A Comprehensive Guide To North Carolina EV Incentives & EV Charger Rebates

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

Updated: February 5, 2025

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North Carolina EV Rebates, Incentives & Tax Credits

North Carolina is on a mission to put 1.25 million electric vehicles (EVs) on the state’s roads by 2030. With statewide measures supporting the development of a public EV charging network, EV adoption is becoming more appealing every day for residents of the state.

North Carolina residents can also save on their EV purchases and at-home EV charger installations thanks to rebates and incentives offered by local utilities. Additionally, many electricity providers are offering time-of-use (TOU) rates that help make North Carolina at-home EV charging even more affordable for drivers.

Read on to explore all the EV-related incentives available in North Carolina.

North Carolina EV Rebates & Incentives

Although North Carolina does not currently offer any incentives or state tax credits on EVs, you can still take advantage of EV charging rebates and tax credits available at the federal level to save on your new vehicle.

Additionally, several utilities within the state also provide a bill credit with proof of purchase for an EV.

Edgecombe-Martin County EMC

As a member of the Edgecombe-Martin County EMC, this co-op offers a $200 rebate to help offset the cost of buying an EV.

Pee Dee Electric

Purchasing an EV as a Pee Dee Electric customer makes you eligible for a $150 bill credit from this utility.

Piedmont Electric

As a Piedmont Electric customer, you can get a $50 rebate for buying an EV.

Surry-Yadkin EMC

You can earn a $500 rebate for the purchase of an EV with Surry-Yadkin EMC.

North Carolina EV Charger Rebates

North Carolina residents can claim rebates from local utilities for purchasing and installing Level 2 EV chargers, from $100 to over $1,000.

Here are some of the top utility rebates currently available for residents in North Carolina to save on buying or installing a charging station at home or in a public or commercial setting:

Duke Energy Carolinas EV Charger Rebate

As a Duke Energy Carolinas customer, you can apply for a $1,133 credit toward the installation of a Level 2 EV charging station in your home.

The utility also offers an EV charger leasing program. Through this program, Duke Energy Carolinas will cover the upfront cost of installing a charger in your home, and, depending on the EV charger model, you’ll pay between $13.04 to $17.28 each month for a term of 36 months.

Keep in mind that this does not cover any additional upgrades needed to prepare your home for EV charging, such as a panel upgrade. You are responsible for any upgrades to your electrical infrastructure if your current setup is not EV-ready.

Duke Energy Progress EV Charger Rebate

Similarly, Duke Energy Progress offers a $1,117 rebate to help offset the cost of a Level 2 EV charger installed in your home.

You can also enroll in the utility’s EV charger leasing program. Through this program, Duke Energy Progress will install an EV charger in your home with no upfront cost and you’ll only pay a flat monthly fee for the 36-month duration of the lease, which ranges from $12.89 to $17.10, depending on the model of the charger.

Brunswick Electric

Brunswick Electric customers can take advantage of a $500 EV-ready rebate, which includes the purchase and installation of a residential Level 2 EV charger.

Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative

If you’re looking to save money while purchasing a charging station, you can save $100 on an EV charger with the Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative rebate.

Four County EMC

Four County EMC offers a rebate of up to $500 on the purchase and installation of a Level 2 EV charger.

Haywood EMC

As a Haywood EMC customer, you can apply for a $100 rebate toward a qualifying Level 2 charger.

Jones-Onslow EMC

Jones-Onslow EMC offers their customers $250 toward a Level 2 EV charger.

Greenville Utilities Commission

This municipal utility has a rebate program designed to make commercial and multifamily EV charging more accessible. Businesses, schools, multifamily properties, public buildings, and nonprofits that are customers of the Greenville Utilities Commission can get up to $1,000 per Level 2 EV charger and $1,500 per dual charger with a limit of four stations per property.

EV Charging Rates in North Carolina

Several North Carolina utilities offer time-of-use (TOU) electricity 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.

