Krista Cortese, her husband and their toddler were making due with the 2003 Mazda hatchback that they got years ago from a neighbor. But the Seattle family was spending $230 a month on average for gas and maintenance. It was costly and Cortese didn’t like using fossil fuels to get around.

“We’ve definitely been thinking about getting an electric car for two years now, but we’re pretty low income,” she said. “We’re both artists.”

There was a state sales tax break and a federal tax credit to cut the price, but electric vehicles were still out of reach.

Then came this summer’s launch of the Washington EV Instant Rebates Program, a first-of-its kind program nationally that provides rebates at the time of purchase for income-eligible consumers who buy or lease a new or used EV.

The Corteses were at the Campbell Nissan lot in nearby Edmonds at 9 a.m. on Aug. 1, the first day the program took effect. After all of the discounts were factored in, they drove away with a black, new 2024 Nissan Leaf SV Plus for $102 per month under a three-year lease.

“It’s so cute!” Cortese enthused.

Nineteen days into the effort, lower-income residents in Washington had bought or leased more than 1,000 EVs and roughly $8 million of the $45 million available for rebates had been issued. About 70% of the deals have been three-year leases — which is the most cost-effective option for consumers.

“We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response,” said Steven Hershkowitz, clean transportation managing director for the Washington State Department of Commerce, which is administering the program. “This is having its intended effect so far.”

Washington leaders have been strong proponents of the shift to electric vehicles. Following California’s lead, the state is requiring all new vehicles sold here to be zero carbon emissions by 2035, including passenger cars, light-duty vehicles, and medium-duty vehicles such as larger pick-up trucks and SUVs. Last month, 16% of new vehicle registrations in the state were EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The fraction of EV sales have been climbing in the state over time, but the purchases have largely been Teslas bought by more affluent consumers. There are now more affordable EVs available, and the new rebate aims for more equitable access.