New York EV Incentives Quick Summary
State Rebate: Up to $2,000 Drive Clean rebate at point of sale
Federal Credit: Expired — the $7,500 credit ended September 30, 2025
Utility Programs: ConEd SmartCharge (~$400/year), time-of-use rates as low as $0.02/kWh
Special Benefits: Emissions inspection exemption. Clean Pass HOV access on the Long Island Expressway ended 9/30/25.
Total Possible Savings: Up to $2,400 in the first year ($2,000 Drive Clean + roughly $400 of ConEd SmartCharge credits)
New York Drive Clean Rebate Program
Latest Update (April 2025): New York State added $30 million in additional funding to the Drive Clean Rebate program, ensuring continued availability of rebates through 2025.
The Drive Clean Rebate offers electric vehicle (EV) buyers up to $2,000 off the purchase or lease of 60+ new EV models. The rebate is applied as a point-of-sale discount at participating dealerships.
Rebate Amounts Based on Range
| Vehicle Specifications | Rebate Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| EVs with range under 40 miles OR MSRP over $42,000 | $500 | Minimum rebate for qualifying vehicles |
| EVs with range 40-199 miles | $1,000 | Mid-range electric vehicles |
| EVs with range 200+ miles | $2,000 | Long-range electric vehicles (maximum rebate) |
How to Get the Drive Clean Rebate
- Find participating dealer: Participating car dealerships are responsible for applying for the point-of-sale rebate on behalf of the customer
- Choose eligible vehicle: More than 60 car models qualify for the Drive Clean Rebate
- Complete purchase/lease: A discount of up to $2,000 will be applied when you pay
- Register in NY: Vehicle must be registered in New York State
Program Success: The Drive Clean Rebate program has issued over 190,000 rebates to consumers since 2017, contributing to more than 280,000 EVs on the road in New York State.
Federal EV Tax Credit (Ending Soon!)
Expired: The federal EV tax credit ended September 30, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Vehicles delivered after that date are not eligible. Buyers with a binding written contract and a qualifying payment on or before September 30, 2025 may still claim it on their 2025 return (IRS Form 8936).
New EV Federal Tax Credit (Expired)
No longer available
Was worth up to $7,500 on new EVs meeting battery assembly and critical mineral requirements. Ended for vehicles delivered after September 30, 2025.
- Claimable only on a 2025 return, if you qualified in time
- Required a binding contract and payment by Sept 30, 2025
- Dealer must have filed a time-of-sale report with the IRS
- Claim on IRS Form 8936
Used EV Federal Tax Credit
Up to $4,000
Available for qualifying used electric vehicles through registered dealers.
- Lower income limits than new EV credit
- Vehicle must be at least 2 years old
- Price cap: $25,000 maximum
- Point-of-sale discount available
Stacking Incentives: The IRA federal tax credit that used to stack with the Drive Clean Rebate expired September 30, 2025. The Drive Clean Rebate can still be combined with utility programs such as ConEd SmartCharge.
New York Utility EV Programs
ConEd SmartCharge New York
~$400/year
Earn cash incentives for charging your electric vehicle during off-peak times. Participants on average earn $400 per year.
- $25 after your first three months of smart charging
- $0.10 rebate per off-peak kWh used for EV charging
- $35 monthly bonus if you don't charge between 2 P.M. and 6 P.M. on weekdays from June to September
- Available in NYC and Westchester County
ConEd Time-of-Use Rates
As low as $0.02/kWh
Pay as little as $0.02 per kWh if you charge your EV between midnight and 8 A.M.
- Rates vary based on demand and production
- Overnight charging provides maximum savings
- Available to ConEd customers in NYC and Westchester
- No enrollment fees or equipment required
National Grid Make-Ready Program
Up to 100% funding
Over $200 million available in rebates to cover make-ready costs for Level 2 and DC fast charging projects in Upstate New York.
- Eligible sites may qualify for up to 100% funding
- Public facilities, workplaces, and fleets eligible
- Enhanced funding in disadvantaged communities
- No application deadline
NYSEG & RG&E Make-Ready Programs
$103M+ available
NYSEG offers over $103 million and RG&E offers over $39 million in rebates for make-ready costs associated with EV charging infrastructure.
- Central NY (NYSEG) and Rochester area (RG&E)
- Level 2 and DC fast charging projects
- Up to 100% funding for qualifying sites
- Commercial and fleet charging eligible
Clean Pass Program: HOV Lane Access
Program Ended: The Clean Pass program for HOV lane access expired September 30, 2025. Single-occupant vehicles, including EVs, are no longer permitted in the Long Island Expressway HOV lanes, and stickers are no longer issued.
