If you’re looking to a buy a new electric vehicle, it just got $1,000 more expensive in Connecticut.

On Friday, Connecticut rolled back rebates as buyers rush to buy EVs before the $7,500 federal tax credit for many new cars - and $4,000 for used vehicles - ends next month.

Leo Karl III is a big fan of the new Chevy Equinox.

“All-electric,” he said. “Range of about 320 miles on a charge.”

Karl is president of Karl Chevrolet in New Canaan, which has sold electric vehicles for 15 years. But they’ve never seen demand like this.

“Since the federal Big Beautiful Bill was passed and signed, where they’re phasing-out consumer EV incentives as of Sept. 30, there’s been a noticeable uptick,” he said. “Anyone who’s been on the fence, who’s maybe thought about an EV, they’re seizing the opportunity.”

In fact, sales have surged so much that the state of Connecticut can’t keep up.

On Aug. 1, the state rolled back new electric vehicle rebates to $500. Before then, new car buyers received a $1,500 discount, while plug-in hybrids qualified for $750 back.

“EV sales have dramatically ratcheted up since the federal bill was passed,” said Barry Kresch, president of the Electric Vehicle Club of Connecticut. “And so, they would have risked funds depletion. And if that happens, they would have to suspend the program.”

The Rebate+ program for low-income buyers will remain at current levels. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will re-evaluate standard incentives this fall.

“Despite a quickly changing federal landscape for electric vehicles, Connecticut’s CHEAPR rebate remains an incredibly popular and effective incentive to help more drivers get behind the wheel of an EV,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes.

The Trump administration is also clawing back money to build new electric vehicle charging stations. But even without federal dollars, privately-funded chargers are rapidly expanding.

“Charging on this trip, as opposed to our very first trip in 2022, is entirely different,” said Live Green Connecticut executive director Daphne Dixon. “There were a lot more chargers.”

Dixon just completed the annual EV Road Trip – which covers 3,000 miles and 11 states. Her nine-day journey ended on Tuesday at Fodor Farm in Norwalk.

Karl believes that President Trump's foreign tariffs could also slow down EV adoption. Many battery parts are sourced overseas, but more U.S. production is coming online in states like Arizona.

“This is a bump on the road to continuing EV adoption,” he said.

Learn more about CT CHEAP rebates HERE

Learn more about federal IRS tax credits HERE