New Incentives Support Electric Vehicle Growth

The Harvester Restaurant in Spangle, WA, is a beacon of small-town warmth for locals and travelers, alike. When one of her customers suggested that co-owner Melissa Bozarth install an electric vehicle (EV) charging station, she called Avista. Four years later, Bozarth believes the EV charging station is a competitive advantage – and the right thing to do for the environment.

“I have customers come in and say, ‘that’s really cool that you have an EV charger’,” Bozarth smiled. “There has not been a noticeable change in our Avista bill from customers charging their cars. And I think, if it gives customers a reason to choose you over someone else, why not install a charger?”

Avista is again seeking to partner with businesses and communities to build out the electric vehicle charging network across eastern Washington as we implement our new Transportation Electrification Plan. The plan also includes a variety of incentives for business and residential customers, as well as tax credits and sales tax exemptions.

Nowadays, more and more people and businesses are buying electric vehicles. It’s a proven technology that not only saves on fuel costs, but also makes a big difference in protecting the environment.

• Commercial EV Charging Equipment Incentive Program – Avista can help install EV charging stations at businesses for customers, employees, or the business’s own fleet. Under this program, Avista will pay for the charger, direct installation costs, and 50% of the premise wiring costs, up to $2,000 per port. Customers are responsible for the remainder of the premise wiring costs. Customers are asked to provide feedback through periodic surveys and work with Avista to understand charging load patterns and off-peak charging feasibility.
• Electric Forklift Incentive Program – Avista is offering an incentive for businesses to buy or lease electric forklifts, making it easy to reap the price, performance, and environmental benefits of electrification. Working through electric forklift dealers across the region, Avista will provide businesses with an “instant rebate” of $2,000 to buy a forklift with lead acid electric batteries, or alternately, a $3,000 incentive to buy one with lithium-ion batteries. In this program, customers are also asked to work with Avista to understand charging load patterns and off-peak charging feasibility.

Additional incentive programs for public airports and school districts, as well as non-profits and other community support organizations are available, as well as a variety of state and federal tax credits and sales tax exemptions.

• Residential EV Charging Equipment Incentive Program – A Level 1 120-volt charger is supplied with most new EVs and plugs into a standard wall outlet. Level 2 chargers use a 240-volt dedicated outlet providing faster charging to meet the needs of longer range EVs. Under this program, Avista will pay for the Level 2 charger, direct installation costs, and 50% of the premise wiring costs, up to $1,000. Customers are responsible for the remainder of the premise wiring costs. They are also asked to provide feedback through periodic surveys and to program vehicles to charge during off peak hours whenever possible. Additionally, some state and federal tax credits and sales tax exemptions apply to residential EV customers.

Electric transportation can provide impactful, low-cost, and sustainable ways to serve those in need with services, such as non-emergency medical services, food deliveries and ridesharing. Avista is actively seeking partnerships with community service agencies and non-profits, to bring the benefits of electric vehicles to disadvantaged groups across eastern Washington. These partnerships may include installing charging infrastructure, implementing pilot programs, or piloting innovative ridesharing and car-sharing services for low-income communities and individuals.

Customer education is a key component of Avista’s Transportation Electrification Plan. In addition to a wealth of information available online, Avista has partnered with Spokane Public Libraries to create “EV Experience Centers”. The first center will open in the Shadle Park Library (2111 W. Wellesley Ave, Spokane) later this month.