Always check with your utility to confirm current utility rates, TOU programs, and other incentives for EV charging during off-peak hours.

Duke Energy Progress

With Duke Energy Progress’ TOU program, you can pay as little as $0.04 per kWh during discount hours. Your off-peak rate will be $0.06 per kWh, and you’ll pay $0.14 per on-peak kWh.

Discount hours last from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. in the summer, and 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. as well as 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the winter. The off-peak period lasts from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. as well as 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer. During the winter, off-peak hours are from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m., 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. On-peak hours start at 6 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. all year round.

Dominion Energy North Carolina

This utility’s TOU program allows you to save on North Carolina EV charging from 9 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the summer, and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. as well as 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. in the winter. On-peak hours last from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the summer, and 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the winter.

You’ll pay only $0.05 per kWh during off-peak hours and $0.07 per kWh for on-peak EV charging.

Blue Ridge Energy

Blue Ridge Energy offers a pilot TOU program with rates that range from $0.34 per kWh during critical peak periods to $0.05 per kWh for off-peak periods and $0.03 per kWh for super off-peak times.

Critical peak hours only happen in the summer and last from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. Super off-peak hours last from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. every day. Off-peak rates apply any time outside of these hours.

Brunswick Electric

Brunswick Electric’s TOU program comes with an on-peak rate of $0.38 per kWh, an off-peak rate of $0.06 per kWh, and a super off-peak rate of $0.04 per kWh. Super off-peak hours last from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. year-round. In the summer, on-peak hours start at 2 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. In the winter, the on-peak rate applies from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. The off-peak rate is in effect outside of these hours.

Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative

The Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative has a TOU rate that offers its lowest prices per kWh at night. You’ll save the most by charging your EV during the super off-peak period, which lasts from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. year-round and only costs a rate of $0.06 per kWh.

The daytime is divided between two rates. In the summer, the off-peak rate of $0.14 per kWh is in effect from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., you’ll pay the on-peak rate of $0.48 per kWh. In the winter, an on-peak rate of $0.34 per kWh is in effect from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. From 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., you’ll pay an off-peak rate of $0.09 per kWh.

Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative

Under the Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative’s TOU plan, you’ll pay $0.04 per off-peak kWh and $0.11 per on-peak kWh. On-peak hours last from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer and 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the winter. The off-peak rate applies outside of these hours.

Central Electric

By enrolling in Central Electric’s TOU rate, you can benefit from an off-peak summer rate of $0.09 per kWh from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. year-round. From 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., you’ll pay $0.12 per kWh in the summer and $0.11 per kWh in the winter.

Edgecombe-Martin County EMC

If you drive an EV, you can qualify for this utility’s TOU plan and pay as little as $0.03 per kWh during super off-peak hours from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

During the winter months, the on-peak rate of $0.09 per kWh applies from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. The same rate applies during summertime on-peak hours from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Outside of super off-peak and on-peak hours, the off-peak rate of $0.08 per kWh applies year-round.

Four County EMC

If you enroll in Four County EMC’s TOU rate, you’ll pay $0.03 per kWh to charge your EV between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Outside of these hours, your electric rate will be $0.07 per kWh.

Haywood EMC

Haywood EMC’s EV TOU energy plan offers a super off-peak rate of just $0.04 per kWh from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. During the day, you’ll pay the utility’s off-peak rate of $0.11 per kWh except during on-peak hours, which last from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer and 6 a.m. to 9 am in the winter. The winter on-peak rate is $0.30 per kWh, while the summer on-peak rate is $0.39 per kWh.

Pee Dee Electric

Pee Dee Electric offers a TOU billing rate with a price of $0.07 per kWh during on-peak hours and $0.04 per kWh during off-peak hours. On-peak hours last from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. in the winter and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer.

Piedmont Electric

As a Piedmont Electric customer, you can enroll in the utility’s seasonal TOU plan. Super off-peak hours last from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. year-round and are the best time to charge your EV, with a rate of only $0.03 per kWh.

