EV charger incentives & rebates: How to save big on your home installation

Installing a home EV charger doesn’t have to break the bank. Between federal, state and local EV charger incentives, you could save hundreds—or even thousands—on your installation. But with recent changes to federal EV tax credits, it’s more important than ever to understand what's available and act fast if you're considering installing a home charger.

This guide covers the latest EV charger incentives, how eligibility works, and how to find every EV rebate and credit so you can charge smarter and save more.

The federal EV charger tax credit—called the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit— covers 30% of total installation costs up to $1,000. The tax credit applies to the charger itself and any labor or other costs associated with the installation. Most EV charger installations cost between $800 to $3,000, so you’re realistically looking at a tax credit worth $240 to $900—that’s enough to offset the cost of a quality Level 2 charger, and potentially some of your electrical work expenses.

Due to recent legislation (the "One Big Beautiful Bill" signed in July 2025), the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit now expires on June 30, 2026—roughly six years earlier than its original December 31, 2032 end date. Your EV charger must be in service before the end of June 2026 to claim the credit, so if you qualify and are thinking about installing an EV charger at home, you'll want to move quickly.

Who qualifies for the federal EV charger tax credit?

Not everyone is eligible for the federal EV charger tax credit—to qualify, your home must be located in either:

• A non-urban (rural) census tract, or

• A designated low-income community

Census tracts are specific geographic boundaries used for census-taking, and they don't necessarily match up with city limits. That means you might live in a city but still be in a qualifying rural tract, or vice versa. The easiest way to find out if you qualify is to use the Argonne National Laboratory's 30C Tax Credit Eligibility Locator. Just enter your address, and it'll tell you whether you're in an eligible census tract. Note: Only chargers installed at your primary residence qualify for this tax credit.

How to claim the tax credit 

When tax season rolls around, you'll need to complete IRS Form 8911 and submit it with your federal income tax return. Here's what to keep handy:

• Receipts showing the purchase price of your EV charger

• Documentation of installation fees and labor costs

• Any electrical work or equipment invoices related to the installation

Keep in mind, this is a non-refundable tax credit, which means it reduces the federal taxes you owe. If you don't owe enough in taxes to use the full credit in one year, the credit cannot be carried back or forward to other tax years, according to the IRS.

With federal incentives winding down, many states, local governments, utilities, and even original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are offering incentives and rebates for EVs and home EV charger installations. Tom Bowen from Qmerit, a leader in EV charger installations, said some car companies will even cover the cost of installing an EV charger at your house to incentivize you to buy an EV.

“We're seeing many of our partners on the OEM side respond [to the federal changes] with additional incentives to try to encourage folks to purchase,” Bowen said.

How can I find EV charger incentives?

If you’re installing an EV charger, it’s also the perfect time to think about adding home solar panels. Powering your car with clean, self-generated electricity allows you to cut your charging costs and boost your energy independence. With solar panels lasting 25-30 years, you’ll enjoy decades of free, renewable power for your vehicle and home.

Check out the EnergySage Marketplace to compare custom quotes from vetted installers so you can go solar with confidence. If you’re planning to charge an EV at home, add a note to your profile so installers can size your solar system to power your EV sufficiently.