Electricity Laws and Incentives in New Hampshire
The list below contains summaries of all New Hampshire laws and incentives related to electricity.
State Incentives
Diesel Emissions Reduction Grants
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) provides U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding for projects that reduce diesel emissions in New Hampshire. Funding for up to 100% of eligible project costs is available for businesses, schools and school districts, municipalities, marine operators, public and private transit companies, and local or state agencies that reduce diesel emissions by converting engines to alternative fuels, retrofitting exhaust controls, purchasing new vehicles, or adding idle reduction equipment. Eligible alternative fuels include propane, compressed natural gas, and electricity. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, with equity and environmental justice considerations as part of the evaluation criteria. For more information, including funding amounts and how to apply, see the NHDES New Hampshire DERA Project website.
New Hampshire's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Planning
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) NEVI Formula Program requires the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) to submit an annual EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan (Plan) to the DOT and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office), describing how the state intends to distribute NEVI funds. The submitted plans must be established according to NEVI guidance.
For more information about New Hampshire’s NEVI planning process, see the NHDOT Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure website. To review New Hampshire’s NEVI plan, see the Joint Office State Plans for EV Charging website.
Laws and Regulations
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Program Development Authorization
The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission and the New Hampshire Department of Energy may establish requirements, standards, and rate mechanisms for net metering, advanced metering, time-based electricity rates, demand response practices, and EV charging programs. Additional requirements apply.
(Reference New Hampshire Revised Statutes 374-F:2-374-G:7)
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station and Hydrogen Fueling Station Signage
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (DOT) must coordinate with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to ensure that EV charging station signage on federal highways in the state is uniform. In addition, DOT must develop signage for EV charging stations and hydrogen fueling stations that is consistent with FHWA’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for use on state roads.
(Reference New Hampshire Revise Statutes 236:133)
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging for Renters Study
The New Hampshire Legislature must establish a committee to study opportunities to provide accessible EV charging for residential renters. The committee must report its findings and recommendations by November 1, 2023.
(Reference House Bill 111, 2023)
Electric Vehicle (EV) Fee
In addition to standard vehicle registration fees, EV owners must pay an annual fee of $100 and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle owners must pay an annual fee of $50.
(Reference House Bill 2, 2023 and New Hampshire Revised Statutes 236:132 and 261:141-c)
Electric Vehicle (EV) Funding Study
The New Hampshire Legislature must establish a committee to study funding mechanisms for EV charging stations. The committee, among other things, must:
- Review currently available funding for EV charging stations;
- Identify additional, and determine the feasibility of, non-ratepayer sources of funding for EV charging stations; and,
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Review non-ratepayer funding mechanisms for EV charging stations utilized in other states.
The committee must report its findings and any policy recommendations by November 1, 2024.
(Reference Senate Bill 52, 2023)
Electric Vehicle (EV) Parking Requirement
An individual may not park a motor vehicle in a parking space equipped with a public EV charger unless the vehicle is an EV.
(Reference New Hampshire Revise Statutes 236:134)
Low Emission Vehicle Road Toll Study
The state legislature established a commission in 2023 to study revenue alternatives to the road toll for electric, hybrid, and fuel-efficient vehicles. The commission must, among other things, study the impact that fuel-efficient vehicle technologies have on the environment, track current road toll revenues, and analyze relevant programs in other states. The commission submitted a report of its findings and recommendations to the legislature in November 2023, and must submit subsequent reports by December 2025 and December 1, 2026.
(Reference House Bill 1631, 2024)
Public Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Requirements and Restriction Authorization
EV chargers that are available for public use must meet the following requirements:
- If publicly funded by a settlement, federal or other competitive grant program, or the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust, the charger must be equipped to enable universal access, as defined by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation;
- If the owner or operator requires payment for use of the EV charging station, the station must accept multiple payment options; and;
- The charging station may not require users to pay a subscription fee or obtain a membership at any organization to use the equipment.
An owner or operator of public EV charging stations may impose restrictions on the amount of time that an EV may charge at the station. In addition, the owner or operator must disclose the location and characteristics of each EV charging station to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center. Information that must be disclosed includes, but is not limited to, address, voltage, and timing restrictions.
(Reference New Hampshire Revised Statutes 236:133 and 236:134)
Public Utility Definition
An owner of electric vehicle supply equipment is not defined as a utility, public utility, or public service company.
(Reference New Hampshire Revise Statutes 236:133)
State Agency Electric Vehicle (EV) and EV Charging Station Procurement
The state must pursue EV procurement opportunities for in the state fleet and install EV charging stations for use by state agencies. Where feasible and recommended by the State Government Energy Committee, state offices with more than 50 employees may also make EV charging stations available for employees, as long as energy cost is reimbursed by users.
(Reference Executive Order 2016-03)
State Energy Strategy Development
The New Hampshire Office of Energy Planning (Office), in consultation with the New Hampshire Energy Advisory Council, prepared a 10-year energy strategy for the state that addresses the impact of transportation policies and programs on electricity energy needs in the state in 2018. Strategy recommendations include enabling and encouraging adoption of electric vehicles and reducing unnecessary idling. The Office will review and update the strategy triennially. For more information, including the strategy, see the 10 Year Energy Strategy website.
(Reference New Hampshire Revised Statutes 12-P:7-A)
More Laws and Incentives
To find laws and incentives for other alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, search all laws and incentives.