Electricity Laws and Incentives in Wisconsin
The list below contains summaries of all Wisconsin laws and incentives related to electricity.
State Incentives
Alternative Fuel Tax Exemption
A county, city, village, town, or other political subdivision may not levy or collect any excise, license, privilege, or occupational tax on motor vehicle fuel, alternative fuels, or the purchase, sale, handling, or consumption of motor vehicle fuel or alternative fuels.
(Reference Wisconsin Statutes 78.82)
Alternative Fuel Tax Refund for Taxis
A person using alternative fuel to operate a taxi used to transport passengers may be reimbursed for the cost of the Wisconsin state fuel tax. Refund claims must be filed within one year of the fuel purchase date and must be for a minimum of 100 gallons of alternative fuel.
(Reference Wisconsin Statutes 78.75(1m)(a)(1) and 78.75(1m)(b))
Clean Diesel Grant Program
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) funding for projects that reduce diesel emissions in Wisconsin. Funding for 25% to 100% of eligible projects costs is available to businesses, nonprofits, and public entities that reduce diesel emissions by replacing engines, retrofitting exhaust controls, purchasing new vehicles, or installing idle reduction equipment. Eligible projects include school buses, transit buses, and non-road engines, equipment, or vehicles. For more information, including funding amounts and application details, see the DNR Clean Diesel Grant Program website.
Heavy-Duty Transit Bus Grants
The Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) offers grants for the replacement of eligible public transit buses. Funding is available for the replacement and scrapping of model year 1992-2009 heavy-duty public transit buses with new replacement diesel or alternative fueled buses. The program is funded by Wisconsin’s portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. For more information, including how to apply, see the DOA VW Mitigation Program website.
Vehicle Battery and Engine Research Tax Credits
A corporation involved in qualified research is eligible for a tax credit equal to 11.5% of the qualified research expenses that the corporation incurs in Wisconsin during the taxable year. Qualified research includes, but is not limited to, automotive batteries for use in hybrid electric vehicles that improve the efficiency of electricity use, and research related to designing internal combustion engines for vehicles, including expenses related to designing vehicles that are powered by such engines and improving production processes for such engines and vehicles. For the purpose of the tax credit, internal combustion engines include fuel cell, electric, and hybrid electric vehicles. Corporations may claim an additional tax credit equal to 5% of the amount paid or incurred during the taxable year to construct and equip new facilities or expand existing facilities used in Wisconsin for qualified research. For more information see the Wisconsin Department of Revenue Research Credits website.
(Reference 71.28(4)(ab)(2), 71.28(4)(ad), and 71.28(5)(ad))
Wisconsin Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Programs
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission’s Office of Energy Innovation (OEI) offers grant opportunities and programs to support the development of renewable energy and energy storage technology. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, comprehensive energy planning for fleets and electric vehicles. For more information, see the OEI Energy Innovation Grant Program website.
Wisconsin's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Planning
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) NEVI Formula Program requires the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) 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 Wisconsin’s NEVI planning process, see the WisDOT Electrification of Wisconsin website. To review Wisconsin’s NEVI plan, see the Joint Office State Plans for EV Charging website.
Laws and Regulations
Alternative Fuel Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Use Policy
The Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) encourages state employees operating state-owned or leased motor vehicles to use hybrid electric vehicles or vehicles that operate on gasohol (a motor fuel containing at least 10% alcohol) or alternative fuels whenever feasible and cost effective. DOA must place a list of gasohol and alternative fueling station locations in each state-owned or state-leased motor vehicle for driver reference. DOA also encourages Wisconsin residents and state employees who use personal motor vehicles on state business to use gasohol and alternative fuels.
(Reference Wisconsin Statutes 16.045)
Climate Change Task Force
The Governor convened a Climate Change Task Force (Task Force) to advise the development of a mitigation strategy and incorporation of recommendations, including transportation, into existing plans. The Task Force submitted a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor in December 2020. Recommended strategies include developing a statewide transportation electrification plan to support EV deployment and EV charging station development. For more information, see the Wisconsin Task Force website.
(Reference Executive Order 52, 2020)
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Financing Program Authorization
The Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program allows property owners to borrow funds to pay for energy efficiency improvements, including EV charging stations. Cities, villages, towns, or counties are authorized to establish PACE programs. For more information, see the PACE Wisconsin website.
