Colorado VXC Rebate Guide: How to save on an EV at Empire Lakewood Nissan

Colorado VXC Rebate Guide: How to save on an EV at Empire Lakewood Nissan

If you’ve been thinking about trading your aging gas-powered car for an electric vehicle, Colorado’s Vehicle Exchange Colorado program could make that move far more affordable than you might expect. The VXC rebate gives income-qualified Coloradans up to $9,000 off a new EV or $6,000 off a used EV right at the time of purchase or lease—no waiting for tax season. At Empire Lakewood Nissan, Colorado’s #1 volume Nissan dealer for eight years running, we want drivers across Denver, Lakewood, Littleton, Aurora, and Longmont to understand exactly how this program works so they can get the most out of it.

What Is the Colorado VXC Rebate?

Vehicle Exchange Colorado (VXC) is a program run by the Colorado Energy Office that helps income-qualified residents recycle an old or high-emitting vehicle and replace it with an electric vehicle. Unlike a tax credit that you claim months later, VXC is a point-of-sale rebate. It is applied at the dealership when you buy or lease, so it lowers your price on the spot.

The program launched in 2023 and has grown since. On November 3, 2025, the state increased rebate amounts to help fill the gap left when federal EV tax credits ended on September 30, 2025. Current rebate levels are:

• New EV or plug-in hybrid: $9,000 toward a vehicle with an MSRP of $80,000 or less
• Used EV or plug-in hybrid: $6,000 toward a vehicle with a final negotiated price of $50,000 or less, not including destination charges, dealer-added options, taxes, or fees

Both battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are eligible, and leases qualify too as long as the lease term is at least two years.

Who Qualifies for Vehicle Exchange Colorado?

VXC is designed to help Colorado households that might otherwise find an EV out of reach. To qualify, you must:

• Live in Colorado and be 18 years of age or older
• Hold a current, valid Colorado driver license
• Be eligible to purchase or lease a vehicle in Colorado
• Own an eligible old or high-emitting vehicle
• Meet the program’s income requirements

There are two ways to meet the income requirement. Your household income can be below 80% of the area median income for the county where you live, and the Colorado Energy Office publishes a chart with these limits already calculated. Or, you can qualify through enrollment in an assistance program such as Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, SSDI, WIC, LEAP, the CARE program, the Weatherization Assistance Program, RTD LiVE, or the Section 8 voucher program.

If you aren’t enrolled in one of those programs, you can document your income with the first page of your 2024 or 2025 federal Form 1040 or with at least four consecutive weeks of pay stubs that are less than six months old. Only one VXC rebate is allowed per tax household.

Which Vehicles Can You Exchange?

The vehicle you exchange matters just as much as your income. To be eligible, it must be:

• An operational gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle
• 12 model years old or older (model year 2014 or older for a 2026 application), or a vehicle that has failed a Colorado emissions test
• Titled in Colorado solely in your name, with no lien or outstanding loan
• Currently registered with the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles in your name
• Free of a salvage, junk, or dismantled title

Electric vehicles, hybrids, motorcycles, RVs, campers, and boats can’t be exchanged through VXC. Also keep in mind that your old vehicle is retired and recycled through the program, so the rebate takes the place of a traditional trade-in value rather than adding to it.

How to Apply for the VXC Rebate

The most important thing to know is timing. You must be approved before you buy or lease, because VXC rebates are not retroactive and can’t be applied to a vehicle you’ve already purchased. Here’s how the process works:

1. Confirm eligibility: Review the income and vehicle requirements on the Colorado Energy Office’s Vehicle Exchange Colorado page.
2. Gather your documents: You’ll need your driver license, proof of income qualification, proof of a current Colorado address, and details about the vehicle you plan to exchange.
3. Apply online: Submit your application through the Vehicle Exchange Colorado application portal, which you can find at energyoffice.colorado.gov.
4. Get approved: The program team will reach out if anything in your application needs to be corrected.
5. Exchange and save: Bring your approval and your old vehicle to a participating dealer, and the rebate is applied at the point of sale.

