Rhode Island offers electric car rebates

By The Associated Press

news@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ Rhode Island is introducing rebates of up to $2,500 to encourage its residents to buy plug-in electric vehicles.

Rhode Island Energy Commissioner Marian Gold announced the new incentives Friday at the opening of the Northeast International Auto Show in Providence.

Gold said the rebates take effect immediately on a first-come, first-served basis.

A $200,000 pool of state money will cover an estimated 80 to 100 new vehicles. The biggest rebates go to cars with the highest battery capacity.

About 450 plug-in electric vehicles are currently on the roads in Rhode Island, far fewer than in neighboring states.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said the new rebates are comparable to those offered in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

The state rebates are in addition to the $7,500 buyers can get in federal tax credits

© The Associated Press WLNE-TV   2015