when the vehicle's total cost is over $50,000.
The federal EV tax credits expired September 30, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — the $7,500 new EV credit (30D), the $4,000 used EV credit (25E) and the commercial credit (45W). The 30C home charger credit followed on June 30, 2026.
If you signed a binding written contract and made a qualifying payment on or before September 30, 2025, you may still claim the vehicle credit on your 2025 return using IRS Form 8936, provided the dealer filed a time-of-sale report. Chargers placed in service on or before June 30, 2026 can still be claimed on Form 8911.
One deduction does survive: the OBBBA auto loan interest deduction allows up to $10,000 a year of interest on qualifying new vehicle loans through 2028, for American-made vehicles bought with financing. It shrinks by $200 for every $1,000 of income above $100,000 ($200,000 joint), and cash buyers do not qualify.
Check which CHEAPR tier you qualify for, then run the numbers with the rebate you can actually count on.
Last Updated: October 24, 2026 | Sources: Connecticut DEEP (CHEAPR), Connecticut DMV, Eversource and United Illuminating
Incentive data compiled from official sources. Programs change frequently — always verify before purchasing. Verify with official sources before purchasing.