Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Vehicle-to-Grid Energy Credit

Retail electricity customers with at least one grid-integrated electric vehicle (EV) may qualify to receive kilowatt-hour credits for energy discharged to the grid from the EV's battery at the same rate that the customer pays to charge the battery. A grid-integrated EV is defined as a battery-powered motor vehicle that has the ability for two-way power flow between the vehicle and the electric grid as well as communications hardware and software that allow for external control of battery charging and discharging. (Reference Delaware Code Title 26, Chapter 10, Section 1001 and 1014g)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebates

As part of the Delaware Clean Transportation Incentive Program, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) offers rebates for new or leased AFVs. The following rebate amounts are applicable for vehicles purchased or leased before December 31, 2022:

Eligible applicants include Delaware residents, businesses, organizations, and government entities. Rebates are limited to six vehicles per fleet. Additional terms and conditions apply. For more information, including application guidelines and participating dealers, see the DNREC Clean Fuel and Transportation Initiatives website.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Rebates

As part of the Delaware Clean Transportation Incentive Program, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) offers rebates for new Level 2 EV charging stations purchased for use at public, workplace, commercial, and multi-unit dwelling (MUD) locations. Installation, labor, and other costs are not eligible.

Rebates are available in the following amounts:

Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible applicants include MUDs, businesses, organizations, non-profits, government entities, schools, colleges, and universities. Additional terms and conditions apply. For more information, including application guidelines, see the DNREC Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Rebates website.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Rebate - Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC)

DEC offers a one-time $200 rebate, in the form of a billing credit and an additional $5 monthly billing credit to customers if they do not charge their plug-in electric vehicles during Beat the Peak alerts. For more information, including eligibility requirements, see the DEC Beat the Peak website.

Medium- and Heavy-Duty Emissions Reductions Funding

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) provides funding for medium- and heavy-duty on-road and limited off-road emission reduction projects. This grant program is funded by Delaware's portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust (VW). For more information, including program guidance, application deadlines, and funding availability, see the DNREC VW Mitigation Plan website.

Electric Cooperative Investments

Unclaimed electric cooperative capital credits may be used on transportation electrification investments. Credit allocation reports are required annually by January 20. (Reference Delaware Code Title 26, Chapter 9, Subchapter I, Section 909)

Smart Grid Infrastructure Development

All grid-integrated, plug-in electric vehicles in use by eligible customers must meet applicable safety and performance standards put forth by the National Electric Code, Institute of Electric and Electronic Engineers, UL, and the Society of Automotive Engineers to ensure that net metering customers comply with the electric supplier’s interconnection tariffs and operating guidelines. (Reference Delaware Code Title 26, Chapter 10, Section 1014e)

Public Utility Definition

An entity that owns, operates, controls, or manages a facility that supplies electricity to the public exclusively to charge plug-in electric vehicles is not defined as a public utility. (Reference Delaware Public Service Commission 19-0377)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Time-Of-Use (TOU) Rate– Delmarva Power

Delmarva Power offers a Time-Of-Use (TOU) rate option to residential customers that own EVs. For more information, see the Delmarva Power EV Programs website.

Climate Action Plan

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) released the Delaware Climate Action Plan (Plan) with strategies and actions the state can take to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 26% to 28% from 2005 levels by 2025. The plan includes reducing transportation sector GHG emissions by promoting the shift to zero emission vehicles and expanding access to vehicle charging infrastructure. The Plan also recommends a goal of 17,000 electric vehicle sales per year by 2030. For more information, seethe DNREC Climate Action Plan page.

Public Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) Station Grant

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) offers grants for public direct current fast charging (DCFC) stations of up to 75% of electric vehicle (EV) charging station projects for qualified applicants along highly trafficked highways and roadways. Funding is available for the EV charging station purchase, installation, and signage, as well as five years upfront networking costs. Eligible entities include non-profit organizations, private companies, and government agencies. The program is funded by Delaware’s portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. For more information, including program guidance and application, For more information, see the DNREC Clean Fuel and Transportation Initiatives page.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Support

Delaware 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.

Delaware's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Planning

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) NEVI Formula Program requires the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) to submit an EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan (Plan) to the DOT and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Office by August 1, 2022, describing how the state intends to distribute NEVI funds. Plans must be established according to NEVI guidance.

For more information about Delaware’s NEVI planning process, see the DelDOT Delaware’s Vehicle Electrification Future website. For more information about Delaware’s NEVI plan, see the Joint Office’s State Plans for EV Charging website.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Local Permitting Policies

By July 1, 2023, municipalities with populations of more than 30,000 people must adopt an ordinance that establishes a permitting procedure for the installation of curbside residential EV charging stations. The ordinance must

• Require EV charging station installation is completed by a licensed electrician;
• Require the written permission of the owner of the property on which the EV charging station will be installed;
• Establish reasonable restrictions on the type of EV charging stations that may be installed;
• Provide that the municipality must approve or deny a permit within 90 days of receipt of a permit application; and,
  
• Provide that an EV charging station may not affect a proposed State right-of-way or easement area without approval by the Department of Transportation.

(Reference Senate Bill 187, 2022 and Delaware Administrative Code Title 22, Chapter 1, Section 119)