Until September 30, 2025, the Clean Pass Program let eligible plug-in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles use the Long Island Expressway (LIE) HOV lanes regardless of occupancy, with a Clean Pass sticker from the New York State DMV. Federal authorization for HOV exemptions lapsed and the program has not been renewed. The section below is kept for reference.
What Clean Pass Provided (Program Ended)
- HOV Lane Access: Use Long Island Expressway HOV lanes as single occupant
- Time Savings: Significant commute time reduction during peak hours
- Toll Discounts: 10% discount on certain tolls with Port Authority of NY & NJ Green Pass and NYS Thruway Green Pass
- Free Application: No fee for the Clean Pass sticker
How Clean Pass Worked (No Longer Accepting Applications)
- Own an eligible plug-in electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle
- Vehicle must be registered in New York State
- Apply online through NY DMV website (cannot apply at DMV office)
- Clean Pass sticker arrives by mail within 10 days
Important: Effective February 1, 2022, new Clean Pass Vehicle stickers for single-occupant HOV lane access on the Long Island Expressway will only be issued for Plug-In Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles. The program ended entirely on September 30, 2025 for all vehicles.
Charging Station Incentives
Enhanced Funding (2025): The Charge Ready NY 2.0 program will see an increase from a $2,000 rebate per charging port installation to $3,000 per charging port. Charging infrastructure installed in disadvantaged communities are eligible for another $1,000 per charging port.
Charge Ready NY 2.0 Program
| Location Type | Standard Rebate | Disadvantaged Community |
|---|---|---|
| Public facilities (municipal/state owned) | N/A | $4,000 per port |
| Workplace charging | $3,000 per port | $4,000 per port |
| Multi-unit dwellings | $3,000 per port | $4,000 per port |
| Fleet charging (assigned vehicles) | $1,000 per port | $1,000 per port |
Utility Make-Ready Programs
All major New York utilities participate in Make-Ready programs that can fund up to 100% of utility-side infrastructure costs:
- ConEd PowerReady: Up to 100% of infrastructure costs for qualifying sites in NYC and Westchester
- National Grid: Over $200 million available for Level 2 and DC fast charging infrastructure
- NYSEG: Over $103 million for Central New York charging infrastructure
- RG&E: Over $39 million for Rochester area charging projects
- Central Hudson: Up to 90% of utility-side make-ready costs
- PSEG Long Island: Up to 100% of eligible infrastructure costs
New York City EV Programs
PlugNYC Curbside Charging
In partnership with Con Edison, NYC installed 98 Level 2 charging ports for the public to use at curbside locations across the five boroughs as part of a demonstration project.
PlugNYC Pricing: If you use one of the curbside Level 2 chargers installed in NYC as part of the PlugNYC program, you'll pay $2.50 per hour from 6 A.M. to 9 P.M. and $1 per hour overnight.
NYC DOT Fast Charging Network
We are working with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to create up to 13 additional EV fast-charging hubs at municipal parking facilities across the city, featuring roughly 50 fast-charging plugs.
- Charging Rate: $0.39 per kWh consumed
- Parking Offset: $9 deducted from charging session to offset first hour of parking
- Connector Types: CHAdeMO and CCS connectors (Tesla adapter compatible)
- Charging Speed: 30-60 minutes to 80% charge depending on vehicle
NYC EV Goals
New York City is developing goals including growing the city-operated fast charging network to over 80 plugs by 2025, equipping 20 percent of all spaces in municipal public parking lots and garages with Level 2 chargers by 2025, increasing to 40 percent by 2030, and creating a network of 1,000 curbside charge points across the five boroughs.
Additional New York EV Benefits
Emissions Inspection Exemption
Savings Vary
Vehicles powered exclusively by electricity are exempt from state motor vehicle emissions inspections.
Municipal ZEV Rebates
Up to $7,500
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (NYSDEC) Municipal ZEV Program offers rebates to cities, towns, villages, counties, and New York City boroughs for the purchase or lease of eligible zero emission vehicles.
Federal 30C Tax Credit (Expired)
No longer available
The Section 30C charging infrastructure credit ended for equipment placed in service after June 30, 2026. It had covered 30% of cost, up to $100,000 per charger for businesses, non-profits and municipalities in qualifying census tracts, and up to $1,000 for homeowners. Equipment placed in service on or before that date can still be claimed on IRS Form 8911.
