The District of Columbia aims to see at least 25% of its registered vehicles running on zero-emission fuel by 2030. As part of that goal, there are several programs from both the leading utility provider and the government bodies in “the District” that incentivize residential electric vehicle (EV) purchases and Level 2 charging installations.
Small but densely-populated, it’s no surprise the U.S. capital city doesn’t yet have as many home electrification incentives as larger areas. That said, new incentives and rebates for electric vehicles are springing up all the time, so if you want to see what’s available to you as an EV driver, reach out to your utility provider and local government. You can also keep your finger on the pulse of electric vehicle rebates by state here on the Kopperfield blog.
And no matter where you are, connect with our network of Kopperfield Certified Electricians for help finding and applying for the local rebates that will make your EV charging install even more affordable.
Now, let’s see what Washington D.C. currently has in store for its EV owners.
What are Washington D.C.’s programs with EV incentives?
Most of the residential incentives in D.C. focus on exemptions and credits that save more for EV owners.
EV title excise tax exemption
Governed by the District of Columbia’s Department of Motor Vehicles, 100% electricity-powered vehicles are exempt from the excise tax on vehicles. Both the original purchaser as well as subsequent owners are eligible for this exemption, creating an incentive for engaging in the secondary market for EVs.
Learn more about this tax and exemption on the D.C. DMV website.
Reduced registration fee for EVs
Also from the D.C. DMV comes a discount on vehicle registration fees.
Newly-purchased EVs are eligible for a highly-reduced fee the first few years they’re registered. After that, residential EV drivers can subtract 1,000 pounds from the manufacturer's shipping weight to determine the vehicle weight class upon which registration fees are based — basically creating an ongoing rebate. This offer does not apply to hybrid vehicles.
Check with the D.C. DMV for the most recent information on registration fees and discounts.
AFV tax credit
Finally, there’s the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Infrastructure and Conversion Credits from D.C.’s Office of Tax and Revenue, which among other things offers a tax credit for 50% of the equipment and labor costs associated with purchasing and installing alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) infrastructure — aka, an EV charger.
For residential EV owners, the maximum tax credit is $1,000 per charger.
Find the latest news on this rebate and a helpful FAQ sheet that will help you determine eligibility and apply for credit here.
What EV utility incentives are available in Washington D.C.?
There is one more residential EV incentive to be had, and it comes from a D.C.-area utility provider.
Pepco’s residential time-of-use rate
Pepco is an energy company that covers Washington D.C. and surrounding areas.
In D.C., residential customers with an EV charger and vehicle registered in the D.C. area can apply for the Whole House Time-of-Use Rate plan. When charging during off-peak hours and using a smart meter, program users can shave money off of their electric bill.
Interested? See Pepco’s program page to estimate your savings and begin the application process.
Are there Federal EV purchase & charging incentives?
All tax-paying U.S. EV (and plug-in hybrid) owners can continue to save when they take advantage of federal tax credits provided by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
The act makes home EV charging points eligible for up to $1,000 in tax credits (in rural or low-income communities only).
For EV purchases themselves, taxpayers may receive credits for up to $7,500 for new vehicles and $4,000 for used vehicles. The amount of these rebates for electric vehicles is based on the year of purchase as well as battery capacity.
Find out if you can utilize this lucrative incentive using these helpful resources from the IRS website:
- Credits for New Clean Vehicles Purchased in 2023 or After
- Credits for New Electric Vehicles Purchased in 2022 or Before
- Used Clean Vehicle Credit
In 2024, the tax credits for new and used EVs may become more accessible. A proposal from the U.S. Department of the Treasury aims to make tax breaks available at the time of sale. We’ll certainly be following this interesting incentive here on the Kopperfield blog.
Do I need a permit for a hardwired EV charger in Washington, D.C.?
The D.C. Department of Buildings explicitly states that “electric car charging equipment” requires a permit. Kopperfield also recommends a permit for EV charger installations, to ensure that the work meets local safety standards, and that your homeowners insurance policy will remain valid in the very unlikely event of a fire. While they don't go into detail about the cost of acquiring such a permit, we typically advise EV owners to plan to spend between $200 and $1,000 (typically on the lower end) on EV charger permitting.
Ready to begin your home electrification journey?
Do you need a guide to help you make the most of Washington D.C. electric vehicle incentives and navigate the EV charger permitting and installation process?
It can be simple when you request a quote from Kopperfied.
You just give us a few details about your home, electric vehicle, and charger. We will quickly route you to a local, licensed Kopperfield-certified electrician, who will provide you with a quote that accounts for everything from installation to the best incentives for your situation. Approve your quote and schedule your install through the platform and get an EV charger set up in record time.
At Kopperfield our mission is to make home electrification easy — starting with EV charging.
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