Nonprofit charges up electric-car discounts
The Massachusetts Energy Consumers Alliance launched a new program today that will let consumers buy or lease electric cars for discounted prices — up to $10,000 off manufacturers’ suggested retail prices for purchases.
The nonprofit has negotiated the savings with about 15 auto dealers under its “Drive Green With Mass Energy” program that runs through the end of February.
Available cars include the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf, Ford Fusion Energi and Ford C-Max Energi.
The group-buying program, believed to be the first of its kind in the Northeast, is modeled after similar successful initiatives in Colorado and Utah, according to Mass Energy executive director Larry Chretien.
“We’ve been watching the advancement of electrical vehicles very closely,” Chretien said. “The cars are getting better every year — the quality, the range, the comfort. ‘Range anxiety’ is a term that people used to use for electric vehicles, and that just doesn’t apply anymore.”
To receive the discounts, consumers must sign up for test drives at www.massenergy.org/ drivegreen. Purchasers also are eligible for a one-time federal tax credit of up to $7,500 and state rebate of up to $2,500.
“That environmental advantage is going to grow as our grid gets cleaner, so we think it’s a great thing for a consumer who wants to go green,” he said.
MassEnergy will set up a waiting list for the Chevrolet Bolt, which is expected to be available by the end of 2017.
“It’s a game-changer — it gets 238 miles per charge,” Chretien said. “Basically that car is what the world has been waiting for in terms of solving the climate problem as it relates to transportation. We’re hoping our program will help speed up getting those cars to Massachusetts.”