Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Alternative Fuel and Idle Reduction Grants

The North Carolina Department of Environment Quality (DEQ) provides grants to repower, replace, and convert eligible on and off road vehicles and equipment to alternative fuels and fuel efficient technology. Equipment must be U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or California Air Resources Board verified. For more information, including a list of eligible technologies, see the DEQ Diesel Emission Reductions Grants website.

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Acquisition Goal

North Carolina established a goal that at least 75% of new or replacement state government light-duty cars and trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less must be AFVs or low emission vehicles. (Reference North Carolina General Statutes 143-215.107C)

Alternative Fuel Tax Exemption

The retail sale, use, storage, and consumption of alternative fuels is exempt from the state retail sales and use tax. (Reference North Carolina General Statutes 105-164.13)

Alternative Fuel and Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Fund

The North Carolina State Energy Office administers the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) Credit Banking and Selling Program, which enables the state to generate funds from the sale of EPAct 1992 credits. The funds that EPAct credit sales generate are deposited into the Alternative Fuel Revolving Fund (Fund) for state agencies to offset the incremental costs of purchasing biodiesel blends of at least 20% (B20) or ethanol blends of at least 85% (E85), developing alternative fueling infrastructure, and purchasing AFVs and hybrid electric vehicles. Funds are distributed to state departments, institutions, and agencies in proportion to the number of EPAct credits generated by each. For the purposes of this program, alternative fuels include 100% biodiesel (B100), biodiesel blends of at least B20, ethanol blends of at least E85, compressed natural gas, propane, and electricity. The Fund also covers additional projects approved by the Energy Policy Council. (Reference North Carolina General Statutes 143-58.4, 143-58.5, 143-341, and 136-28.13)

Alternative Fuel Use and Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Requirements

State-owned vehicle fleets must implement petroleum displacement plans to increase the use of alternative fuels and fuel-efficient vehicles. Reductions may be met by petroleum displaced through the use of biodiesel, ethanol, other alternative fuels, the use of hybrid electric vehicles, other fuel-efficient or low emission vehicles, or additional methods the North Carolina Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources approves. (Reference Session Law 2013-265, Section 19.5(a))

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV), Idle Reduction Technologies, and Diesel Retrofits Funding

The Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT) project provides grant funding to reducing transportation-related emissions in nonattainment and maintenance counties for National Ambient Air Quality Standards. A project that is adjacent to these areas may also be eligible for funding if the project will reduce emissions in eligible counties. For more information, including current requests for proposals, see the CFAT website.

Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Emissions Inspection Exemption

Qualified PEVs and FCEVs are exempt from state emissions inspection requirements. Other restrictions may apply. (Reference North Carolina General Statutes 20-4.01 and 20-183.2)

Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Definition

A PEV is defined as a vehicle that:

• Does not have the ability to be propelled by gasoline
• Draws electricity from a battery with a capacity of at least four kilowatt-hours and is capable of being charged from an external source
• Has not been modified from the original equipment manufacturer power train specifications
• Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less
• Has a maximum speed of at least 65 miles per hour
• Meets applicable requirements in Title 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, section 571.

State Highway Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Regulations

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) may install and operate public EV charging stations at state-owned highway rest stops so long as it has developed a mechanism to charge EV charging station users a fee to recover the costs related to electricity consumed, processing the user fee, and operating and maintaining the EV charging station. NCDOT may consult with other state agencies and industry representatives to develop a cost recovery mechanism. (Reference North Carolina General Statutes 136-18.02)

EV Charging Rebate and Time-Of-Use (TOU) Rate - Randolph Electric Membership Corporation (EMC)

Randolph EMC’s Electric Vehicle Utility Program (REVUP) offers residential customers a rebate of $500 for the purchase of qualified Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging station. Rebates are available to the first 50 applicants on a first-come, first served basis. REVUP also offers a TOU rate to residential customers that own or lease a plug-in electric vehicle. For more information, including eligibility requirements, see the REVUP website.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Rebate – Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative (CHEC)

Cape Hatteras Electric Co-Op (CHEC) offers a bill credit of $100 to residential customers who install a Level 2 EV charging station. For more information, including how to apply, see the CHEC Electric Vehicles website.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Rate Incentive – Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative (CHEC)

Cape Hatteras Electric Co-Op (CHEC) offers time-of-use (TOU) electricity rates to residential customers that own or lease a EV. For more information, see the CHEC Electric Vehicles website.

