Study: Connecticut EV Dealer Incentive Program Could Improve Technology Adoption Rates

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

While most states and the United States government offer tax credits to consumers for purchasing an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid, Connecticut instead offers dealers the incentive to sell EVs and PHEVs, a move research group Navigant Research claims could be more effective at bringing about greater adoption of the new technology.

Autoblog Green reports the Connecticut Revolutionary Dealer Award program offered by the state’s Department of Energy & Environmental Protection — or DEEP — which will bestow an award upon the dealership who moves the most EVs in a six-month period ending July 31st, as well as for the dealership whose sales and leases account for a significant percentage of overall sales, could help push non-Tesla dealers normally reluctant to sell an EV to learn about their offerings, thereby leading to more sales.

In addition, Navigant suggests Connecticut offer incentives to those who do purchase an EV, as well as offer EV HOV lane access; the state already provides grants to agencies purchasing EV charging stations, totaling $175,000 divided by 50 towns, businesses and schools for 75 such units thus far.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Thelaine Thelaine on May 07, 2014

    Just stop this nonsense.

    • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on May 07, 2014

      Agreed. Tesla needs the least incentive of any EV, and I think the EV market has gained a toehold such that incentives should go away. Actually, they never should have existed.

  • Schmitt trigger Schmitt trigger on May 07, 2014

    My son lives and works in north eastern NJ, and I'm familiar with the rush hour driving conditions there. I feel that an EV is an excellent solution for those cases. An electric motor at slow speeds will be drawing very little energy, and batteries should last considerably. Plus while stopped, the current draw from the traction motors will be negligible. Now on snowy conditions, that is another matter.

    • Luke42 Luke42 on May 07, 2014

      Hybrids and EVa have to have fantastic traction control in order to work at all (because of the asymptotic torque curve). If you do a naive EV design, you're likely to end up with a car that can smoke the tires, but not break 50mph, at least according to the paper designs I did back when I was thinking about doing a conversion. So, it seems like most designs powerful EV motor in, but intelligently de-rate it at low speeds in order to keep from smoking the tires via the TCS. BTW, my Prius is fantastic on slippery roads. The Prius is way easier to drive in the snow the 2004 F-150 I used to own, at least until the snow got up to the bumper. The F-150 was much better for going over potholes, though. Tradeoffs.

  • Harshciygar Harshciygar on May 07, 2014

    Fluff and nonsense. If I still can't afford an EV, it doesn't matter if the salesman tries his hardest to sell it to me; I still ain't biting. CT could do some simple things to make EV buying a better experience. Free parking in Hartford for one, and accesss to HOV lanes as well. Cash on the hood is nice, but Norway is selling EVs like hotcakes because of all the benefits that come along with EV ownership. I'm a CT resident, and this state is doing everything it can to drive me and my fellow young folks out. The only thing keeping me around is the busway (I'm one of the few people who wants it apparently, and I think it will be a big boon) and my family. But this idea is STOOPID.

  • Healthy skeptic Healthy skeptic on May 07, 2014

    Let Tesla (and any other auto manufacturers) sell direct to consumers. That beats the pants off any dealer incentives. Tesla is already highly motivated to sell its own cars. Direct sales need to happen for a lot of other reasons anyway.

    • LALoser LALoser on May 07, 2014

      I still think the dealer system is best. Dealers are giving feedback to corporate on many issues from design to pricing pressure. A dealer network in is competition with each other and going for the same customer keeps things in check. If corporate sold directly they could become detached and lose the sharp end of what is needed/wanted by customers on dealers lots. Of course corporate price fixing would be quite easy. With only 6 or 7 companies setting prices that are openly posted...what could go wrong... For all my dislike for Walmart and so on, they keep prices in check from manufactures.

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