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US car buyers are going electric at a record pace. The overwhelming demand is causing some states to temporarily pause EV incentives designed to promote adoption.

Despite overall auto sales falling, electric vehicles were a bright spot in the industry last year. According to data from Cox Automotive, total US auto sales fell 8% year-over-year (YoY) from 2021, but EV sales climbed 65%, passing 800,000 in volume for the first time.

The trend is not slowing this year either. The latest data shows EV sales broke another record in Q1, surpassing 250,000 and claiming over 7% of total US auto sales.

There are several reasons for the rising demand for EVs – for one, more availability. Tesla continues to churn out a record number of electric vehicles, producing over 440,000 units (up 44% YoY) in the first three months of 2023.

Perhaps more importantly, a slew of new EVs are becoming more widely available, hitting all the market sweet spots like electric trucks (Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T), electric SUVs/crossovers (Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Volkswagen ID.4), and lower cost options (Chevy Bolt EV starting at $26,500).

EV-demand-state-incentives
Light duty electric vehicle sales (Energy.gov/Argonne National Lab)

Federal incentives, such as the EV tax credit extension from the Inflation Reduction Act, provide up to $7,500 for new buyers and $4,000 for used.

States and several utility companies offer additional incentives, ranging from a few hundred dollars up to several thousand (most are in the $1,500 to $3,000 range).

However, with customers flocking to electric vehicles, several states are becoming overwhelmed, causing them to pause the programs.

States pause incentives as EV demand rises

According to an AP News post this week, New Jersey has become the latest state to temporarily suspend its rebate program after running out of money due to its popularity.

The state’s “Charge Up New Jersey” program gives residents up to $4,000 in incentives to purchase or lease a new electric vehicle.

Charge Up New Jersey stopped accepting new applications for EV rebates on April 17 after dishing out roughly $35 million for the fiscal year that ends in July.

The board said it was pausing the program as it distributed funding based on the current rate of application approvals. According to New Jersey utility board estimates, the $35 million in funding will be used to support the purchase or lease of over 10,000 EVs this fiscal year.

Since launching nearly three years ago, the program has supported the adoption of over 25,000 EVs by providing over $90 million in funding.

New Jersey is among several states offering EV incentives that are seeing overwhelming demand. For example, Oregon is also pausing a popular rebate program due to more buyers going electric than expected.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality announced in March it would temporarily suspend its EV incentive program. Oregon’s Clean Vehicle Rebate program started in 2018, providing up to $7,500 for qualified households. DEQ’s senior advisor Rachel Sakata said:

Unfortunately, we’ve become a victim of our own success and we’re running out of money.

Electrek’s Take

Demand for fully electric vehicles is only predicted to continue climbing from here. Analysts are forecasting EV sales will surpass 1 million for the first time in 2023.

With 250,000 electric vehicle sales in Q1, the US is well on its way toward 1 million EV sales this year.

We’ve been saying for a long time that EV adoption will happen quicker than most have predicted. Demand is already taking several states by surprise, causing them to pause incentive programs.

The federal government is aiming for 50% of all new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030, up from around 7% in the first quarter of 2023.

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New Chevy Bolt undercuts “affordable” Tesla by $10K, wins on features

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New Chevy Bolt undercuts

On today’s extreme episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got the most affordable new EV in America packing 255 miles of range, sub-30 minute charging, V2H support, and more – all that for a price about $10,000 LESS than that new “affordable” Tesla.

We’ve also got specs for the all-new, all-electric Ferrari Elettrica and a world’s first, hydrogen-powered autonomous farm tractor from Kubota.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Climate XChange, a nonpartisan nonprofit working to help states pass effective, equitable climate policies. The nonprofit just kicked off its 10th annual EV raffle, where participants have multiple opportunities to win their dream model. Visit CarbonRaffle.org/Electrek to learn more.

Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple PodcastsSpotifyTuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

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New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (most weeks, anyway). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news.

Got news? Let us know!
Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.


If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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Momentum unveils upgraded Vida E+ e-bike with throttle and bigger motor

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Momentum unveils upgraded Vida E+ e-bike with throttle and bigger motor

Momentum, the lifestyle-focused urban bike brand under Giant Group, has just launched the latest version of its popular Vida E+ electric bike – and this one’s all about making e-biking smoother, safer, and more accessible to riders of all experience levels.

