A Comprehensive Guide To Georgia EV Tax Credits, Rebates & Charging Incentives

To make the transition to an electric lifestyle as easy as possible, we’ve created this guide with everything Georgia residents need to know about driving an electric vehicle (EV), including available EV tax credits, rebates, incentives and TOU electricity rates. Qmerit is your electrification partner in Georgia.

Updated: September 3, 2024

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Georgia Electric Vehicle Tax Credits, Rebates and Incentives

With Georgia’s rapidly expanding public charging network and attractive electric vehicle (EV) incentives for local utilities, going electric has never been easier in the Peach State. As a leader for EV adoption in the Southeast, Georgia is paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future on the road.

The state of Georgia no longer offers a tax credit for EV purchases or leases, it was ended by the legislature in 2016. Despite the absence of state-level EV rebates or tax credits, Georgia residents benefit from a strong private sector driving the rise of electrification.

Additionally, with savings from local utilities and various state-offered incentives along with perks for driving electric available from the state, there are plenty of reasons to buy an EV in Georgia.

Utility Rebates for Electric Vehicles in Georgia

Three utilities in Georgia offer EV incentives in the form of bill credits, making it easier for you save on your electric vehicle purchase.

The Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative offers a Drive Free for a Year program. You can qualify by purchasing a new battery electric vehicle, and you’ll earn a $30 monthly energy credit during your first year of EV ownership, totaling $360 in energy savings for the year.

The Snapping Shoals EMC offers a similar EV incentive. This program applies to new purchases and leases and offers a $30 monthly credit, intended to cover the cost of charging your EV during your first year of ownership.

Tri-County EMC residential customers can also benefit from incentives by qualifying for the EV365 program, which provides a $30 monthly bill credit during the first year of EV ownership.

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption

As an EV owner, you can save time and money by using high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on highways regardless of the number of passengers. Plus, with a PeachPass, you can access high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes at no additional cost.

Federal Tax Credits For Electric Vehicles

In addition to the above incentives for EVs, car buyers may also qualify for federal tax credits like the clean vehicle tax credit of up to $7,500 for new vehicles, or the used clean vehicle tax credit for up to $4,000. Income restrictions as well as battery component and critical mineral restrictions may apply. Be sure to speak to a qualified CPA or tax professional to check your eligibility.

Georgia EV Charger Rebates

In certain geographies across America, state entities and local utilities offer drivers rebates for purchasing and installing Level 2 EV chargers.

Twelve utilities in Georgia offer rebates on EV chargers, helping to reduce EV charger installation costs by offsetting equipment and labor costs.

Georgia Utility Rebates for Level 2 EV Chargers & Installation

With 2.5 million customers, Georgia Power Company (GPC) is the largest energy provider in the state. If you’re among its residential customers, you can earn up to $150 toward a Level 2 charger, either by purchasing a charger directly from the GPC website or submitting proof of purchase. Additionally, while GPC offers an EV charging rate, enrollment is not required to benefit from this Georgia EV rebate.

Carroll EMC offers a $250 rebate to help reduce the Level 2 EV charger installation cost. Note that you’ll have to enroll in the utility’s Drive Free for a Year program to qualify, saving you a total of $610.

If you’re a Cobb EMC customer, you can qualify for a $250 rebate on a new Level 2 charger if you choose an Energy Star-certified model with connected features. If you claim this rebate, you’ll be automatically enrolled in the utility’s EV charging program.

With the Coweta-Fayetteville EMC, you can earn $100 toward a Level 2 EV charger for at-home charging.

For those planning new residential construction projects, Diverse Power offers a $50 rebate per NIMA 14-30 or 14-50 outlet to help you build an EV-ready home.

GreyStone Power Corporation is supporting electrification with a program that offers a $250 Georgia EV charger rebate for installing a Level 2 charger for at-home EV charging.

Jackson EMC has a similar program, providing a $250 rebate toward a residential Level 2 charger when you complete the utility’s application form.

For Sawnee EMC residential customers, there is a $200 rebate for Level 2 chargers. You’ll have to sign up for the utility’s plug-in vehicle rate for at least a year to qualify.

Snapping Shoals EMC is another Georgia utility offering a $250 rebate on Level 2 chargers.

As a Sumter EMC customer, you can qualify for a $250 Level 2 charger rebate to save on the upfront cost of charging your EV at home.

Tri-County EMC offers a rebate program where you can save $250 on a Level 2 EV charger.

The city of LaGrange is currently the only MEAG public power community that offers a Georgia EV incentive. This program offers a $250 rebate toward a Level 2 charger for residential use.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station Tax Credit for Businesses

Commercial entities can claim a state tax credit of up to $2,500 (as much as 10%) to cover a portion of the cost of EV charger installation. This credit applies to Level 2 and DC Fast charging stations.

Non-Residential Utility Rebate Programs for EV Charging Stations

Business owners can take advantage of three Georgia EV incentives to save on their EV charging project.

