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Although lots of people have heard about federal funding for electric car purchases and leases, there are many other places to look for incentives and discounts to make it easier to buy an EV.
Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC)
The US Department of Energy’s AFDC is a great place to start when looking for incentives at any level. AFDC has a vast database that enables you to search incentives and laws by jurisdiction, technology/fuel, incentive/regulation, and user type (e.g., commercial, personal, etc.). The only downside can be that the language is often pulled directly from the legislation so it might be full of jargon and legalese. However, it’s a great jumping off point and very well maintained.
Utility Companies
We recommend looking at your utility companies to see if they have any incentive programs for EVs. You can search on your utility's website or call/email customer service to gain information about any incentives offered by the company.
For example:
- In Vermont, Stowe Electric offers customers rebates for the purchase or lease of EVs. New plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are eligible for a $750 rebate, new all-electric vehicles are eligible for up to $1,000, and income-qualifying customers are eligible for an additional $250 rebate for either vehicle. Stowe Electric also offers a $300 rebate for the purchase of pre-owned EVs and PHEVs.
- Many utility companies also offer special rates for EV owners who charge at home, dedicated EV time-of-use plans, or demand response programs where ratepayers get credits if they change their charging habits when demand is very high.
Federal Government
The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in 2022, updated and renewed the tax credits available for new EV, and created the very first federal incentives for used EVs. As of May 2025, these credits are still in effect, and can be used at participating dealers as an up-front, time of purchase rebate. Read more about the requirements and rules for the used EV tax credit.
Local Government
It’s important to also look into opportunities via your city and state governments. The AFDC provides overviews at the state and local level, but you can also google your town or county name + “EV incentives” for more information.
For example:
- In New York, thanks to the Drive Clean Rebate, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provides rebates of up to $2,000 for the purchase or lease of a new eligible plug-in electric vehicle. NY also offers an income tax credit for 50 percent of the cost of alternative fueling infrastructure, up to $5,000.
- California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project offers rebates between $1,000-$7,000 for the purchase or lease of qualified vehicles. Low income applicants are eligible for higher incentives, and there is an income requirement to this credit.
- Cincinnati allows EV drivers to park for free at any street or metered parking space in the city on a first-come, first-served basis.
Car Company
Finally, many car companies offer various incentives for their products. These incentives apply mostly to new cars, but many companies offer perks that help you get set up with your new EV, or to charge for free on the road. For instance:
- Chevrolet offers home charging installation for a level 2 with the purchase or lease of a 2023 Bolt EV or EUV, or credits to charge for free at EVgo public charging stations
- Volkswagen’s 2023 ID.4 comes with three years of 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America’s nationwide network of DC fast-charging stations
Additional Resources
Chargepoint has a user-friendly site that allows you to search incentives easily.
Electric for All has a simple site to search for local EV incentives, including utility incentives in your area.
Electrek has a comprehensive list of federal tax credits for EVs as of 2022.
