One of the advantages of switching from gas to electric vehicles is having the choice to charge and refuel at home according to your own preferred schedule. Statistics from recent studies indicate that over 80% of EV owners charge their vehicles at home. Having convenient access to lower electricity rates and being able to start the day with a fully charged battery are among the more obvious perks of charging at home.
Apart from larger scale and more general electric vehicle incentives, the governments of various states in the US offer incentive and rebate programs that are specifically for the purchase and installation of EV charging equipment.
EVSE Rebates
The term EVSE stands for “Electric Vehicle Service Equipment”, which includes electric vehicle chargers and charging stations. The EVSE Rebate is typically the same as rebate for an electric vehicle charging station, unless the rebate or tax credit program offers rebates specifically for other items also categorized under EVSE, such as installation of the charging equipment.
EV Car and Charger Rebates
There are also incentive programs offering rebates and tax credits for electric cars from various manufacturers, including Tesla, Nissan LEAF, Chevrolet, as well as hybrid models, such as Ford Hybrid, and as well for EV charging stations. In some cases, such incentives apply only if the new electric vehicles are purchased from licensed auto dealers.
Federal Tax Credits VS. Rebates
In many cases, tax credits will be offered by utilities or municipalities for an EV charger or charging station instead of cash rebates. Tax credit incentives are essentially dollar value subtracted from the final amount owed when taxes are to be paid. This type of tax credit incentive is available to most consumers across the country, usually covering 30% and up to $1,000 of the purchase and installation costs of new electric vehicle charging equipment.
Terms of tax credits can vary in different parts of the country, but they typically apply to tax filings for the year in which the EV charging equipment was purchased. It is recommended to check with the administrator or office of the incentive program for details and terms that apply, before actually buying your charger.
Rebate Amounts
EVSE tax credits and rebates offered can vary in sizes and amounts. They can be from relatively small incentives under 50 dollars, to up to nearly the cost of popular EV charger models or charging stations, so consumers are able to purchase such EV charging equipment for a fraction of their original price.
Regional EV Equipment Incentives
In addition to the various incentives mentioned, EV owners may be eligible for more tax credit and rebate programs in various US states that can further reduce the cost of purchasing and installing home charging equipment for EVs. With such incentives averaging at around $500 per case, consumers can enjoy the convenience of home charging with a much lower investment.
Incentives by State
There are a variety of incentive programs across the US specifically for EV charging and vehicles. These programs can change quite often, and we recommend doing some initial research on ones that are available in your area, as well as their latest statuses. You can also find more information on incentives in different regions via the database of the US Department of Energy, with details on state and utility-sponsored rebate and tax credit programs.
To encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and the development of EV charging infrastructure, a number of states in the US have robust and comprehensive incentive programs in place, while EV owners can take advantage of these programs to lower their costs significantly.
California
California remains a leader in promoting EV adoption and the states offers an extensive number of incentives. There are generous rebates for home and workplace charging stations, with the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) being one of the major programs. Additionally, California also offers grant programs, utility incentives, and aims to build thousands of charging stations across the state.
New York
Several incentives for EV charging are available in the state of New York, including the Charge Ready NY program – whereby rebates are offered for the installation of publicly accessible charging stations. There are also tax credits for investments in EV charging infrastructure, and local initiatives to support charging infrastructure in residential units.
New Jersey
The Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Rebate program in New Jersey provides rebates for the purchase and installation of EV charging equipment. There are also grants available in the state for the setup of public and workplace charging stations.
Massachusetts
The state of Massachusetts has a comprehensive range of incentives. These include rebates offered for residential and workplace charging stations. There are also grants offered to state agencies and private organizations for installing public charging stations.
Hawaii
Hawaii offers rebate programs for the installation of both home and workplace charging stations, namely through the EV Ready Rebate Program. There are also state initiatives to encourage the development of public charging infrastructure and adoption of electric vehicles in the state.
Currently, these states have been proactive in offering incentive programs for EV charging and the relevant infrastructure, while other states may also have their individual programs. It is recommended to check with the local authorities for the most updated information and details.