Massachusetts is one of the first states to adopt a comprehensive strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Part of that strategy includes the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by making them more affordable through a statewide EV rebate program called the Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) program.
MOR-EV encourages Massachusetts residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations to consider purchasing or leasing EVs in place of greenhouse gas emitting gasoline and diesel vehicles by offering EV rebates to Massachusetts residents, businesses, and non-profits. Massachusetts residents can apply for MOR-EV rebates online or via mail. Once the application is approved, a rebate check is mailed to the applicant. Note: Certain restrictions and eligibility criteria may apply. For more information about the various MOR-EV program rebate offerings, please refer to the MOR-EV website.
The Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE), a national nonprofit organization located in San Diego, CA has served as Massachusetts’ statewide administrator of the MOR-EV program since its inception in 2014.
In 2023, the MOR-EV program announced a significant improvement to processing EV rebates. Starting in August 2023, new and used vehicle dealerships were given the opportunity to register online with MOR-EV and offer rebates directly to qualified consumers (residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations) at the point-of-sale (POS).
This new feature of the MOR-EV program would require local expertise in marketing, dealership recruitment, and consumer education. CSE looked to Energy New England (ENE) for assistance.
ENE is the largest wholesale risk management and energy trading organization serving the needs of municipal utilities in the northeast. We work with numerous businesses, residents and utilities to help promote the principles of conservation, efficiency, and environmental stewardship, and advance the many benefits available through integrated sustainability planning. ENE provides Municipal Utilities and other organizations with customized and comprehensive EV Awareness and Education program services. ENE also provides support for our client’s various rebate programs (EV, EV charging hardware, heat pumps, Energy Star Appliances, and more).
Jeff Manning and I were hired by ENE as Dealership Outreach and Training Specialists in May of 2023 ahead of the August 2023 launch of the MOR-EV Point-of-Sale program. Both Jeff and I are EV enthusiasts, we both have over 7 years of EV ownership experience and as many years’ experience with EV event planning, management, participation, and EV training under our belts.
Reporting to CSE, ENE serves as “boots on the ground” in Massachusetts – hosting EV showcases, distributing marketing materials, visiting local new and used vehicle dealerships, maintaining dealership mapping, and providing status reports.
In the past 8 months, ENE Staff have visited / contacted over 250 dealerships and enrolled over 200 of them into the MOR-EV POS program.
ENE staff have also participated in over 20 EV Showcase Events in 2023; bringing EV dealerships and the public together to introduce folks to the variety of new and used EV’s on the market, answer EV ownership questions in a stress-free environment and educate prospective EV buyers about the available rebate programs.
ENE’s MOR-EV Program dealership and consumer outreach work continues this year with more dealership engagement and many more EV showcase events. EV event planning is underway with several events already scheduled for this Spring. 2024 will be an exciting time to learn more about EVs and the various rebate programs available to consumers.