(Reference Senate Bill 692, 2021 and Wisconsin Statutes 66.06277(1)(ao), 66.0627 (8)(a), and 66.0627(8)(d))
Electric Vehicle (EV) Fees
In addition to standard registration fees, all-electric vehicle owners must pay an annual fee of $175. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle owners must pay an annual fee of $75.
(Reference Senate Bill 70, 2023 and Wisconsin Statutes 341.25(1)(L))
Lake Michigan Electric Vehicle (EV) Circuit
Wisconsin joined Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois (Signatory States) in signing the Lake Michigan EV Circuit Tour memorandum of understanding (MOU) to create an EV charging corridor along the Lake Michigan coastline that is intended to make it possible to seamlessly drive an EV across the Signatory States’ that border Lake Michigan. Signatory States are committed to:
- Coordinating on regional EV charging infrastructure siting and deployment strategies;
- Achieving a consistent EV charging station user experience across Signatory States;
- Encouraging EV tourism around Lake Michigan;
- Removing barriers to EV adoption and reducing range anxiety;
- Identifying and developing best practices for EV charging, infrastructure optimization, information sharing, and electricity demand management;
- Providing reliable long-distance driving routes for EV drivers.
The Signatory States will maintain a working group composed of senior leadership from each state who will meet and report on the above actions. For more information, see the MOU.
Regional Electric Vehicle (REV) Midwest Plan
Wisconsin joined Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Minnesota (Signatory States) in signing the REV Midwest memorandum of understanding (MOU) to accelerate vehicle electrification in the Midwest. Signatory States are committed to:
- Accelerate medium- and heavy-duty fleet electrification;
- Collaborate on regional electric vehicle (EV) charging station siting and deployment analyses with a focus on commercial routes;
- Standardize regulations, messaging, and customer experience related to electric vehicles (EVs) across state lines;
- Evaluate opportunities for workforce development;
- Identify historically disadvantaged communities for equitable EV charging station development and EV adoption; and,
- Educate consumers and fleet owners to raise EV awareness, reduce range anxiety, and increase EV adoption.
The Signatory States maintain a coordination group composed of senior leadership from each state who meet and report on the above actions. For more information, see the REV Midwest Partnership Announcement.
Utility / Private Incentives
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Incentive – Xcel Energy
The Xcel Energy EV Accelerate at Home program offers to install and maintain Level 2 EV charging stations at residential locations. Participants will also be enrolled in a TOU rate for electricity used to charge EVs. For more information, including how to apply, see the Xcel Energy EV Accelerate at Home website.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Leasing Program – Madison Gas and Electric (MGE)
MGE residential customers can pay $20 per month for the installation and maintenance of a Level 2 EV charging station. Participants must sign a five-year service agreement. For more information, see MGE’s Charge@Home website.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Incentives – Touchstone Energy Network
Touchstone Energy member cooperatives may offer EV incentives to residential customers. Local cooperatives that may currently offer incentives include:
- Barron Electric Cooperative
- Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative
- Clark Electric Cooperative
- East Central Energy
- Price Electric Cooperative
- Riverland Energy Cooperative
- Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services
For more information, including a full list of member cooperatives and available incentives, see the Touchstone Energy Cooperative Network website.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Support
Wisconsin utilities joined the National Electric Highway Coalition (NEHC), committing to create a network of direct current fast charging (DCFC) stations connecting major highway systems from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific of the United States. NEHC utility members agree to ensure efficient and effective fast charging deployment plans that enable long distance EV travel, avoiding duplication among coalition utilities, and complement existing corridor DCFC sites. For more information, including a list of participating utilities and states, see the NEHC website.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Time-Of-Use (TOU) Rate – Madison Gas and Electric (MGE)
MGE offers a TOU rate for customers that own an EV. For more information, see the MGE Shift & Save website.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Time-Of-Use (TOU) Rates – Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy offers TOU rates to residential customers that own an EV. For more information, see the Xcel Energy EV Accelerate at Home website.
Electric Vehicle (EV) and EV Charging Station Grant Program
RENEW Wisconsin’s EVs for Good initiative offers grants to nonprofit organizations interested in purchasing an EV and $500 for installing Level 2 or higher EV charging station. For more information, including program details and how to apply, visit the RENEW Wisconsin EVs for Good Rebates website.
More Laws and Incentives
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