Delaware Drivers are Saving Money With Electric Vehicles

Delawareans looking to help fight climate change and reduce their carbon footprint can receive rebates for new electric vehicle and charging station purchases through DNREC’s Clean Transportation Incentive Program, which has been extended through June 30, 2021.

“Transportation is a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Delaware,” said Gov. John Carney. “Vehicle electrification is a leading strategy in reducing those emissions, and by providing rebates to residents and businesses we are improving the air quality for a healthier Delaware.”

Rebates for the purchase or lease of electric vehicles and charging stations include:

• $2,500 for battery electric vehicles, including vehicles with range extenders, with a purchase price of $60,000 or less;
• $1,000 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles with a purchase price of $60,000 or less;
• Up to 90% of the cost of the charging station with a max amount of $3,500 per port/$7,000 per station.

The program provides cash rebates as part of Delaware’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gases and improving Delaware’s air quality.

“The Clean Transportation Incentive Program has been well-received across Delaware,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “Since DNREC started this program, almost 5,000 rebates have been given to Delaware residents and businesses that have adopted cleaner fueled vehicles, like electric vehicles.”

Rebates are also available for natural gas and propane vehicles. Delaware’s Clean Transportation Incentive Program is made possible through Delaware’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). More information can be found at de.gov/cleantransportation.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy uses science, education, policy development and incentives to address Delaware’s climate, energy and coastal challenges. For more information, visit the website and connect with DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, Michael.globetti@delaware.gov or Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov.

Thousands of Highmark 2019 plan participants and groups to receive checks

After announcing a reduction of Delaware Health Insurance Marketplace rates for the upcoming enrollment year, Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro has more good news for residents who purchase insurance on the Delaware Health Insurance Marketplace, those who purchase Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware plans outside of the exchange in the individual market, and for Highmark small group policyholders, announcing more than $21.5 million in rebates for 2019 participants.

“Now, more than ever, we need to make sure that every resident and small business can afford the health insurance they need for their families and employees. These rebates, combined with the ACA health insurance rate reduction for the coming year, do just that,” said Commissioner Navarro. “This is just one of many ways we are working to reduce the cost-of-care our residents experience in the health care system.

For the first time in the history of Delaware’s individual health insurance market, more than $12.6 million will be returned to 19,273 policyholders, with the average rebate being $656. Highmark small groups, often small businesses, will receive more than $8.8 million in cumulative return. 2,779 groups will receive an average rebate of $3,198, with more than 175 groups receiving rebates over $10,000. Employers can consider using these dollars to enhance benefits, reduce premiums for employees in future policy years or provide refunds directly to group health plan participants.

Communications will be sent to policyholders in September and checks for both individual policyholders and small groups will be sent the week of September 21. Those in the individual market with rebate questions can contact Highmark at 800-544-6679. Small group employers with rebate questions can contact their insurance producer, or Highmark at 800-241-5704.

These rebates are required by the Delaware Department of Insurance according to Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) measurements set by the Affordable Care Act, which are meant to ensure that insurers are spending a majority of premiums on health claims and clinical services, not taking those dollars for profit or administrative expenses. The rebate system creates balance when data shows that this ratio was off in a previous year. Not every policy will receive a rebate. MLR review for the 2020 plan year will shine a light on changes in insurance usage due to COVID-19 and will be released in 2021.

On August 31, Commissioner Navarro announced the Delaware Health Insurance Marketplace would see an average decrease in rates of 1% for individual plans. Highmark small group plans will see an average premium decrease of 3%.

Rebates help reduce cost of purchasing environmentally-friendly vehicles

DOVER – In response to Delawareans’ growing demand for cleaner fuel and electric vehicles, DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy announced today that Delaware’s Clean Transportation Incentive Program will continue to offer rebates to drivers and businesses statewide toward the purchase or lease of electric and alternative fuel vehicles and charging stations through Dec. 31, 2020.

“Reducing transportation-related emissions is key to reaching our greenhouse gas reduction goal,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Electric vehicles are a smart choice for citizens and businesses alike, and the Clean Transportation Incentive Program is helping Delaware drivers change from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives that reduce air pollution.”

Since 2015, the program has provided rebates totaling $4.6 million to more than 1,500 purchasers of electric vehicles, propane and natural gas-fueled vehicles, and electric vehicle charging stations.

Electric vehicle charging station rebates cover between 75 to 90 percent of the cost of a Level 2 charging station. These rebates apply to businesses, workplaces, and publicly-accessible charging locations and multi-family residences, including apartment complexes, townhomes and condominiums operated by a commercial entity, and government or nonprofit organizations. In 2020, the program will no longer offer rebates for single-family home charging stations.

Rebate amounts for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, updated for 2020, include $2,500 for battery-electric vehicles, and $1,000 for plug-in hybrid vehicles. Rebates for electric vehicles are available only to battery and plug-in hybrids with a purchase price of $60,000 or less.

The program also offers rebates for the purchase or lease of propane or natural gas vehicles. Rebates include $1,500 for dedicated propane or natural gas vehicles, $1,350 for bi-fuel propane or natural gas vehicles, and $20,000 for heavy duty dedicated natural gas trucks.

Funding for the Clean Transportation Incentive Program is made possible through Delaware’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The program was designed to help with the initial cost of transitioning to lower-carbon, lower-pollution vehicles, making it easier for Delaware drivers to choose vehicles that produce less or no tailpipe emissions, reducing both unhealthy pollution and the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

Delaware has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions 28 percent by 2025 from 2005’s baseline. Transportation is now the largest single source of emissions in Delaware, responsible for 35 percent of our carbon emissions in 2016, the latest year for which data is available.

For more information on Delaware’s Clean Transportation Incentive Program, contact Breanne Preisen, Clean Transportation Project Specialist, at 302-735-3366, or visit de.gov/cleantransportation.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Delaware drivers and businesses choose environmentally-friendly, money-saving vehicles

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal & Energy today announced that the state’s popular Clean Transportation Incentive Program will be extended through Dec. 31, 2019 in response to Delawareans’ rising demand for cleaner fuel and electric vehicles. Rebate amounts will remain the same, but eligibility requirements will be updated slightly for clarity and flexibility. Changes will take effect July 1.

“The Clean Transportation Incentive Program has been well-received across Delaware,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “When DNREC started this program, we hoped to assist at least 100 drivers in making the cleaner, more cost-effective vehicle choice. Three years later, we have exceeded that target seven times over. Electric and cleaner fuel vehicles are a smart choice for citizens and businesses alike.”

Launched in July 2015, the Clean Transportation Incentive Program has provided rebates to more than 750 Delaware drivers across all three counties for the purchase or lease of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The program has also provided more than 200 rebates for electric vehicle charging stations at residential and commercial properties and workplaces. The program was designed to help Delaware drivers choose vehicles that produce less or no tailpipe emissions, reducing both unhealthy pollution and the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change.

Rebates for the purchase or lease of cleaner fuel vehicles are:

• $3,500 for battery electric vehicles under $60,000 MSRP
• $1,500 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles with gasoline range extenders under $60,000 MSRP
• $1,000 for battery and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles over $60,000 MSRP
• $1,500 for dedicated propane or natural gas vehicles
• $1,350 for bi-fuel propane or natural gas vehicles
• $20,000 for heavy-duty dedicated natural gas trucks

Rebates are also available for electric vehicle charging stations for homes, businesses, and workplaces.

Delaware’s Clean Transportation Incentive Program is made possible through Delaware’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). For more information, visit de.gov/cleantransportation.

Media Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 48, No. 163

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