Frequently Asked Questions

1. Application Questions

1. How do I apply? No programs are showing up.

To apply:

You must first click Sign In on the top righthand corner of the homepage.
Then select Sign Up, enter your email and select your Profile Type.
For your profile type, if you are applying for a VXC rebate select Applicant.
Then click Register.

2. Is there a checklist I can use to gather my documents and necessary information to apply?

Yes, here is a VXC participant checklist that you can use and print out to gather your documents and necessary information before starting your application.

3. How do I verify my residence in the State of Colorado?

Every applicant must provide proof of a physical Colorado address. All documents must be valid and dated within one year of application. Acceptable proof of address documents include:

Current valid Colorado Driver’s License or ID
Computer-generated bill (utility, credit card, doctor, hospital, etc.)
Printed bank statement
Pre-printed pay stub (from a period within the last 3 months)
First-class mail (from a government agency or court)
Current homeowner's, renter's, or motor vehicle insurance policy
Mortgage, lease, or rental contract
Transcript or report card from an accredited school
Motor vehicle registration
USPS Change of Address Form CNL107
DD Form 214

4. Why must the vehicle fail an emissions test OR have a model year that is at least 12 years old to qualify for this program?

Vehicles that fail emissions testing release higher levels of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. This impacts the air quality of Colorado in addition to the health of Coloradans.

Older vehicles are normally less fuel-efficient than newer vehicles. Furthermore, the average age of light-duty vehicles in the U.S. is approximately 12 years which aligns with this program’s requirement.

5. Why is this program income-qualified?

In part due to cost, many low- to moderate-income people in Colorado have not had access to electric vehicles. The goal of this program is to increase access to electric vehicles and other zero-emissions transportation alternatives by reducing their upfront costs and making cost less of a barrier.

Additionally, this program will benefit all Coloradans by helping reduce greenhouse gas and other harmful air pollutant emissions in the state.

6. Where can I find more information about the VXC Program?

You can find details about the VXC program here.

2. Rebate Questions

1. What kind of rebate is provided through the VXC program?

It will be a point of sale rebate program, which means that the rebate will be applied when the electric vehicle (EV) is purchased in order to reduce the upfront purchase or lease cost.

2. Can the VXC rebate be combined with other electric vehicle rebates and tax credits?

Yes, there are numerous combinations or “stacking” possibilities between EV rebate programs, federal tax credits, and state tax credits. See EV CO to learn more about these rebate programs and tax credits.

3. Are fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) eligible for this rebate?

FCEVs, which are powered using hydrogen, are not currently eligible for VXC rebates. We anticipate that FCEVs will be eligible for VXC rebates once these vehicles become available in Colorado.

3. Vehicle Questions

1. For the old or high-emitting vehicle requirements for VXC, what does “operational” mean?

“Operational” for VXC is defined as the old or high-emitting vehicle must be able to start using the keyed ignition system and through ordinary means (e.g., without the use of starting fluids or external booster batteries).

2. Are motorcycles, RVs, campers, or boats eligible for this program?

Not at this time.

3. What happens to my old or high-emitting vehicle after it is exchanged through the VXC program?

It will be dismantled or “junked” by a vehicle recycler, which includes salvaging usable parts. The vehicle’s engine and body will be destroyed; and the vehicle will not be returned to circulation.

4. Are old or high-emitting vehicles that are exchanged through the VXC program for an EV rebate also eligible for any trade-in value for the participant?

No – any old or high-emitting vehicle exchanged through the Vehicle Exchange Colorado program for a rebate will not be eligible for any trade-in value for the participant outside of the VXC rebate.

5. What should a VXC participant do with the license plates of their old or high-emitting vehicle that they are exchanging through the VXC program?

The VXC participant should remove their license plates from their old or high-emitting vehicle upon exchanging their vehicle through the VXC program. These license plates can be recycled at the VXC participant's local DMV office. Additionally, VXC participants should submit a "Report Release of Liability" form for their old or high-emitting vehicle through the Colorado Department of Revenue's website (see “Vehicle Services” tab).

4. Program Questions

1. What is changing with the VXC program?

Starting November 3, 2025, the State of Colorado is increasing the rebates offered through the VXC program.

The rebate for a new eligible EV will increase from $6,000 to $9,000.
The rebate for a used eligible EV will increase from $4,000 to $6,000.
These rebate changes will not be retroactive, and these are not post-sale rebates.

2. When does this change take effect?

The higher rebate amounts are available for eligible EVs purchased or leased on or after November 3, 2025. They are not retroactive.

3. Why is this change happening now?

This change is happening to help keep EVs affordable for income-qualified Coloradans. The $7,500 federal tax credit for a new EV ended on September 30, 2025. The State of Colorado is proactively increasing the VXC rebates to support Coloradans transitioning to cleaner vehicles.

4. When will this program end?

VXC is part of a 10-year plan that the Community Access Enterprise’s (CAE) board of directors approved in May 2022. SB21-260 established the CAE. This plan covers fiscal years 2022-2023 through 2031-2032.

5. How much does this program cost and where is the money coming from?

VXC is funded by the Community Access Enterprise (CAE), which invests in new and existing programs to advance the adoption of electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and other electric mobility options throughout the state. The CAE has allocated approximately $25.6 million dollars for this program.

6. How are electric vehicles charged?

There are three types of charging options available to electric vehicle drivers: Level 1, Level 2, and direct-current (DC) fast charging. See EV CO to learn more about these different types of charging options.

Note: electric vehicles can be charged through a regular household outlet; however, compatibility with public charging stations varies by connector type. To locate a compatible charging station near you, visit Plugshare.

7. Is there enough vehicle charging infrastructure to support this program?

The State recognizes that vehicle charging infrastructure is essential to ensure a seamless transition to EVs. The State is working with utilities, local governments, and the private sector to build out vehicle charging infrastructure. There are currently over 4,800 Level 2 and DC Fast Charge ports in Colorado. Visit Plugshare to find an EV charger near you.

To learn more about rebates and tax incentives for at-home charging options, please visit EV CO.

8. Why not focus on making gas-powered vehicles more fuel efficient, such as adding catalytic converters to the program?

The state of Colorado’s goal is to have 940,000 EVs on the road by 2030. Studies have shown that, for medium-sized vehicles in the U.S., the lifetime emissions for EVs are 60-68% lower than gas-powered vehicles.

9. What are the health and environmental benefits of electric vehicles?

The transportation sector is one of the largest sources of climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions in the state. This income-qualified program is designed to benefit all Coloradans by helping reduce greenhouse gas and other harmful air pollutant emissions in the state.

The lifetime emissions for medium-sized EVs are 60-68% lower than similarly-sized gas-powered vehicles. Additionally, electric vehicle batteries contain metals that can be reused to create new batteries. See EV CO to learn more about the environmental benefits of EVs.

10. Is this program part of the 2023 Colorado EV Plan?

The State of Colorado has a goal to have 940,000 electric vehicles (EVs) on the road by 2030. Vehicle Exchange Colorado (VXC) is one of many programs that the State is supporting to meet this goal.

5. Other Questions

1. Preguntas Más Frecuentes - Intercambio de Vehículos de Colorado

Preguntas Más Frecuentes - Intercambio de Vehículos de Colorado en español:

Vehicle Exchange Colorado – FAQ (Spanish) - Google Docs

2. Why is my dealership receiving a 1099-NEC?

A 1099-NEC is issued to VXC participating automobile dealerships that are not incorporated when the dealership has redeemed rebates totaling $600 or more in a single calendar year. These forms are mailed annually in January for the previous year to the mailing address on file for your business.