October 24, 2024
Pennsylvania Electric Vehicle Tax Credits, Rebates, and Incentives
8 Min. Read
While it may have once been known as the Oil State, Pennsylvania is now helping to lead the charge in sustainability and EV adoption.
As a resident living in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, driving an electric vehicle (EV) is more affordable than you might think. Thanks to generous EV tax credits, rebates, and incentives, you can take advantage of Pennsylvania’s Alternative Fuel Vehicle rebate in addition to other incentives provided through your utility company, such as rebates on electrification technologies and time-of-use rates to save on your electric bill with strategic EV charging.
In this article, we explore the different programs available to help you maximize your electrification savings and get the most out of your EV investment.
Pennsylvania Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate
To encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, the state of Pennsylvania is offering rebates on the purchase or lease of a new or used EV. This program has recently been updated and is now providing higher rebate amounts to further make the transition to electric vehicles accessible to residents throughout the state.
If they meet the program’s income eligibility requirements, drivers can qualify for the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate of up to $2,000 when buying or leasing a new or one-time used electric vehicle or electric truck, however, in order to qualify, a used EV’s selling price also cannot exceed $45,000.
In addition to the $2,000 rebate, you can also get another rebate of $1,000 toward purchasing/leasing a new or used EV if you meet an additional income threshold based on your household size. You can check the program’s official requirements for more information on income thresholds based on household size.
If you’re considering buying or leasing a plug-in hybrid car or truck, you can qualify for a $1,500 rebate under this program. Additionally, Pennsylvania residents are eligible for a $500 rebate toward an electric motorcycle as well.
The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate can be paired alongside federal EV charging rebates and tax credits to further maximize your savings.
Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant
As a state-level program, the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant awards funding in the form of grants to businesses and non-profits to support their electrification projects, with a total of $500,000 currently available in funding for 2024 grants.
Keep in mind that this is subject to change as current funding is allocated and that new funding may arise to support these grants.
Pennsylvania EV Rebates
There are currently two Pennsylvania utilities that offer a cash incentive for drivers who make the switch to driving an electric vehicle:
Duquesne Light Co
The Duquesne EV Bonus Cash program offers its commercial and residential customers $50 of EV Bonus Cash as a direct deposit or gift card just for letting the utility know that you drive electric. You can receive $50 for each plug-in EV that you own or lease!
PECO
Similarly, PECO customers can also qualify for a $50 driver rebate per car from the utility just by letting them know that you are now driving an EV.
Pennsylvania EV Charger Rebates
In addition to federal savings and state-specific rebates on the purchase or lease of an actual electric vehicle, Pennsylvania residents can also save with their at-home EV charger installation thanks to utility rebates from four utilities in the state.
Adams Electric Cooperative Inc.
If you live in one of the five counties where the Adams Electric Cooperative operates, you can qualify for a $300 bill credit when you install a Level 2 EV charger in your home and connect it to a subpanel that the utility can control remotely.
Central Electric Coop Inc.
As a Central Electric Cooperative residential customer, you can earn a $100 rebate simply for installing an at-home Level 2 EV charger.
Northwestern Rural ECA, Inc
The Northwestern Rural ECA offers a similar program, allowing you to earn a $150 rebate for upgrading your home with the installation of a Level 2 EV charging station.
PECO Commercial Rebate
PECO is issuing grants to support commercial and public EV charging projects. Your electrification project can qualify for a grant that will cover up to 50% of the total cost, with a $60,000 cap for most projects, but keep in mind that the decision to award the grant is up to the utility and you will need to apply for this funding.
EV Charging Rates in Pennsylvania
Alongside Pennsylvania rebates for installing EV chargers, several Pennsylvania utilities also offer time-of-use and off-peak electricity rates that can help you save on EV charging costs by offering a lower electricity rate per kWh when you charge your vehicle at set times when the demand for electricity tends to be lower.
Installing a smart charger or smart electrical panel to control your charging times can further help you to take advantage of these rates.
Adams Electric Cooperative, Inc.
The Adams Electric Cooperative offers customers a great way to save on energy costs. By installing a separate subpanel, you can receive a reduction of over 50% on your electric bill for any electricity flowing through the subpanel. Instead of paying $0.08 kWh for charging, you’ll only pay $0.03 per kWh.
While devices connected to the subpanel may experience brief interruptions during peak demand, the cooperative installs the off-peak meter on your subpanel for free, making this an excellent opportunity to optimize your energy usage and reduce costs on your electric bill.
Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.
As a residential customer of the Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative, you can enroll in the utilities’ time-of-use program which offers lower rates in the middle of the day and during the night.
