SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2408        FILED ON: 2/19/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2129

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Michael J. Barrett

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to make electric vehicles more affordable.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Michael J. Barrett

Third Middlesex

 

Jason M. Lewis

Fifth Middlesex

3/3/2021

Lindsay N. Sabadosa

1st Hampshire

3/4/2021

Barry R. Finegold

Second Essex and Middlesex

3/9/2021

Michael O. Moore

Second Worcester

3/9/2021

Michael D. Brady

Second Plymouth and Bristol

3/17/2021


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2408        FILED ON: 2/19/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2129

By Mr. Barrett, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2129) of Michael J. Barrett, Jason M. Lewis, Lindsay N. Sabadosa, Barry R. Finegold and other members of the General Court for legislation to make electric vehicles more affordable.  Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

 

An Act to make electric vehicles more affordable.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 16 of chapter 25A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “section”, in line 1, the following words:- and section 18.

SECTION 2. Subsection (a) of said section 16 of said chapter 25A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following definition:-

“Zero-emission vehicle”, a motor vehicle that produces no engine exhaust carbon emissions.

SECTION 3. Said chapter 25A is hereby further amended by adding the following section:-

Section 18. (a) The commissioner shall, subject to appropriation, establish a program to provide rebates or other financial incentives to consumers who purchase or lease and register and insure in the commonwealth a zero-emission vehicle. Vehicles qualifying for rebates under this section shall: (i) be manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads and highways; (ii) have an engine that is not modified from the original manufacturer's specifications; and (iii) have been acquired for use or lease by the consumer and not for resale.

(b) For vehicles classified by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) as within the Class 1 weight class, a rebate under this section shall not be less than $5,000 per vehicle, provided that no rebate shall be provided for vehicles with a sales price that exceeds $60,000.

(c) The commissioner may promulgate regulations to administer the program established under this section. At least once per calendar year, the commissioner shall provide outreach to underserved consumers and consumers in communities with a high percentage of low-income households with information about the zero-emission vehicle incentive program established under this section.

(d) The commissioner shall publish and regularly update data regarding program usage including, but not limited to: (i) the number and amount of rebates or incentives provided each month; (ii) the make, model and type of vehicle for which the rebate or incentive was issued; (iii) the zip code in which the vehicle is registered; and (iv) the estimated total greenhouse gas emissions reductions achieved from the rebate or incentive issued.