HOLYOKE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- A AAA spokesperson said last month that Massachusetts drivers aren’t saving much money on electric vehicles because of higher electricity rates in the state.

“In Massachusetts, we have higher electricity rates, so you actually aren’t really saving a ton on money driving an EV,” Mark Schieldrop said as gas prices continue to surge.

However, one local car dealer said new incentives and discounts are making electric vehicles more affordable. Gary Rome, owner of Gary Rome Hyundai, says EVs can actually cost less up front than gas cars with federal changes, state rebates, and dealer incentives. “When they took away the federal rebate of $7,500, the manufacturers lowered the price of the cars by $7,500 and then there’s other incentives and rebates on there now up to $10,000, so an electric vehicle is sometimes less expensive,” he explained.

Rome added, on top of those discounts, Massachusetts has its own $5,000 rebate program, MOR-EV, which can bring down the cost even more for qualifying buyers. “If you qualify for that you can buy a $55,000 car for $18,000 and it’s certified and it comes with a 10-year warranty,” he noted.

Rome said, as gas prices stay high, he is seeing more people make the move to electric. More drivers are taking a second look at electric vehicles not just for the environment, but for the price tag.