The first is offered through the Georgia Power Company, the state’s largest utility provider. This program uses a tiered structure to determine the amount of these Georgia EV rebates. If your business installs five or fewer Level 2 chargers, you can qualify for up to $2,000 for the entire project, with a limit of $50 per kWh.

For commercial EV charging installation projects with six or more Level 2 chargers, there is a Georgia Power EV charger rebate of $250 per kWh, with a limit of $20,000 per project and $40,000 per year. Additionally, if you’re installing one or more DC Fast chargers, your business can qualify for $100 per kWh in rebates, up to $20,000 for the entire project and $40,000 in a year.

Cobb EMC offers another non-residential EV charger rebate program. Depending on project size and available funds, businesses can apply for grants ranging from $500 to $5,000. Note that your charging project must be publicly available to qualify.

If you’re a commercial customer of the Sumter EMC, you can qualify for a $500 rebate per charger, valid for Level 2 and DC Fast charging.

EV Charging Rates in Georgia

Nine Georgia utilities offer time-of-use programs, which means you’ll pay a lower rate for shifting your energy consumption to off-peak hours, which can help you save on EV charging by plugging in at night.

Georgia Power offers two options for residential customers. You can join the utility’s time-of-use plan and pay $0.137 per kWh during on-peak hours from 2 to 7 PM during weekdays or an off-peak rate will be at $0.0146 per kWh. Note that you’ll pay a demand charge of up to $11.70 per kWh, which makes staggering your electricity usage important.

  • The Overnight Advantage plan is another Georgia Power incentive designed for EV owners. This billing structure waves demand charges in exchange for a slightly higher per-kWh rate. Under this program, you’ll pay $0.286 per kWh during on-peak hours, $0.096 per off-peak kWh, and only $0.021 during super-off-peak hours from 11 PM to 7 AM.

Georgia Power offers several commercial time-of-use plans based on business size.

  • For medium businesses, on-peak electricity will cost $0.237 per kWh, while off-peak usage will cost $0.059 per kWh.
  • Small businesses can take advantage of an on-peak rate of $0.236 per kWh and an off-peak rate of $0.1118 per kWh that drops to $0.042 per kWh from October through May for consumption over 1,500 kWh, which can unlock additional savings for fleet charging.

Coastal Electric Cooperative offers a time-of-use program with rates ranging from $0.20 per kWh during on-peak hours to only $0.05 per kWh during super off-peak hours from 10 PM to 6 AM meaning that charging at night could help you save 75%!

As a Cobb EMC residential customer, you can join the utility’s NiteFlex program and get up to 400 kWh of free energy each month. Once you join the program, the first 400 kWh you use between midnight and 6 AM are free – after that, you’ll have to pay $0.05 per kWh. This program also includes an off-peak rate of $0.075 between 6 AM to 1 PM and 9 PM to midnight.

  • Commercial customers can sign up for the Cobb EMC pilot program for EV charging and by shifting charging to off-peak hours, your business can reduce the cost of EV charging by around 33%.

Coweta-Fayeteville EMC offers a time-of-use program with a super-off-peak rate as low as $0.065 per kWh. You’ll pay $0.095 per kWh during off-peak hours and $0.30 per kWh if you charge your EV during on-peak hours.

If you get your power through Flint Energies, you can sign up for the utility’s EV rate. You’ll pay a basic charge of $35 per month to benefit from a super-off-peak rate of $0.05 per kWh if you charge between midnight and 6 AM. This program also includes a $0.09 per kWh off-peak rate from 6 AM to 2 PM and 8 PM to midnight. Plus, you’ll get a $25 bill credit during your first year, and some EV models are eligible for an additional $8 per month reward if you charge at night.

GreyStone Power Corporation has a special EV charging rate. During super-off-peak hours from midnight to 7 AM, you’ll only pay $0.04 per kWh, which is 80% cheaper than one-peak charging between 2 to 8 PM in the summer.

Jackson EMC offers an EV charging rate to its residential customers on a case-by-case basis. If you’re approved, you’ll pay a $30 per month flat service, an on-peak rate of $0.34 per kWh, an off-peak rate of $0.07 per kWh, and a super-of-peak rate of $0.06 per kWh.

  • Additionally, commercial customers can also qualify for a time-of-use program through the Jackson EMC. The flat monthly charge is $49 for single-phase customers and $77 for three-phase power, and you’ll pay $0.34 per kWh for on-peak energy usage or $0.15 during off-peak hours.

Sawnee EMC offers multiple time-of-use programs. You can opt for a standard time-of-use program with a $0.0445 per kWh off-peak rate and a $0.335 per kWh on-peak tariff or opt for the utility’s critical peak pricing program with a slightly lower on-peak rate and a critical peak energy rate of $0.95 per kWh.

  • The utility also offers an EV charging program that requires a second meter to track your charging. With this program, you’ll pay $0.04 per kWh for off-peak charging and $0.28 for charging during on-peak hours.