On-peak hours last from 7 am to 11 am and 1 pm to 9 pm and come with a $0.30 per kWh summer rate and $0.23 per kWh winter rate. However, with their time-of-use program, you’ll only pay $0.07 per kWh year-round during off-peak hours, which last from 11 am to 1 pm, from 9 pm to 7 am on weekdays, and for 24 hours over the weekend.
Duquesne Light Co
Instead of paying the standard default rate of $0.08 per kWh, you can sign up for the Duquesne Light Co time-of-use plan and save during off-peak and super-off-peak hours.
On the time-of-use plan, the on-peak rate is $0.10 per kWh between the hours of 1 pm and 9 pm. Off-peak hours last from 6 am to 1 pm and 9 pm to 11 pm and cost $0.06 per kWh. During super-off-peak hours, from 11 pm to 6 am, you’ll pay only $0.05 per kWh.
FirstEnergy Corporation
FirstEnergy Corporation operates four smaller utilities in Pennsylvania with their own independent service territories and unique time-of-use programs.
If you’re a Met-Ed customer, you’ll pay $0.27 per kWh from 2 pm to 9 pm during on-peak hours, $0.13 per kWh during off-peak hours between 6 am to 2 pm and again from 9 pm to 11 pm, and $0.11 from 11 pm to 6 am during super-off-peak hours.
Penelec offers a time-of-use program with an on-peak rate of $0.27 from 2 pm to 9 pm. You’ll pay $0.15 per kWh from 6 am to 2 pm and 9 pm to 11 pm during off-peak hours, and $0.13 during super-off-peak hours from 11 pm to 6 am.
PennPower’s time-of-use program includes on-peak hours from 2 am to 9 pm, off-peak hours from 6 am to 2 pm and 9 to 11 pm, and super-off-peak hours from 11 pm to 6 am. You’ll pay $0.26 per on-peak kWh, $0.13 per off-peak kWh, and $0.11 per super-off-peak kWh.
West Penn Power offers a similar program with rates of $0.21 per kWh from 2 pm to 9 pm during standard on-peak hours, $0.11 per kWh from 6 am to 2 pm and 9 pm to 11 pm during off-peak hours, and $0.10 per kWh from 11 pm to 6 am during super-off-peak hours.
Public EV Charging Stations in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania currently has over 1,800 public charging stations. The size of this public charging infrastructure is set to more than double in the next few years as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation oversees the development of over 2,000 new charging stations at 800 sites throughout the state by 2028.
What Type of Public EV Charging Stations Are Available in Pennsylvania?
The 1,800 public EV charging stations currently spread across the state include over 1,500 Level 2 EV charging stations with 3,500 connectors and more than 290 DC Fast charging locations with over 1,200 combined EV charging ports.
The state also has a total of 87 Tesla Supercharger locations with over 800 ports.
How Much Do Public EV Charging Stations Cost in Pennsylvania?
The cost of public EV charging varies based on the network and level of charging.
For instance, the municipal charging station installed by Quakertown only costs $2 for the first hour of charging and $1 per hour after that.
Are There Free Electric Car Charging Stations in Pennsylvania?
There are several free EV charging stations across the state, offered at places such as Pennsylvania state parks and state forests where free EV charging stations are available for guests and tourists to use.
Some municipalities also provide free EV charging, typically located near local government buildings. Additionally, some businesses and attractions, such as Hersey Park and Chocolate World, provide free EV charging as an amenity while guests enjoy the park.
Where Are Public Charging Stations Located for Electric Cars in Pennsylvania?
You’ll find a higher concentration of charging options in large cities, such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or Harrisburg.
You can use this EV charging station map to get a better idea of where you’re likely to find options for public EV charging in Pennsylvania.
Qmerit is the #1 Most Trusted EV Charger Installer in Pennsylvania
With savings available from the Pennsylvania Alternate Fuel Vehicle Rebate, alongside the rapidly growing rate of EV adoption, there’s never been a better time to make the switch to electrification.
The cost savings created by adopting clean, sustainable energy are just the start of the benefits you’ll see, and by partnering with a qualified electrician who can tailor an EV charger installation to your specific needs, you can maximize these benefits even more.
As North America’s most trusted and largest network of certified EV charger installers, Qmerit is recommended by automakers, EV charger manufacturers, utilities, businesses, and homeowners alike. Rated #1 in customer satisfaction, our expert network has installed over 770,000 EV charging stations across the U.S. and Canada.
Discover how Qmerit is paving the way forward for residential EV charger installation and whole-home electrification solutions. Contact us today to find out how easy home electrification can be!
