by Guy Page
Gas or diesel-powered cars and trucks damaged by flooding – drivable or not – will be eligible for up to $11,000 in trade value for an electric-powered vehicle, Gov. Phil Scott announced yesterday.
The $11K is a bundle of state incentives only. Federal and other incentives also are available. “We hope these incentive changes will make a difference in curbing the worst effects of climate change,” an administration official said.
The program expands the scope of the state’s already considerable current EV incentives to include trading a flood-damaged vehicle. Effective yesterday, the Vermont Agency of Transportation is offering a package of enhanced incentives for income-eligible Vermonters:
- The Replace Your Ride Program, which provides up to $5,000 for swapping a gas- or diesel-powered vehicle for cleaner transportation options, will increase program eligibility to include flood-damaged vehicles, whether drivable or not. Vehicles will still have to meet other program guidelines.
- The Incentive Program for New Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs), which currently provides up to $5,000 for a new purchased or leased PEV, will provide an additional $1,000 incentive (up to $6,000 total) to Vermonters replacing a flood-damaged vehicle.
- The MileageSmart Program, the state’s high-efficiency used vehicle program which provides up to 25% of a vehicle’s price, will automatically provide a full $5,000 incentive to Vermonters replacing a flood-damaged vehicle.
- Program participants may use these programs to bundle different state incentives, for up to $11,000 off the price of a new PEV and up to $10,000 off the price of a used PEV, as well as with other local utility rebates and federal tax credits.
“As we continue responding to this summer’s weather events, we remain focused on transitioning to an electric future, including in the transportation sector,” said Scott. “My team has been focused on making EVs a priority for years, and we will continue to take the lead on these efforts.” During the past year, the Administration worked to expand the impact of its vehicle incentive programs by increasing income eligibility, the number of participating households, vehicle eligibility, the number of PEV models available, and affordability with higher incentive amounts.
“As our Agency works relentlessly to restore the state’s infrastructure and improve mobility throughout, we also recognize the devastating personal losses sustained by Vermonters during the recent flooding,” said Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn. “We hope these incentive changes will make a difference in curbing the worst effects of climate change and a big difference in the lives of residents still struggling to get back on their feet.”
Occupants of flooded EVS are reportedly safe from the danger of electric shock, due to design precautions against exposing electric components to water.
Much of the content of this news article was sourced from a press release from Gov. Phil Scott’s office.
Categories: Energy, State Government
So now taxpayers are paying for other people’s cars whether or not they are covered by insurance? Only in this screwed up state!
Every crisis an opportunity to implement the United Nations 2030 agenda at the expense of taxpayers.
For crying out loud, there is no climate change emergency. It’s weather history you need to research. These cars will cost more to maintain not to mention the mining and pollution it caused to make them. Who are these cars going to?? Who made this decision??? Are you all losing your grip on reality?? Time to shake things up in a Vermont!! I hope all of you wake up!!
This Marxist/Prog state needs more than a shakeup.
$5 Billion in debt and we’re investing in electric vehicles built and powered by fossil fuels. Homelessness running rampant, highways and byways in disrepair. Still we have a governor and legislature chirping up WEF fallacies and taking federal bribes to implement their insane mandates. Time to draw up some county grand juries and run these demons from our midst.
“We hope these incentive changes will make a difference in curbing the worst effects of climate change,” an administration official said.”
It would make more sense to spend the money on making the state less vulnerable to natural disasters, instead of spending it on vehicles that are dependent on electricity that may not be available when you need to make an escape from flood, wildfire, or other natural disaster? Just for starters, how about investing in burying power lines, or trimming trees the trees that hang over power lines on our rural roads. Or moving homes and businesses away from flood prone areas? And don’t forget EV production contributes to the proclaimed causes of climate change.
Common sense is in short supply these days while climate fear porn is ubiquitous.
Just traded my car for a pre-emission, straight piped powerstroke diesel. The harder they push, the harder i’ll push back, at any cost.
Trade your reliable and useful vehicle for a self-igniting, mileage limited, ugly piece of junk that is worthless in the winter! Way to go Phil Scott and your hopelessly ignorant transportation “official”. Vermont needs a massive political enema to rid us of these malicious fools.
Nothing like having the government’s thumb on the free market scale. To be fair, a $5,000 trade in value to convert to an Amish horse and buggy would be even more environmentally friendly ( watch out where you are walking though ).
more of my tax money going down the rat hole.
Why not? This administration wants me to pay for other people’s student loans, why shouldn’t I buy them cars, too?
EVs are heavier, which means more wear and tear on roads, higher expenses from accidents, higher insurance rates, and likely higher taxes to invest in the electric grid necessary to support other people’s cars. Where do I sign?
If they were really serious about environmental damages from vehicles, why don’t they ban auto racing, air shows, vacation trips via plane or auto, etc. (Essential travel only) During covid, they saw a reduced amount of smog and air pollution because of less vehicles on roads and in the skies.
And we’ll end up paying for the electricity for them too
What a joke. Vermont will save the world! (And, of course the taxpayers will have to pay for it.)
I am shaking my head in disgust at the dribble that is coming out of spineless Phil’s mouth
A quote from one of the smarter people, Forrest Gump. “Stupid is as Stupid Does”. The Twilight Zone’s weirdness is no match for what’s happening here in Vermont. The show finally went off the air. How much longer can this weirdness go on? These people think we all going to buy an EV. If they are so great, where’s that Ford F150 Lightning pick up the Gov bought then ditched because he couldn’t get around the state without numerous charging station visits. Here’s another quote, “Good for thee but not for me”, right Gov? He has the luxury of having a state trooper following in a horrid fossil fuel police vehicle. No range anxiety for the Governor, no danger of being stranded. What a crock! Thank those Subaru gas vehicles for the donation though.
Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn. “We hope these incentive changes will make a difference in curbing the worst effects of climate change….” What a crock. Can we get a JFO analysis of exactly how much impact this policy will have on “the worst effects of climate change”? Plug that new EV into your garage that just floated away. Oops.
There can be no accurate nor honest analysis of the impact of this taxpayer subsidy until the pretending ends in our state government. The money grab surrounding Vermont’s GWSA legislation is in the billions of dollars, there’ll be no honest accounting here, Rob. This is but a trickle of dollars to the consumer when compared to the Billions at stake. Disgusting? Yes. Dishonest? Yes. Surprising or Unexpected?
Certainly not.
Here’s an idea for spineless Phil, offer each expectant mother $5k for an abortion so the dead baby would never have to be a victim of a flood
Let’s look at the numbers shall we? The average cost of an EV is $64,000. A used EV costs around $30K or a used Tesla around $44K. EV batteries don’t last long in cold climates. The average cost to replace an EV battery is between $4000 to $20K depending on year, make and model. The average car loan rate is between 7%-11%. In order to energize the battery, you must either update your home electrical system or find a charging station and have something to do for a good hour or so. The Truth is EVs are not only energy suckers, but money suckers. Anyone buying one or “incentified” to buy one is a sucker. Many are finding that out the hardway. Yet, our goverment is so incentified with dirty money they will coerce anyone to throw their money away by using our taxpayer money as bread crumbs to ruin. See how it works?
Total BS?
Trapped, kettled, cornered in Vermont… bring us to our knees then tell us what our choices are: NONE.
Welcome to the New World Order where pretty soon even THIS choice won’t be ours…and we’ll like it!