Electricity Laws and Incentives in North Dakota

The list below contains summaries of all North Dakota laws and incentives related to electricity.

State Incentives

Diesel Emission Reduction Grants

The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) awards grants to reduce diesel emissions form eligible on-road and non-road fleets. Eligible projects may include school bus replacements/repowers, zero-emission, hybrid, or alternative-fuel options. Funding availability and focus vary by cycle. See NDDEQ’s State Clean Diesel Grant Program page for current timelines, eligibility, and forms.

Medium- and Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicle Repower and Replacement Grants

The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) offers grants for the replacement or repower of non-road and on-road medium- and heavy-duty vehicles with new diesel or alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). Grants may cover up to 38% of non-government project costs and up to 50% of government project costs. Eligible AFVs include all-electric, compressed natural gas, propane, and hybrid electric vehicles. The program is funded by North Dakota’s portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust but there is currently no funding available. For more information, including eligible projects and program application, see the NDDEQ Volkswagen Settlement website.

North Dakota's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Planning

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) NEVI Formula Program required the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) to submit an annually updated EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan (Plan) for fiscal years 2022 through 2026 to their FHWA Division Office, describing how the state intended to distribute NEVI funds and their physical and cybersecurity strategies, and including a Community Engagement Outcomes Report. The submitted plans must address updated NEVI Guidance.

For more information about North Dakota’s NEVI planning process, see the NDDOT North Dakota Statewide Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan website.

Laws and Regulations

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Signage and Parking Space Regulation

A parking space designated for EVs must be indicated by signage approved by the North Dakota Department of Transportation that indicates that it is only for EV charging. The signage must be consistent with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

An individual is not allowed to stop, stand, or park a motor vehicle within any parking space specifically designated for parking and charging EVs unless the motor vehicle is connected for charging. A fee of $50 applies for non-EVs that park in spaces designated for EVs.

(Reference North Dakota Century Code 39-13-06 and 39-10-50.1)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Fee

EV owners must pay an annual fee in addition to other registration fees. The fee is $120 for all-electric vehicles, $50 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and $20 for electric motorcycles. Fees contribute to the Highway Tax Distribution Fund.

(Reference North Dakota Century Code 39-04-19.2)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Grant Agreement Authority

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) may accept federal or non-state funds to administer reimbursable EV charging grant programs. NDDOT may establish criteria for grant awards, including EV charging station operation and maintenance. EV charging stations that receive reimbursement grants must have a federal formula cost share between 10 and 80%. By July 1, 2024, NDDOT must report on the deployment and administration of EV charging stations deployed using reimbursable grants.

(Reference North Dakota Century Code 24-02-45.4)

Experimental Vehicle Definition and Requirements

A vehicle with an unladen weight of 6,000 pounds or less that is primarily powered by a source other than a combustion engine may be considered an experimental vehicle. A driver may not operate an experimental vehicle unless it is registered as such with the North Dakota Department of Transportation. An experimental vehicle must be equipped with certain safety features and may not operate on a public road unless it is accompanied by a chase vehicle following at a safe driving distance. Experimental vehicle owners must pay an annual registration fee of $50 unless owned by a government entity or political subdivision. Additional requirements and restrictions apply.

(Reference North Dakota Century Code 39-10.3-01 through 39-10.3-08)

Public Utility Definition

A corporation or individual that resells electricity supplied by a public utility for use in electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is not subject to regulation as a public utility.

(Reference North Dakota Century Code 49-03-01.5)

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