You've raised some important points about the equity and effectiveness of EV incentives. The concern around incentives primarily aiding wealthier demographics is valid. Indeed, the current structure often benefits those who are already in the market for a new vehicle, inadvertently excluding lower-income groups.
To address this, incentive programs could be restructured to include stronger incentives for lower-cost models, or even focus on used EV markets, making clean vehicles more attainable for a broader range of buyers. Additionally, implementing income-based incentives could ensure the benefits are more equitably distributed.
As for whether these programs are outdated, while hybrid technology is becoming more mainstream, there's still a push needed to transition fully to EVs for significant environmental benefits. This may suggest revisiting the focus of incentives towards full electrification as opposed to hybrids.
Adjustments towards a more inclusive and targeted approach could enhance the environmental impact while ensuring broader access to these benefits.