If you have been considering an electric vehicle, there has never been a better time than right now. Many states are offering tax incentives for new buyers, increasing the number of public EV chargers, and shortening the gap between charging stations on highways.
Kuhlman Electrical Services is a Tesla-preferred EV charger station installer, and we’ve gathered data to rank the top ten states to live in if you own an electric vehicle. We found three main ways to break down the top 10 states—
- Top 10 states based on tax incentives for EVs
- Top 10 states based on publicly available EV chargers
- Top 10 states based on the total number of charging corridors miles
Ready to see if you live in one of the top 10 states to own an electric vehicle? Read on!
Top 10 Best State-Offered Tax Incentives For Electric Vehicles
As electric vehicles rise in popularity for their ability to reduce emissions and create a more sustainable future, many states have offered tax incentives for those interested in buying or leasing an EV.
The state-based tax incentives range from $1,000 to up to $7,500 in tax rebates for purchasing an electric vehicle. Be sure to read the details as certain restrictions apply.
| State | Tax Rebate / Incentive | $ Amount(s) |
|
Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) | Up to $7,500 for purchase and $5,000 for leasing an all-electric vehicle |
|
Charge Ahead Rebate Program | $5,000 for purchasing or leasing a new or used EV, including plug-in hybrid vehicles. |
|
Electric Vehicle (EV) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Tax Credit | $3,000 to purchase an eligible EV |
|
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebates | Up to $2,500 for purchase or lease of an EV |
|
California EV and Hybrid Rebate | $2,500 for hybrid and EVs, must earn less than $150,000 per year as an individual or $204,000 as head of household |
|
Electric Vehicle (EV) Tax Credit | $2,000 for purchase or $1,500 for the lease of a light-duty EV |
|
The Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate Program (CHEAPR) | $2,000 for a new EV or $3,000 for a used EV |
|
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate | $2,000 for EV new or pre-owned |
|
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) EV Rebate | $2,000 for the purchase or lease of a new eligible EV. |
|
New Hampshire Electric Co-op (NHEC) | $1,000 for the purchase or lease of a new or used electric vehicle |
Sourced: https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/laws/ELEC
Top 10 States With The Highest Number of EV Chargers
Currently, there are around 140,000 public EV chargers across the United States. By 2030, that number is projected to increase to approximately 1.4 million chargers based on demand. Below, you will find the U.S. states with the highest number of public charging stations and each state’s percentage of the total number of EV chargers nationwide.
| State | Number of Public Charging Stations | Percentage of Total |
|
15,182 | 28.7% |
|
3,085 | 5.8% |
|
2,858 | 5.4% |
|
2,419 | 4.6% |
|
2,328 | 4.4% |
|
1,810 | 3.4% |
|
1,718 | 3.2% |
|
1,596 | 3.0% |
|
1,358 | 2.6% |
|
1,260 | 2.4% |
Sourced: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/interactive-ev-charging-stations-across-the-u-s-mapped/
Top 10 States With Longest Stretches of EV Charging Corridors
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has designated almost 60,000 miles of highway in 48 states as being “corridor ready.” Below, you’ll find a list of the ten states with the highest number of EV charging corridors in miles.
What is an EV Charging Corridor?
According to the DOT, an EV corridor is a stretch of road where drivers can find charging stations within 50 miles of each other and no more than 5 miles off a freeway. This allows EV drivers to travel easily for long distances without having to worry about finding a location to plug in.
| States With The Largest Charging Corridors in Miles | Charging Corridors in Miles (as of July 2022) |
|
7,082 |
|
6,244 |
|
3, 615 |
|
3, 039 |
|
2,452 |
|
2,446 |
|
2,167 |
|
2,141 |
|
2,128 |
|
2,075 |
Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1342635/us-ev-charging-corridor-miles-by-state/
But Doesn’t Temperature Affect Electrical Vehicle Performance?
The lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles are negatively impacted by cold weather, so you might notice a decrease in your car’s performance as temperatures drop below freezing. In cold weather, you are putting more strain on your battery, as more electricity is needed to maintain battery temperature, heat your car, and run the defrosters.
In 2021, Consumer Reports stated that an unplugged EV driving range could decrease by about 20 percent when temperatures are below 10°F, and it also takes longer for batteries to recharge in these conditions.
However, this isn’t to say that you shouldn’t get an electric vehicle if you live in New England or the northern states. Gas-powered cars also struggle in the cold, with freezing temperatures leading to dead batteries, fuel line ice, and engine oil thickening.
Based on the tax incentives and publicly available chargers, you’ll notice that many colder states are some of the best for owning an electric vehicle.