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Rhode Island EV Rebates and Incentives
In this guide, we explore Rhode Island’s EV tax credits, rebates, and incentives, highlighting how these initiatives can help residents make the switch to electrified transportation.
Rhode Island EV Rebate – Drive EV Project
Rhode Island’s Drive EV Project is a rebate you can claim after purchasing an EV. The base rebate is $1,500 for a new EV, $1,000 for a new PHEV or used EV, and $750 if you’re in the market for a used PHEV.
Drive EV Fleet Program Rhode Island
The state encourages small businesses, non-profits, and public organizations to go electric with a $1,500 rebate toward a new electric fleet vehicle, or $1,000 for a used EV. An additional $500 rebate per vehicle is eligible for businesses registered in Central Falls, Cranston, East Providence, Pawtucket, and Providence.
You can claim the rebate if your organization is buying or leasing an EV, with a limit of five fleet vehicles over a two-year period.
Rhode Island EV Charger Rebates and Tax Credits
Charging your EV at home is both affordable and convenient. To achieve the best charging speed with your residential electrical infrastructure, it is essential to install a Level 2 EV charger with the help of a qualified EV charger installation professional.
Rhode Island EV Charger Rebates – PowerUp Rhode Island
The Drive EV Project isn’t the only way to save on electrification.
The PowerUp Rhode Island rebate program helps you save up to $1,000 on getting a level 2 charger installed at your home.
Available rebates include $350 on a Level 2 charger, not to exceed half the cost of the appliance, as long as you don’t need to make any electrical upgrades to your home. If you need an upgrade, the rebate goes up to $700 with the same 50% limit in place for your EV charger installation project.
You can save even more if you meet some income requirements and get $500 toward a charger or $1,000 for a charger and electrical upgrades. These income-qualified rebates are capped at 75% of the project’s cost.
Federal EV Charger Tax Credits
Rhode Island residents may qualify for the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit which is a federal tax credit worth up to $1,000 to offset costs related to installing an EV charger at home.
Additionally, businesses may qualify for the federal 30C tax credit, worth up to $100,000 per installed EV charging port and available until June 30, 2026.
EV Charging Rates in Rhode Island
On average, Rhode Island residents pay $0.32 per kWh. Depending on who your electricity provider is, you can offset these energy prices by comparing independent electric suppliers.
To further help EV owners reduce charging costs by encouraging off-peak charging, some utilities in Rhode Island offer time-of-use (TOU) electricity rates designed to lower the cost of charging EVs.
These TOU plans incentivize vehicle charging during off-peak hours, making EV ownership more affordable.
Rhode Island Energy
Rhode Island Energy, the largest electricity provider in the state, delivers power to your home but doesn’t generate it. Instead, a network of independent electric suppliers operates power plants. You can shop around and pick a supplier with the best prices for your area to save on EV charging.
You can also enroll in Rhode Island Energy’s demand-response program. You’ll get $50 for enrolling and earn an additional $20 a year as long as you avoid charging your EV during events the utility calls. These events won’t last more than three hours and happen from June to September, anytime between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Public EV Charging Stations in Rhode Island
How Many Public EV Charging Stations Are in Rhode Island?
As of October 2025, Rhode Island has over 350 public EV charging stations including 314 Level 2 and 45 DC fast stations. There are 6 Tesla Supercharger stations and 48 Tesla Supercharger ports in Rhode Island.
You’ll also find the Ford BlueOval network present in the state, with no fewer than 150 locations within 10 miles of Providence.
How Much Do Public EV Charging Stations Cost in Rhode Island?
The cost of charging depends on the type of station and provider.
State-owned EV charging stations use a standardized pricing model. Level 2 stations, like those on the University of Rhode Island campus, cost $0.28 per kWh. If you’re looking for faster charging, you can head to the Warwick Park & Ride on RI-117 in Warwick, where you’ll pay $0.39 per kWh.
Be sure to read our article discussing the Cost of Charging an EV at Home vs. Public Charging.
Are There Free EV Charging Stations in Rhode Island?
Yes, throughout Rhode Island you can find some free charging options, including the Providence Place Mall in Providence. The parking garage has some free Level 2 chargers you can use for up to two hours before paying.
Where Are Public EV Charging Stations Located in Rhode Island?
You’ll find lots of charging options along I-95, the state’s Alternative Fuel Corridor. There are plenty of EV charging stations in major cities, such as Providence, Warwick, Pawtucket, and Cranston.
Visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center Map of EV Charging Station Locations in Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island
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 tax credit and incentive details for specific home electrification technologies.
Battery Storage
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.
See how much you could save with solar in 2025
Qmerit partners with EnergySage to provide competing solar quotes from vetted installers in your area.
Why Qmerit is the Most Trusted EV Charger Installer in Rhode Island
With the savings available from incentive programs like Rhode Island’s Drive EV Project or Powerup RI, alongside the rapidly growing rate of EV adoption, there’s never been a better time to make the switch to electrification.
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 770,000 EV charging stations across the U.S. and Canada.
Discover how Qmerit is paving the way forward for home EV charger installation, whole-home electrification, and commercial EV charging station installation. Contact us today to get a quote!