January 8, 2025
Tennessee Electric Vehicle Tax Credits, Rebates, and Incentives
5 Min. Read
As one of the top states in the industry, Tennessee is leading the charge for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing!
Beyond production, the state is also making significant strides in developing its public EV charging infrastructure, actively enabling EV drivers to charge conveniently at highway rest stops or when parked across the state.
Switching to an EV can not only help you save thousands on gas in the long-term, but also offers upfront savings with various rebates and incentives both at the state- and local-level and federally.
In this article, we will explore the different ways to save on EVs and EV charging as a savvy driver in Tennessee.
Tennessee EV Rebates
Although state and utility programs are not currently available for EV purchases, you can still save money at the dealership through the federal EV tax credit, which offers up to $7,500 in savings for eligible new and used EVs and PHEVs.
Tennessee EV Charger Rebates
When it comes to EV charger rebates in Tennessee, several Tennessee utilities currently provide rebates to make owning and driving an EV even more affordable by offering savings on the purchase and installation of a Level 2 charger at home.
Here are some of the top utility rebates currently available for residents in Tennessee to save on buying or installing a charging station at home or in a public or commercial setting:
Chattanooga Electric Power Board
Chattanooga Electric Power Board customers can claim a $50 rebate for installing an at-home Level 2 EV charging station.
Middle Tennessee Electric
Those who get their energy from Middle Tennessee Electric can take advantage of the utility’s EV Ready incentive, earning a $50 credit when they install an at-home Level 2 EV charger.
Memphis Light, Gas, and Water Division
While this utility does not currently have residential rebates, it offers eligible Memphis businesses that qualify up to $2,000 in technical and consulting rebates for a workplace EV charging or public EV charging project.
Tennessee EV Charging Rates
Several Tennessee utilities offer time-of-use (TOU) plans, allowing customers to save on EV charging by taking advantage of lower rates during off-peak hours. This is an excellent way to save on EV charging costs by adjusting your charging schedule accordingly.
Appalachian Power Company
The Appalachian Power Company offers a TOU rate to customers with an Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) meter.
If you enroll in the program, you’ll pay $0.14 per kWh during the on-peak period and $0.12 per kWh during the off-peak period. Off-peak hours last from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. during weekdays and all day on weekends.
Chattanooga Electric Power Board
The Chattanooga Electric Power Board offers two flexible TOU plans. One option, the Night Shift plan, features a day rate of $0.13 per kWh from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and a reduced night rate of $0.09 per kWh during off-peak hours.
If you opt for the utility’s other option, the Time Shift plan, you’ll pay $0.11 per off-peak kWh and $0.20 per kWh during on-peak hours. In the summer, on-peak hours last from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the off-peak rate applies the rest of the day and night. In the winter, on-peak hours begin at 6 a.m. and end at 10 a.m.
Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB)
With KUB’s TOU plan, customers can save by charging their EV outside of on-peak hours from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer and 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. during the winter. The off-peak rate is $0.08 per kWh, while the on-peak rate is $0.22 per kWh.
Additionally, the utility offers special commercial TOU programs for businesses with EV charging.
Memphis Light, Gas, and Water Division
Memphis Light, Gas, and Water Division gives residential customers the option to enroll in a TOU plan with off-peak rates of a mere $0.05 per kWh. On-peak rates vary from $0.11 per kWh in the summer to $0.07 per kWh in the winter. On-peak hours last from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on summer weekdays and 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. on winter weekdays.
Middle Tennessee Electric
Middle Tennessee Electric’s NiteFlex rate allows customers to save by charging their EVs at night. Customers will pay only $0.05 per kWh from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. and $0.09 per kWh from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tullahoma Utilities Authority
Tullahoma Utilities Authority customers are enrolled by default in the utility’s TOU rate. You can save by charging your EV outside of on-peak hours, which last from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the summer and 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the winter. The on-peak rate is $0.10 per kWh while the off-peak rate outside of these time periods is only $0.06 per kWh.
Public EV Charging in Tennessee
In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Tennessee Valley Authority is currently building an extensive public EV charging network. The goal is to have enough charging options to accommodate 200,000 EVs by 2028.
How Many Public EV Charging Stations Are in Tennessee?
Tennessee has over 900 public EV charging stations, with more than 770 Level 2 EV charging locations and 1,600 individual charging ports. For faster charging, the state has over 180 Level 3 EV charging locations with more than 700 ports. More than 30 of these locations and over 400 DC Fast charging ports belong to the Tesla Supercharger network.
How Much Does Public EV Charging Cost in Tennessee?
EV charging station operators set their own prices, so prices can vary from location to location and can be structured differently depending on the demand for charging in the area. For example, the Level 2 EV charging station located at the Visitor’s Center in Jonesborough costs $1 per hour of charging, while using the DC Fast charging station in the Cherry Street parking lot costs $0.42 per kWh.
Are There Free Electric Car Charging Stations in Tennessee?
Free EV charging stations are available throughout Tennessee, with many located in convenient spots such as parking garages and hotels. Some examples include the free charging in the ETSU Gray Fossil Site and complimentary EV charging options at the Chattanooga Downtown Parking Garage.
Where Are Public Charging Stations Located for Electric Cars in Tennessee?
Tennessee’s public EV charging network is growing at a rapid pace along major highways and cities such as Memphis, Nashville, Murfreesboro, and Chattanooga. You can use this map will give you a better idea of where to find Tennessee EV charging options.
EV Ownership in Tennessee
Tennessee is supporting EV adoption with a fast-growing public charging network. Many local utilities also offer rebates and attractive TOU programs that can significantly reduce EV charging costs.
If you’re interested in exploring your at-home EV charging options or interested in taking advantage of commercial EV charging benefits to install chargers at your business, Qmerit can help
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 450,000 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!
