Welcome!


Welcome to the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program's Charge Ahead Pre-qualification Application!

The Charge Ahead Rebate provides low- to moderate-income households a $5,000 rebate toward the purchase or lease of eligible new or used zero-emission vehicles. To see if you meet the income requirements for your area before you begin the application process, please use the linked Income Eligibility website.

This application process allows you to get pre-approved for a Charge Ahead rebate prior to purchase or lease. If approved, you will receive a Charge Ahead voucher which can be applied to the purchase or lease of a NEW eligible vehicle at the point of sale or lease at any participating dealership. Pre-approval for used vehicles is expected in late 2023. Rebate availability depends on program funding at the time of vehicle purchase or lease.

To learn more about eligible vehicles, applying for a used vehicle, other eligibility requirements, and/or which dealers participate in the program, please visit the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program's website. If you have questions about the process, please email ChargeAheadPrequalification@DEQ.oregon.gov.

Please note: Due to overwhelming demand and limited funding, rebates will be suspended as of May 1, 2023. Any vehicles purchased or leased on or after May 1, 2023 will not be eligible to apply for the rebate once the program reopens. If you apply for the voucher now and do not redeem it before May 1, 2023, DEQ may renew your unused voucher to be used once funding is replenished. Once funding is available again, the program will announce its reopening.

How it works:

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) reviews Charge Ahead Prequalification applications for eligibility based on household income. Applicants can either provide proof of enrollment in another public assistance program, or authorize the Oregon Department of Revenue to review your household's Oregon state tax transcripts and to verify eligibility.

Before getting started, please make sure you have the following documents ready, as they will help you complete the process. The application cannot be saved and returned to at a later time.

  1. Applicant Oregon driver's license
  2. Proof of current enrollment in a public assistance program, if available. Accepted programs include:
    • Oregon Health Plan / Medicaid
    • SNAP: EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer)
    • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
    • Free & Reduced-Price Lunch
    • HUD Housing Choice Voucher
    • LIHEAP (Home Energy Assistance)
    • Employment Related Daycare (ERDC)
    • Women Infants and Children (WIC)
    • TriMet reduced fare program for low-income rider
    • Individual Development Account (IDA) holders
If you do not participate in one of the listed public assistance programs, please have your Oregon State taxes available. You will need the adjusted gross income for the applicant and each household member over 18. This will be used by the Oregon Department of Revenue to confirm the identity of each taxpaying individual. The adjusted gross income is found on form OR-40, line 7 of your most recent Oregon Income Tax transcript.

Before proceeding, please answer the following question:

Do you have an Oregon drivers license?


State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

Phone: 503-863-4839

Email: ChargeAheadPrequalification@DEQ.oregon.gov

Non-discrimination Statement

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, or sex in administration of its programs or activities. DEQ does not intimidate or retaliate against any individual or group because they have exercised their rights to participate in actions protected, or oppose action prohibited, by 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7, or for the purpose of interfering with such rights.

For more information visit Civil Rights, Environmental Justice and Accessibility web page.