MassCEC Launches “Ride Clean Mass” to Electrify the Vehicle-for-Hire Industry

Program provides rebates for Uber, Lyft, and taxi drivers to purchase or rent electric vehicles, advancing equity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions across Massachusetts

BOSTON – Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today launched the Ride Clean Mass program, an initiative aimed to help the Vehicle-for-Hire (VFH) industry switch to electric vehicles. The program was developed in collaboration with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), Department of Public Utilities (DPU), and MassDevelopment. The Ride Clean Mass program provides rebates to significantly reduce upfront costs for VFH drivers, particularly those from low- and moderate-income communities.

MassCEC announced the new program at Suffolk Downs, where VFH drivers gathered to test drive electric vehicles, experience charging demonstrations, and engage in discussions with industry experts. The event served as a platform to educate drivers about the new program and provide insights into the personal and environmental benefits of electrification.

“To meet our decarbonization goals, we need solutions that drive real change. This program does exactly that,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Ride Clean Mass helps vehicle-for-hire drivers electrify, delivering support where it’s needed most. This program is a great example of how we can lead the way to a fair, sustainable clean energy future.”

“Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas pollution in Massachusetts, making the electrification of this sector essential to achieving our climate goals,” said Massachusetts Clean Energy Center CEO Emily Reichert. “With Ride Clean Mass, MassCEC is not only helping the Vehicle-for-Hire industry reduce environmental impact but also improving access to clean transportation for high-mileage drivers in communities across the Commonwealth. By lowering upfront costs, we’re creating pathways to EV adoption that contribute meaningfully to equity and public health.”

The program is funded by $6.3 million from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) Massachusetts Climate Protection and Mitigation Expendable Trust. It offers two options for drivers: VFH-Own and VFH-Rent. Under the VFH-Own program, drivers can receive up to $6,500 for purchasing a new electric vehicle (EV) or $2,500 for a used EV. For those who prefer to rent, the VFH-Rent program provides $100 per week for up to four weeks of EV rental.

In addition to the Ride Clean Mass rebates, drivers can leverage existing rebate programs, such as the Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) Program and the Federal EV Tax Credit. With the MOR-EV program, drivers could be eligible for $10,000 or more in state incentives geared toward EV ownership. Ride Clean Mass is designed to complement other MassCEC programs to electrify the transportation sector, including medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, school buses, multimodal transportation, EV charging infrastructure, and equity and community-based initiatives.

This winter, the agency will also expand their support by launching an additional $7.2 million vehicle-for-hire charging station hub program. MassCEC will encourage driver feedback from the Ride Clean Mass program to inform where charging stations are deployed in the upcoming hub program, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to meet the needs of drivers.

To qualify for the Ride Clean Mass incentive, drivers must meet specific minimum mileage and trip requirements, including having driven either 400 trips or 1,800 miles in the most recent quarter and three of the last four quarters.

For more information on Ride Clean Mass, visit https://ridecleanmass.org/. 

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy and climatetech sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits, and to secure long-term economic growth for the people of Massachusetts.