Eligible Vehicles for NY Incentives
More than 60 new electric vehicle models qualify for the Drive Clean Rebate. Here are some popular examples:
Vehicles Qualifying for $2,000 Rebate (200+ mile range)
Tesla Model 3
$2,000 rebate
Starting MSRP: ~$38,990
Tesla Model Y
$2,000 rebate
Starting MSRP: ~$47,740
Chevrolet Bolt EV
$2,000 rebate
Starting MSRP: ~$27,495
Ford Mustang Mach-E
$2,000 rebate
Starting MSRP: ~$42,995
Hyundai IONIQ 6
$2,000 rebate
Starting MSRP: ~$41,600
BMW i4
$2,000 rebate
Starting MSRP: ~$52,200
Complete List: For the complete and up-to-date list of eligible vehicles and their specific rebate amounts, visit the NYSERDA Drive Clean Rebate Eligible Models page.
How to Maximize Your NY EV Savings
Stacking Strategy for Maximum Benefits
Example Maximum Savings:
- NY Drive Clean Rebate: $2,000 (point of sale, no income limit)
- ConEd SmartCharge Program: about $400/year
- Time-of-use charging rates: lowers running cost, varies by usage
- Total First-Year Savings: about $2,400
- Federal EV Tax Credit: $0 — expired September 30, 2025
Step-by-Step Savings Plan
- Confirm Drive Clean funding: The rebate is applied by the dealer at point of sale and depends on program funding, so confirm before you sign
- Choose Qualifying Vehicle: Select from 60+ models eligible for NY rebate
- Find Participating Dealer: Ensure dealer can process Drive Clean rebate
- Check Your Utility: ConEd, National Grid and NYSEG run separate charging programs
- Enroll in Utility Programs: Sign up for SmartCharge and time-of-use rates
- Home Charging: The federal 30C charger credit ended June 30, 2026, so compare utility charger rebates instead
Pro Tips for NY EV Buyers
- Timing: Purchase before 9/30/25 for federal credit and Clean Pass benefits
- Location: ConEd customers get best utility programs (NYC/Westchester)
- Charging: Overnight charging at $0.02/kWh can save $1,000+/year vs gasoline
- Commuting: HOV lane access saves 15-30 minutes each way on LIE
- Maintenance: EVs require no oil changes, reducing annual costs by $500+
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I combine federal and New York state incentives?
Not any more. The federal EV tax credit expired September 30, 2025, so the Drive Clean rebate (up to $2,000) is the main purchase incentive left in New York. It still stacks with utility programs such as ConEd SmartCharge.
What happens to NY incentives after federal credits end?
The NY Drive Clean rebate program continued after federal credits ended on September 30, 2025, supported by an additional $30 million in state funding. The Clean Pass HOV lane access ends on the same date.
Do I need to live in NYC to get ConEd utility benefits?
ConEd programs are available to customers in New York City and Westchester County. If you live in other parts of New York, check with your local utility (National Grid, NYSEG, RG&E, Central Hudson, or PSEG Long Island) for their EV programs.
Can I get the Drive Clean rebate for a used EV?
No, the Drive Clean rebate is only available for new electric vehicles. The federal used EV tax credit of up to $4,000 that used to help here also expired September 30, 2025, so there is currently no purchase incentive for used EVs in New York.
How long does it take to get my Clean Pass sticker?
Clean Pass vehicle stickers arrive by mail within 10 days of applying online through the NY DMV website. There is no fee for the sticker, and you cannot apply at a DMV office.
What if my EV model isn't listed as eligible?
If your vehicle model isn't on the eligible list, contact NYSERDA to request that it be added. New models are regularly evaluated and added to the program. You can also contact the vehicle manufacturer to ensure they've submitted the necessary paperwork.
Ready to Save with New York EV Incentives?
New York's Drive Clean Rebate still takes up to $2,000 off at the dealership, with no income limit. The federal tax credit and Clean Pass HOV access both ended September 30, 2025.
Questions about NY EV incentives? Contact our experts for personalized guidance.
Official Resources & Applications
Drive Clean Rebate
Clean Pass Application
Website: NY DMV Clean Pass
Status: Program ended September 30, 2025
Status: Program ended September 30, 2025
ConEd SmartCharge
Website: ConEd SmartCharge Program
Service Area: NYC and Westchester County
Service Area: NYC and Westchester County
Charge Ready NY 2.0
Information: Available through NYSERDA
Deadline: December 31, 2025 or until funds exhausted
Deadline: December 31, 2025 or until funds exhausted
Disclaimer: Incentive amounts and program details change frequently. Always verify current information with official sources before making a purchase decision. This guide was last updated September 5, 2026.