Public EV Charging Stations in Georgia

Georgia will receive $135 million in NEVI funding from 2021 to 2026, primarily to support the deployment of EV charging stations along Alternative Fuel Corridors and in underserved communities.

Lawmakers are also exploring other potential initiatives, such as regulating billing for commercial EV charging, establishing inspection requirements for commercial charging stations, or adopting an EV tax.

How Many Public EV Charging Stations Are in Georgia?

Georgia has over 5,000 public charging ports and nearly 2,000 public charging stations including over 1,500 Level 2 and 380 DC Fast stations.

There are 60 Tesla Supercharger stations and 731 Tesla Supercharger ports in Georgia.

Georgia is rapidly expanding its EV infrastructure, now featuring nearly 2,000 charging locations to meet the needs of the more than 30,000 electric vehicles drivers in the state. With over than 1,300 publicly available EV charging stations and over 3,400 individual outlets, Georgia offers a comprehensive network of charging options.

How Much Do Public EV Charging Stations Cost in Georgia?

Pricing varies based on the level of charging offered and the entity that operates the EV charging station. Public charging tends to cost more than at-home charging.

For instance, Level 3/DC Fast charging at the Atlantic Station Parking Deck in Downtown Atlanta will cost you $0.30 per minute.

If you decide to use the Level 2 charging station at the Honda dealership on Morrisson Parkway in Alpharetta, you’ll have to pay $0.50 per hour for the first two hours. After that, the cost will increase to $3 per hour.

Are There Free Electric Car Charging Stations in Georgia?

Yes, you can find free EV charging stations in Georgia at public facilities like municipal libraries. But access to free public charging shouldn’t be your primary charging strategy.

For example, the City of Blakely has deployed a free Level 2 charging station on Main Street.

Where Are Public Charging Stations Located for Electric Cars in Georgia?

You can find EV charging stations along Alternative Fuel Corridors, such as I-85 and I-75, but it’s easiest to locate charging locations in major cities like Atlanta, Savannah, or Athens.

Tesla has built a Supercharger network of fast charging stations throughout the state, with locations approximately 150 miles apart along I-75 and I-85.

Visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center Map of EV Charging Station Locations in Georgia, which can be sorted and filtered based on public access, charger type (Level 1, Level 2, DC Fast), and connector type (NACS, J1772, CCS, CHAdeMO).

Home Electrification Incentives in Georgia

In 2024, Georgia is expected to offer home energy rebates funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, making $109.8 million for home efficiency rebates and $109.2 million for home electrification available for things like appliance rebates, insulation and air sealing, heat pumps for space and water heating, and upgrades to smart electrical panels necessary to enable those retrofits.

Combining EV ownership with other electrification projects, such as upgrading your home with solar panels & battery storage, or investing in a heat pump, will help you save even more while reducing your environmental impact.

In Georgia, you may qualify for home electrification incentives through your electricity provider in addition to the U.S. federal government. Scroll down to read rebate and incentive details for specific home electrification technologies.

Battery Storage

Currently there are no state or utility incentives for battery storage in Georgia. However, the 25D Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit provides a 30% federal tax credit on the cost of new battery storage systems size 3kWh and larger.

Electrical Panels

The 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit provides a federal tax credit for electrical panel upgrades needed to complete electrification projects like heat pumps and heat pump water heaters (up to 30% of project costs, capped at $600). The 25C tax credit can be used by renters, and homeowners making upgrades to their primary or secondary home.

Qualifying electrical panels must meet the standards of the National Electric Code (NEC) and have a capacity of 200 Amps or more. This means that your new/upgraded panel must be able to serve a load of at least 200 Amps, but you don’t need 200 Amps of incoming utility service. Smart panels may qualify if they allow you to serve a load of 200 Amps.

If you’re claiming 25D for a residential solar or battery storage project and the installation required you to upgrade your main panel, you may be able to apply 25D to electrical panel costs as well.

Heat Pumps & Heat Pump Water Heaters

Utilities in Georgia may have special programs for upgrading to heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. Sawnee EMC offers rebates up to $50/ton to install an air source heat pump with a rating of 17.0 SEER (or equivalent SEER2). Georgia Power offers rebates up to $500 to install a heat pump water heater.

The 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit also applies to heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. A 30% federal tax credit is available (capped at $2,000 dollars). Eligible technologies must meet certain energy efficiency requirements.

Solar Panels

There are no state tax credits or utility rebates available for going solar in Georgia.

The 25D Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit provides a 30% federal tax credit on the cost of photovoltaic (PV) solar panel systems.

Recent Georgia EV Charging News

Hartsfield-Jackson gets $11 million for electric vehicle chargers

Rivian reaffirms plans for $5B Georgia EV plant despite construction pause

A Georgia car dealership is building electric chargers and solar panels in a new partnership

Mercedes-Benz Launches EV Charging Network in Georgia