Electric Vehicle Charger/Installation: Rebate and Incentive Programs:

Overview

•  Governments and utilities offer a variety of tax credits, rebates and grants for Electric Vehicle (EV) installation in the US.
•  Incentives are an effective strategy for cities, states and other entities to promote EV adoption locally. For example, cities and states may offer rebates on home EV charger installation to meet sustainability goals and reduce emissions while also encouraging the development of the e-mobility industry.
• There is also a federal tax credit available in the US for 30% of the cost of installing a home or commercial EV charger, with up to $1,000 for home charging. The form for this credit is filed with taxes and is applicable through December 31, 2020 for home chargers bought and installed in 2018, 2019 or 2020.
•  Utilities may offer EV charger rebates to encourage drivers to charge at off-peak times to reduce the load on the electrical grid. Some utilities also offer a utility bill credit for drivers who buy “smart” or WiFi-enabled home EV chargers that can schedule charging at off-peak times.
• Most residential incentives come in the form of rebates for the charging station itself (charging hardware) and/or the installation costs, and these rebates often require that the EV charger be installed by an electrician.
• There may be some additional steps that are required to have an EV home charger installed in an apartment or condo. However, several states, including California, Colorado, Florida, and Oregon, have “right to charge” laws to be able to charge at home.
•  Rebate programs and amounts vary by location. Some rebates are for a flat amount that can range from $75 to as much as $2,500. Other rebates cover a percentage of the EV charger and installation cost, usually up to a fixed amount. Installation costs will also vary based on the existing electrical setup and could range from $400-1,200.
• Programs that offer free EV chargers may monitor charging activity (usually automatically through a smart charger or meter) and may limit to charging at certain times of day.