Public Utility Definition

A person who uses electric vehicle supply equipment to resell electricity to the public for the purposes of fueling an electric vehicle is not considered a public utility. (Reference North Carolina General Statutes 62-3).

Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Deployment Support

California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington (signatory states) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support the deployment of medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) ZEVs through involvement in a Multi-State ZEV Task Force (Task Force).

In July 2022, the Task Force published a multi-state action plan to support electrification of MHD vehicles. The action plan includes strategies and recommendations to accomplish the goals of the MOU, including limiting all new MHD vehicle sales in the signatory states to ZEVs by 2050, accelerating the deployment of MHD ZEVs, and ensuring MHD ZEV deployment also benefits disadvantaged communities.

For more information, see the Medium- and Heavy-Duty ZEVs: Action Plan Development Process website.

Electric Vehicle Performance Dashboard

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) will report all-electric vehicle, hybrid electric vehicle, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle registrations on its performance dashboard. Data will include the number of monthly new registrations, monthly registration renewals, and the cumulative number of new registrations. For more information, see the DOT REPORT Program website. (Reference North Carolina General Statues 136-18.05, Section 29.14)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate and Time-Of-Use (TOU) Rate - Roanoke Electric Cooperative

Roanoke Electric Cooperative offers a TOU rate to residential customers that own or lease a EV. Members pay a flat fee of $50 per month for a Level 2 charging station and up to 450kW of electricity. In addition to the discounted rate, the first 10 participants will receive a $1,000 rebate. For more information, see the EV Program website.

Electric School Bus and Infrastructure Rebate - Duke Energy

Duke Energy offers school districts a rebate for the purchase of electric school buses and to host utility-owned charging infrastructure. For more information, including eligibility requirements, see the Duke Energy Park and Plug website.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Rebate - Energy United

Energy United offers residential customers a $500 rebate for the installation of a Level 2 EV charging station. For more information, including how to apply, see the Energy United Appliance Rebate website

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Purchase Policy for Dealerships

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) may not require or coerce dealerships to purchase or lease EV charging stations unless the dealership is selling that OEM’s electric vehicles. Dealerships are not required to offer public charging or purchase more EV charging stations than reasonably necessary. (Reference House Bill 403, 2021)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Support

North Carolina 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 and Credit - Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation

Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation (PEMC) offers a TOU rate to members that own or lease an EV. Eligible customers who sign up for the TOU rate will receive a $50 bill credit. Customers may also receive an additional $50 bill credit for the purchase of an EV. For more information, including eligibility requirements, see the PEMC EV TOU Rate and EV Incentives websites.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Time-Of-Use (TOU) Rate - Edgecombe-Martin County EMC

Edgecombe-Martin County Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) offers a TOU rate to members that own an EV. Eligible customers who sign up for the TOU rate will also receive a $200 bill credit. For more information, including application requirements, see the Edgecombe-Martin County EMC EV Rates website.

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

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) NEVI Formula Program requires the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) 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 North Carolina’s NEVI planning process, see the NCDOT NEVI website. For more information about North Carolina’s NEVI plan, see the Joint Office’s State Plans for EV Charging website.

Multifamily Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Pilot Program - Duke Energy

Duke Energy offers free EV charging station equipment, installation, maintenance, warranty, and network connection services to residents of multifamily dwellings through the Park & Plug Program pilot program. Participation is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, see the Duke Energy Multifamily Location EV Charging website.