November 14, 2024
A Comprehensive Guide to Ohio Electrification, EV Rebates & EV Charging Incentives
7 Min. Read
In addition to federal electric vehicle (EV) rebates and tax credits currently available in the U.S., Ohio residents can also take advantage of several utility programs to save even more on EV adoption and EV charging.
In this guide, we will explore how Ohioans can maximize savings for electric vehicles and EV charging and dive into Ohio’s EV charging options and benefits.
Ohio EV Rebates
While there is no state-wide funding for EV rebates in Ohio as of 2024, residents can still take advantage of federal EV charging rebates and tax credits to save on buying an EV and at-home EV charger installations.
Additionally, select cities are offering direct incentives as well. For example, if you work in Columbus, OH, your employer may offer benefits through the Smart Columbus Acceleration Partner program, rewarding employees who drive EVs to work.
Ohio EV Charger Rebates
To help Ohioans save on EV charging, several utilities across the state offer rebates on the installation of an at-home Level 2 EV charger.
Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative
Residential and commercial customers of Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative can qualify for a $200 bill credit for installing a Level 2 EV charger.
Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative
The Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative offers a $250 rebate toward the purchase of a Level 2 EV charger for their customers.
North Central Electric Cooperative
The North Central Electric Cooperative offers a rebate of $250 per Level 2 EV charger to its residential and commercial customers, with a limit of up to six chargers per location.
Firelands Electric Cooperative
As a member of the Firelands Electric Cooperative, you can qualify for a $250 EV charger rebate towards the purchase of a Level 2 EV charger.
Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative
Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative members are eligible for a $250 rebate for the purchase and installation of a Level 2 EV charger.
Midwest Electric
If you get your power through Midwest Electric, you can get a $200 rebate on a Level 2 EV charger.
Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative
The Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative offers a $250 rebate for members who install an at-home Level 2 EV charger.
Darke Rural Electric Cooperative
The Darke Rural Electric Cooperative has a similar program with a $250 rebate toward the cost of the installation of a Level 2 residential EV charger.
Pioneer Electric Cooperative
You can get a $250 rebate toward a Level 2 residential charger with the Pioneer Electric Cooperative.
Union Rural Electric Cooperative
The Union Rural Electric Cooperative also offers a similar sum of $250 as a rebate toward the purchase of a Level 2 EV charger.
Consolidated Cooperative
If you’re a member of the Consolidated Cooperative, you can apply for a $250 rebate toward a Level 2 charger.
Carroll Electric Cooperative
The Carroll Electric Cooperative will give you a $250 rebate toward a Level 2 EV charging station.
The Energy Cooperative
The Energy Cooperative is another Ohio utility with a $250 rebate on Level 2 chargers for customers.
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative
The Butler Rural Electric Cooperative has a program with rebate amounts of up to $1,000 to help offset the cost of buying and installing a residential Level 2 EV charging station.
Ohio EV Charging Rates
Ohio has a deregulated utility market, which allows you to compare the rates of different energy resellers and potentially save on EV charging by choosing the best rate.
You can also save by signing up for a time-of-use plan offered by the following Ohio utilities.
AEP Ohio
As an AEP Ohio customer, you can choose between different time-of-use plans. These include a pilot and a standard whole-home program with discounted off-peak hours for all your energy use. Alternatively, you can install a separate meter for EV charging and sign up for a pilot program or standard program with off-peak EV charging discounts.
With the whole-home and separate-meter pilot programs, you’ll pay $0.01 per kWh all the time, except during on-peak hours from 6 am to 8 pm on weekdays, when you’ll pay a demand rate of $2.14 per kWh.
The whole-home and separate-meter standard programs don’t have an on-peak demand rate, but instead, you’ll pay more per kWh during on-peak hours that last from 6 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 10 pm during the winter and 1 pm to 11 pm during the summer.
On the standard whole-home plan, the on-peak rate is $0.03 per kWh, while the off-peak rate is $0.01 per kWh. The standard separate-meter plan has an on-peak rate of $0.02 per kWh, an off-peak rate of $0.01 per kWh, and a super off-peak rate of $0.007 per kWh from 12 am to 4 am during super-off-peak hours.