If you have questions about your application, the VXC customer service team can be reached at 833-933-9602 or [email protected].

Stack VXC With Colorado’s EV Tax Credit

The state allows VXC participants to combine their rebate with Colorado’s Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit. For 2026, that credit is $750 on a qualifying new EV, with an additional $2,500 available for vehicles with an MSRP under $35,000. That means an income-qualified buyer who chooses an eligible new EV under $35,000 MSRP could receive as much as $12,250 in combined state incentives. Credit amounts for 2027 and beyond are scheduled to change, so ask our finance team for the latest figures before you buy.

A few rules apply when combining incentives. After all other rebates, tax credits, and discounts are applied, the VXC rebate can’t exceed the remaining price of the vehicle. Some utility and local EV rebate programs set their own rules about stacking, so it’s a good idea to check with those programs directly.

Nissan EVs That Fit the VXC Program

Nissan’s electrified lineup fits nicely within VXC’s price limits. The 2026 Nissan LEAF offers trims priced under $35,000 MSRP, making it a strong candidate for both the $9,000 VXC rebate and the full 2026 state tax credit. For drivers who want gas backup for long mountain drives, the 2026 Nissan Rogue Plug-in Hybrid, Nissan’s first plug-in hybrid in the U.S., delivers an EPA-estimated 38 miles of electric range and comes in well under the $80,000 MSRP cap for new vehicles.

Shopping pre-owned? A used LEAF or ARIYA with a final negotiated price of $50,000 or less may qualify for the $6,000 used-EV rebate. We refresh our pre-owned inventory regularly, so stay in touch with our sales team to hear about new arrivals.

Why Shop for Your EV at Empire Lakewood Nissan

At Empire Lakewood Nissan, our customers come first, and we know that rebate programs can feel complicated. Our team will walk you through your options, help you compare models that fit the program’s price limits, and make sure your paperwork is handled correctly. VXC participants can finance their new vehicle, with or without a cosigner, and our finance specialists work with a network of lenders to find a payment plan that fits your budget. Just remember that the VXC participant must be listed as the primary purchaser or lessee.

Prefer to shop from home? We can work with you remotely from start to finish, and our service department is here to keep your EV running at its best for years to come. Since VXC rebates can only be redeemed at an authorized participating dealer, be sure to mention the program when you contact our team.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use the VXC rebate on a lease?

Yes. The VXC rebate can be applied to a lease of a new or used EV or plug-in hybrid, as long as the lease term is at least two years.

Will I get trade-in value for my old vehicle on top of the rebate?

No. Your old vehicle is retired and recycled through the program, so the VXC rebate takes the place of a traditional trade-in value.

Can I apply for VXC after I’ve already bought an EV?

No. You must be approved for the rebate before you purchase or lease. VXC rebates are not retroactive and are not issued after the sale.

Can I finance a vehicle purchased with a VXC rebate?

Yes. You can take out a loan with or without a cosigner, but you must be listed as the primary purchaser or lessee and your name must appear on the EV’s title.

Are plug-in hybrids eligible for VXC?

Yes. Both fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids qualify, whether new or used, as long as they meet the program’s price limits.

Is there a deadline to apply?

The Colorado Energy Office has not announced a fixed end date, but program requirements and rebate levels can change or be canceled without notice and depend on available funding. If you think you qualify, it’s smart to apply sooner rather than later.

Start Your Switch to Electric Today

The Colorado VXC rebate is one of the most valuable EV incentives available to Colorado drivers right now, and pairing it with the state tax credit can put a new Nissan EV well within reach. Call Empire Lakewood Nissan at (303) 232-8881 or visit us at 14707 W Colfax Ave in Lakewood to explore our electric and plug-in hybrid lineup, ask about VXC, and take your first step toward a cleaner, more affordable drive.

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