The updated Vida E+ features a new 500W SyncDrive Move S motor offering 60Nm of torque and pedal assist up to 28 mph, designed to provide natural-feeling power whether you’re cruising to work or just exploring around town. The system uses a combination of sensors to analyze torque, speed, and cadence, automatically adjusting power output to match your pedaling effort.

According to Momentum, the motor engages with as little as 4Nm of pedal pressure and just 10° of crank movement, giving riders what they describe as an ultra-smooth and effortless start every time.

A new optional throttle adds another layer of convenience, letting riders cruise at speeds up to 20 mph without pedaling, which should be perfect for hills, traffic-heavy starts, or when you just want to relax and take it easy on the way home. The bike’s EnergyPak 700 battery provides up to a claimed 55 miles (88 km) of range on pedal assist or 43 miles (69 km) on throttle-only riding.

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The Vida E+ also leans hard into comfort and safety. It sports a low-step aluminum frame for easy on-and-off, an 80 mm suspension fork, and wide 26×2.4-inch tires for stability and plushness. Four-piston hydraulic disc brakes ensure solid stopping power, while a new automatic motor cutoff feature stops assistance as soon as the brakes engage. The bike is UL 2849 certified, meaning it meets top-tier safety standards for batteries and electronics, which is a growing priority in the e-bike world as more cities and states consider requiring safety certification as a prerequisite.

With support for up to 300 pounds (136 kg) total load and optional racks front and rear, the Vida E+ is also built for everyday utility. And on the tech side, momentum’s RideControl app lets riders fine-tune speed and assistance, lock or unlock the bike electronically, and monitor battery health.

The new Momentum Vida E+ is available now through Giant Group’s nationwide dealer network with an MSRP of US$2,480.

Returning from a recall on its previous bike, Giant Group will now have an opportunity to see how the new version of the Momentum Vida E+ will fare.

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VW just nuked its EV lease deals – while rivals sweeten theirs

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VW just nuked its EV lease deals – while rivals sweeten theirs

VW’s US EV lease deals just went from hero to zero. Federal tax credits are now dead, the automaker has wiped out up to $12,000 in lease incentives on the ID.4, and ended $10,500 in discounts on the ID. Buzz. The move bucks the trend as other brands continue to sweeten their EV lease offers.

As of September 30, 2025, Volkswagen offered up to $12,350 in lease cash on the ID.4, depending on configuration. That included a $7,500 federal lease tax credit for lessees as Bonus Customer Cash, plus $3,500 to $4,850 in Dealer Lease Cash. It made the ID.4 one of the top EV lease deals around.

On October 1, those incentives vanished. While the ID.4 still has a 0% APR equivalent lease rate, drivers lost more than $12,000 in savings overnight. The ID. Buzz took a similar hit. Last month, the 2025 ID. Buzz offered $10,500 off MSRP between the $7,500 tax credit and $3,000 Dealer Lease Cash. Now, almost all lease cash is gone. VW Credit is offering just $750 in Dealer Lease Cash, and weirdly, not on models with two-tone paint. According to CarsDirect’s lease calculator, the lowest-priced ID. Buzz trim now carries an effective monthly cost topping $1,000 — a considerable jump.

For comparison, the ID. Buzz Pro S was previously advertised at $589 a month for 36 months with $5,999 due at signing, or an effective monthly cost of $756.

The ID.4 lease once cost just $233 a month, making it one of the cheapest EVs to lease. According to updated estimates, that figure is now north of $800 – that’s hair-raising.

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Meanwhile, VW’s rivals are going in the opposite direction. Ford extended its Mustang Mach-E lease deals through early January. Subaru’s updated 2026 Solterra still qualifies for the $7,500 lease credit, and Jeep replaced the expiring EV lease credit with equivalent bonus cash.

If you really want a Volkswagen, though, there’s some good news: financing deals haven’t changed. The 2025 ID.4 continues to offer 0% APR for 72 months, and buyers of the ID. Buzz can still get up to $3,250 in Bonus Customer Cash through November 3, a perk unavailable to lessees.

It kinda seems like VW doesn’t want to lease their EVs anymore…?? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Read more: From $189 a month: 5 of the best EV lease deals in October


The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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