Alliy Sahagun was always an electric vehicle test driver, but never an owner. As an employee with Gunnison County Electric Association, she shared the benefits of electric vehicle (EV) ownership with community members on test drives and through the association’s loaner program, all the while thinking she wouldn’t have the chance to buy one.
That changed when she and her husband ran the numbers and took advantage of the Vehicle Exchange Colorado (VXC) Program, which helps income-qualified residents trade in older or high-emitting vehicles for rebates toward a new or used EV. Unique to Colorado, VXC provides financial support for drivers who want to make the switch but need help covering the cost.
“The initial sticker price [of an EV] is expensive, but people would be surprised [to learn] that once all the numbers are crunched, it’s quite affordable,” says Sahagun, who now cruises around Gunnison and western Colorado in a 2025 Hyundai Ionic 5 SEL SUV.
How the Vehicle Exchange Colorado program works
When Sahagun traded in her 2009 Ford Fusion, the process was fast and “super easy,” she says. It involved a straightforward five-step process with minimal hoops: first, she confirmed her eligibility and gathered the necessary materials, including contact information, proof of a Colorado address, a driver’s license, proof of income, and details about her older, high-emitting car. Then she submitted the application, received approval, and completed the trade-in with a participating dealer.
And the timing for future VXC applicants couldn’t be better. Starting Nov. 3, the state is increasing the rebate amount for new and used electric vehicles to $9,000 and $6,000, respectively.
For Sahagun, the experience at the dealership was also surprisingly smooth. Dealers were extremely knowledgeable about EVs and offered a variety of lease options to help lower the cost. Living in Gunnison, she traveled to the Arapahoe Hyundai dealership in Denver after other options didn’t feel right and she found an attractive lease offer online. With all-wheel drive and 290 miles of range, the car was “too good to be true,” said Sahagun.
“My encouragement to anybody thinking about an EV is to be open to any option,” advises Sahagun. By keeping an open mind to models, dealerships, and lease options, the opportunities for a car that fits a certain driver or family’s lifestyle increases significantly.
Mountain living with an EV
Sahagun’s old car was showing its age, with issues like a stuck seat and a jerky transmission. Like many EV drivers, Sahagun raves about the smoothness and comfort of her vehicle. She enjoys a sense of calm on the road and loves the “fast, zippy, and smooth” ride.
“My kids are like ‘wow, this is like riding a spaceship!’” she adds.
Spaceships are known for going long distances, and that is becoming truer by the day for EVs. Drivers can have what Sahagun calls “range anxiety” for longer trips; however, models have greatly improved and Colorado’s charging infrastructure is quickly growing. Despite living in a rural mountain town, charging for regional travel is easy, Sahagun says. On the way home from Denver, her family spent time in Salida while the car charged, and recently she let it charge at Sam’s Club in Grand Junction while she shopped. Now she’s planning to upgrade from the level 1 charger that came with her Hyundai to a level 2 charger in her garage.
One myth that persists about EVs is that they’re for city drivers. The market started strong with sedan models that had limited ranges. But recently, car manufacturers are expanding to truck and SUV models with long ranges that are ideal for those wanting to take them through Colorado’s mountainous or snowy terrain.
Plus, mountain town living is costly. EVs provide an attractive and cheaper alternative to fueling up at the gas station.
“I’m paying a lot less to charge my EV than I was paying with gas, and I don’t have to go for an oil change,” says Sahagun. “That’s time out of my day that I get back now.”
More information
Thinking about a new or used EV? Reach out to CLEER, the West Central coach for ReCharge Colorado. Whether you have questions about the VXC rebate, other state incentives, or charging at home or in an apartment, a coach can walk you through the whole process.