You’ll pay the most during on-peak hours, which last from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer and from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the winter. You’ll pay $0.33 per on-peak kWh in the summer and $0.26 in the winter.

Outside of these hours, the utility’s off-peak rate of $0.06 per kWh applies year-round.

Town of Apex

This municipal utility offers a TOU plan with on-peak rates of $0.27 per kWh and off-peak prices of $0.06 per kWh.

The on-peak rate applies from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the winter and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer. Note that there are two transitional periods over the first two weeks of April and October where both on-peak periods will apply during the day.

Fayetteville’s Hometown Utility

This utility’s TOU program allows you to reduce your energy bills by switching your electric consumption to the super off-peak hours of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. During these hours, you’ll only pay $0.05 per kWh. On-peak hours, which last from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the summer and 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the winter, come with a rate of $0.14 per kWh. Outside of these hours, you’ll pay an off-peak rate of $0.09 per kWh.

City of Laurinburg

The City of Laurinburg offers a TOU rate with on-peak prices of $0.45 per kWh and an off-peak rate of $0.06 per kWh. In the summer, on-peak hours are from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. In the winter, the on-peak rate applies from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Town of Smithfield

If you get your electricity through this municipal utility, you can enroll in a TOU plan with off-peak prices of $0.05 per kWh and on-peak prices of $0.09 per kWh. On-peak hours last from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the winter and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer.

Public EV Charging Stations in North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has leveraged NEVI funding to develop the state’s public charging infrastructure. Additionally, a coalition of electric cooperatives is operating a rapidly growing network of chargers across the state.

How Many Public EV Charging Stations Are in North Carolina?

As of January 2025, North Carolina has over 1,700 public charging stations, including 1,460 Level 2 and over 300 DC Fast stations. There are 80 Tesla Supercharger stations and over 880 Tesla Supercharger ports in North Carolina.

How Much Do Public EV Charging Stations Cost in North Carolina?

When it comes to paying for public EV charging in North Carolina, it’s important to keep in mind that pricing will vary from one charging station to another, but charging at home is generally the most cost-effective and convenient method of EV charging.

While pricing can vary, it may not always be possible to charge at home and there are affordable options available for public EV charging. For instance, the stations operated by the town of Chapel Hill cost $0.20 per kWh which can even be cheaper that some on-peak rates throughout the state.

Are There Free EV Charging Stations in North Carolina?

Yes, you can find free EV charging located across the state. For example, you can find local businesses offering free EV charging as a perk, or charge for free at some government buildings. The Town of Apex offers EV drivers a few free EV charging locations, and so does the Town of Boone.

Where Are Public EV Charging Stations in North Carolina?

You’ll find more charging stations in large cities like Raleigh, Winston-Salem, or Charlotte. 

Tesla has built a Supercharger network of fast charging stations throughout the state, with locations approximately 150 miles apart along I-40 and US-70.

Visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center Map of EV Charging Station Locations in North Carolina, 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 North Carolina

North Carolina is offering home energy rebates funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, making $104.9 million for home efficiency rebates and $104.3 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.

You may qualify for home electrification incentives through your local 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

Check with your local utility to confirm incentives for battery storage in North Carolina. For example, Duke Energy’s PowerPair program offers a one-time incentive of up to $9,000 for installing a solar-plus-battery system. Additionally, 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

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

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

Recent North Carolina EV Charging News

Love’s & Pilot Installing EV Charging Stations in North Carolina

North Carolina receiving $5 million to continue building EV charging stations

Ionna’s North Carolina ‘Rechargery’ Is What You Want EV Charging To Be

Why Qmerit is the #1 EV Charger Installer in North Carolina

With so many utility-level programs available, there has never been a better time to go electric in North Carolina. Reach out to your utility provider to learn more about incentives and rebates available to you, and make sure you hire a qualified EV installer to guarantee a safe and reliable charger installation.

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.

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