Long Islanders receive the most electric car rebates, state numbers show

More than 5,750 consumers have received $7.5 million in rebates to buy electric cars in New York since the state's Drive Clean Rebate was launched last March, the governor's office said.

Long Island had the most approved rebates with 1,892, followed by the Mid-Hudson Valley with 1,001, according to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's office.

The Toyota Prius Prime accounted for 38 percent of rebates statewide, followed by the Chevrolet Bolt EV at 12 percent, Chevrolet Volt at 9 percent and the Ford Fusion Energi and Kia Soul EV, both at 8 percent.

The initiative provides residents with a rebate of up to $2,000 for the purchase or lease of a new electric car from participating dealers. The rebate program supports the state's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030.

In the past year, the state has provided incentives for employers to encourage employees to drive electric vehicles, installed charging stations in public areas, and made $2.2 million available from the Environmental Protection Fund in rebates for municipalities to purchase or lease electric (plug-in hybrid or battery) or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for municipal fleet use, and for the installation of public charging or fuel cell refueling infrastructure.

Carbon emission savings from cars receiving rebates under this initiative are expected to be 115,000 metric tons per year, the equivalent of taking 24,000 cars off the road, the governor's office stated.