11/3/2016
Many are aware of the federal and state incentives for purchasing clean vehicle technologies, where drivers can save up to $10,000 on the purchase price of an electric vehicle.
But what some don’t know is that there are also federal, state, and local electric utility incentives for installing electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE), including home charging stations.
Home charging station incentives are a bit more complicated and vary by state and utility provider. Below we’ve broken down the basics about the options available to California residents. If you don’t live in California, Clipper Creek has also done a great job of summarizing the incentives for states across the nation.
Home Charging Station Incentives Overview
FEDERAL: The Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit program offers a tax credit to homeowners equal to 30% of the cost to purchase and install electric fueling stations. Permits and inspection fees are not included in eligible costs.
- Incentive type: Tax credit
- Max amount: $1,000
CALIFORNIA: Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing allows homeowners to borrow funds to install a variety of energy improvements in their homes including EV charging stations. The PACE loan terms and amount are determined by a special property assessment of the individual’s home. PACE programs are run locally. Check with your municipality to see if they offer PACE financing.
- Incentive type: Special financing
- Max amount: Loan amount up to 15% of the first $700,000 of the homeowner’s property value, plus 10% of the remaining property value above $700,000
ANAHEIM PUBLIC UTILITIES: Offers Personal Use Electric Vehicle Charging Station Rebates to residential customers who install Level 2 (240V) charging stations in their homes, pending fund availability.
- Incentive type: rebate
- Max amount: $500
BURBANK WATER AND POWER: Offers Residential Charging Station Rebates to customers who install Level 2 (240V) charging stations in their homes.
- Incentive type: Rebate
- Max amount: $500
PASADENA WATER AND POWER: This incentive is for customers who install a Level 2 (240V) “wall mounted” or “hardwired” charging station at their residence.
- Incentive type: Credit
- Max amount: $400 credit issued to your electric utility bill
Larger utility companies including SCE, SDG&E, and PG&E all offer rebates for EVSE installations, but only for commercial buildings and/or multi-unit dwellings. These utility companies are also heavily invested in their own public charging infrastructure programs that are currently already approved (SCE and SDG&E) or pending approval (PG&E).
Installing a home charging station may or may not be the best option for you, even given the suite of incentives laid out above. The cost of the station itself plus its installation is roughly $1,000 but can be much higher if your home requires an electrical upgrade or new conduit. If you don’t plan on staying in your home for the next few years, it may not be worth the investment or the hassle.
On the other hand if you are a renter, multi-unit dweller, or you don’t have a designated parking spot, you probably won’t be able to install a home charging station.
No matter what side of the equation you fit into — home station owners or EV drivers without home charging — EVmatch is a resource for you. We allow communities to share existing charging resources and support more EVs on the road.