The Illuminating Company
The Illuminating Company offers a time-of-use plan with three different rates, depending on electricity demand. During shoulder hours from 6 am to 2 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm, electricity will cost you $0.17 per kWh. During the midday peak from 2 pm to 6 pm, the on-peak rate of $0.22 per kWh will apply.
Lastly, you’ll save the most by switching your energy usage to off-peak hours from 8 pm to 6 am, when you’ll only pay $0.15 per kWh. The off-peak rate will apply throughout the whole day on weekends.
Ohio Edison
Ohio Edison has a similar time-of-use plan and an identical schedule as that of the Illuminating Company. The rates are slightly different since you’ll pay $0.17 per kWh during shoulder hours, $0.21 per kWh during on-peak hours, and $0.15 during off-peak hours and over the weekends.
Toledo Edison
Toledo Edison offers a similar time-of-use plan as the one offered by the Illuminating Company, with three different rates depending on the time of day and anticipated demand.
With shoulder hours of $0.17 per kWh from 6 am to 2 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm, a midday peak of $0.20 per kWh from 2 pm to 6 pm, and off-peak hours of $0.14 from 8 pm to 6 am or weekdays and throughout the whole day on weekends, scheduling your EV charging sessions can help you save significantly.
Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative
If you sign up for the Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative time-of-use plan, you’ll pay $0.30 per on-peak kWh and $0.07 per off-peak kWh. On-peak hours last from 2 pm to 8 pm.
Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative
The Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative offers a time-of-use plan with an off-peak price of $0.06 per kWh from 10 pm to 6 am. You’ll pay $0.14 per kWh outside of these hours.
North Central Electric Cooperative
If you sign up for the North Central Electric Cooperative time-of-use rate, you’ll pay $0.11 per on-peak kWh and $0.07 per off-peak kWh.
On-peak hours last from 2 pm to 10 pm on weekdays in the summer and from 6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 10 pm on weekdays in the winter.
Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative
You can save on EV charging thanks to the Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative time-of-use plan. With this electric rate, you’ll pay $0.10 per on-peak kWh and $0.06 per off-peak kWh.
In the summer, on-peak hours last from 2 pm to 10 pm on weekdays. In the winter, you’ll pay the on-peak rate for the electricity you use between 6 am and 9 am and between 5 pm and 10 pm on weekdays.
Public EV Charging Stations in Ohio
As Ohio’s public charging infrastructure continues to rapidly expand, the state’s Department of Transportation is utilizing NEVI funding to deploy EV charging locations every 50 miles along the interstate system.
The city of Columbus is leading the way in EV adoption in the state of Ohio with its Smart Columbus program, which aims to leverage public-private partnerships to develop workplace and multifamily EV charging.
How Many Public EV Charging Stations Are in Ohio?
Ohio has over 1,600 EV charging station locations, with a total of more than 4,000 ports.
Level 2 EV charging stations account for most of the state’s charging infrastructure, with more than 1,300 stations and 3,000 ports. There are also over 300 DC Fast charging locations with a total of 982 Level 3 EV charger ports.
The Tesla Supercharger network has 50 locations in Ohio with a total of 499 ports.
How Much Does Using Ohio Public EV Charging Stations Cost?
Charging costs vary from one network to another based on the type of charging level and where you are charging. For instance, in Willoughby, OH, using public Level 2 EV charging stations costs $1.40 per kWh, with a minimum fee of $1, while the public EV charging stations at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus are free to use, provided that you pay for parking.
Are There Free Electric Car Charging Stations in Ohio?
Yes, free EV charging stations are available across Ohio, especially near public buildings, or even at popular travel destinations with free charging being offered as a hotel perk, for example.
Where Are Public Charging Stations Located for Electric Cars in Ohio?
Public charging stations in Ohio tend to be located in more urban areas at this time, but you can find an updated view of EV charging locations in Ohio with this EV charging map tool.
