2025 Zero Emission Vehicle Clean Vehicle

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is offering rebate funding through the Municipal Zero-emission Vehicle (ZEV) Program under its Climate Smart Communities initiative. This program, funded by the Environmental Protection Fund and authorized under Environmental Conservation Law Article 54, Title 15 and 6 NYCRR Part 492, supports municipalities seeking to purchase or lease new battery electric, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for fleet use. The initiative is part of the state’s broader climate goals and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. The 2025 Clean Vehicle Rebates opportunity provides a total of $585,000 in available funding for eligible municipalities in New York State. Rebate amounts are tiered based on electric vehicle range and weight class. Light-duty vehicles with a range between 50 and 100 miles qualify for $2,500; between 101 and 200 miles for $5,000; and 201 miles or more for $7,500. For medium-duty vehicles weighing between 8,001 and 14,000 pounds, the rebate is $7,500 regardless of range. Rebates must not exceed the total cost of the vehicle minus other applied incentives. Municipalities must purchase or lease new (model year 2025 or 2026) vehicles placed into service at a New York State dealership between September 28, 2024, and February 27, 2026. Leased vehicles must have a minimum lease term of 36 months. Vehicles must not be retrofitted and must retain their original manufacturer powertrain. All vehicle and purchase documentation, including VINs, registration or delivery documentation, purchase or lease agreements, and any other rebate documentation, must be submitted with the application. Only counties, cities, towns, villages, and New York City boroughs are eligible to apply. Political subdivisions like school districts and public benefit corporations are not eligible. To apply, municipalities must register in the Statewide Financial System Grants Management (SFS GM) portal, and submissions must be made electronically by an authorized user with the Bid Response Submitter role. Paper or emailed applications are not accepted. The application window runs from October 15, 2025, to February 27, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. Evaluation of applications is pass/fail, based on compliance with eligibility and submission requirements, including vehicle and vendor qualifications and submission of mandatory certifications. These include policies related to sexual harassment prevention, gender-based violence in the workplace, and business restrictions tied to Executive Order 16 regarding Russian business operations. Rebates are awarded on a rolling basis in the order of received and complete applications. Successful applicants will receive notification via mail and be required to execute either a Letter of Agreement (for awards under $10,000) or a Master Contract for Grants (for awards of $10,000 or more) within 60 to 90 days. Costs must be incurred within the contract period to be eligible for reimbursement. The program does not allow contract extensions and mandates that the funded vehicles remain in service for at least three years. Additional monitoring or reporting of emissions reductions may be required by NYSDEC.

Submit early due to first-come-first-served funding; ensure all certifications are complete and signed.