East Providence auto dealer discounting electric cars through ‘Drive Green with Mass Energy’

PROVIDENCE – Those interested in buying an electric vehicle can take advantage of a new group-purchasing program offered by the nonprofit Mass Energy Consumers Alliance and its sister organization in Rhode Island, People’s Power & Light.

Through Feb. 28, 15 car dealers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including Stateline Nissan in East Providence, are offering Mass Energy-negotiated discounts of up to $8,000, in addition to a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 and a state rebate of up to $2,500. Discounted leases also are being offered.

This is believed to be the Northeast’s first group-purchasing program for electric cars, and is modeled after programs in Colorado and Utah, according to Mass Energy.

The types of vehicles being offered include the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf, Ford Fusion Energi, Ford C-Max Energi and Kia e-Soul.

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Mass Energy said in the news release about the program that it also set up a waiting list for the “potentially game-changing 238-mile-per-charge Chevrolet Bolt.”

“With longer mileage ranges, lower prices and the bonus of federal and state incentives, electric vehicles have come into their own and now is a great time to buy one,” Mass Energy Executive Director Larry Chretien said in a statement. “What’s more, with the additional incentives being offered by our participating dealers, an array of quality makes and models with high customer ratings are affordable for middle-income consumers right now. Dealers participating in Drive Green with Mass Energy are ready to work with customers and explain the technology.”

Besides Stateline Nissan, Massachusetts car dealerships in Arlington, Braintree, Holyoke, Lynnfield, Marlborough, Milford, Needham, Norwell, Quincy and West Springfield are participating in Drive Green.

More than 60 sales or leases, mostly for the Volt and Leaf, have been recorded so far, according to Mass Energy, which said it expects that number to exceed 100 based on test drives scheduled.

Another 250 drivers have put their names on Mass Energy’s Chevy Bolt waiting list, according to the release.

“A combination of heightened consumer awareness and enthusiasm, new models with better technology and public policies to cut carbon emissions promises to make 2017 a big year for EVs,” Chretien said. “There are clear signs the market is growing – despite little advertising and low gasoline prices, with overall EV sales up over a third last year compared with 2015.”

To receive Drive Green discounts, consumers interested in buying or leasing one of the featured EVs must sign up for test drives via the program’s web page.

Chretien said Drive Green with Mass Energy’s “group buying” concept is responsible for the additional discounts consumers can enjoy beyond federal and state incentives.

Information from People’s Power & Light about the Drive Green electric vehicle discount program can be found HERE.

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