Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Alternative Fuels Tax

Alternative fuels used to propel vehicles of any kind on public highways are taxed at a rate determined on a gasoline gallon equivalent basis. For more information, including applicable tax rates, see the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Motor and Alternative Fuel Taxes website. Certain exemptions apply. (Reference Title 75 Pennsylvania Statutes, Part VI, Chapter 90, Section 9004)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate

The AFV Program offers rebates to assist eligible residents with the cost of the purchase or lease of new or qualifying pre-owned AFVs, including all-electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, electric motorcycles, and propane vehicles. Applicants must meet income eligibility requirements for the program and eligible AFV purchase price not exceed $50,000. Rebates are available in the following amounts:

An additional rebate of $1,000 is available for all applicants that meet the low-income requirement, as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Applications much be received within six months of vehicle purchase. Rebates are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, including forms and detailed requirements and restrictions, see the AFV Rebates website.

(Reference Title 73 Pennsylvania Statutes, Chapter 18E, Section 1647.3)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate - PECO

PECO provides rebates of $50 to residential customers who purchase a new, qualified EV. For more information, see the PECO Electric Vehicles website.

Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) Definition

A NEV is defined as a four-wheeled electric vehicle that has a maximum speed greater than 20 miles per hour (mph) but not more than 25 mph. All vehicles must comply with the safety standards established in Title 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, section 571.500. Drivers must maintain a defined level of insurance coverage for all registered vehicles. (Reference Title 75 Pennsylvania Statutes Part I, Chapter 1, Section 102 and Part II, Chapter 17, Subchapter H, Section 1788)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Infrastructure Grants

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection offers competitive grants for the acquisition, installation, operation, and maintenance of publicly available direct current fast charging (DCFC) stations and hydrogen fueling infrastructure. Grant reimbursements are awarded after project completion in the following amounts:

Eligible project locations are transportation corridors, destination locations, and locations that serve as community charging or fueling hubs. This program is funded by Pennsylvania’s portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. For more information, including program guidelines, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and instructions, see the Driving Pennsylvania Forward website.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Rebate

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) offers rebates for the acquisition, installation, operation, and maintenance of Level 2 EV charging stations. Eligible projects must be on publicly accessible government-owned or non-government-owned property, at workplaces, or at multi-unit dwellings that are not publicly accessible. Rebates are awarded in the following amounts:

DEP must approve all project applications and processes rebates on a first-come, first-served basis, until funds are exhausted. This program is funded by Pennsylvania’s portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. For more information, including program guidelines, eligibility requirements, and instructions, see the Driving Pennsylvania Forward website.

Public Utility Definition

A person, corporation, or entity that owns or operates electric vehicle (EV) charging station that is open to the public is not defined as a public utility. Each electric distribution company must address third-party owned and operated EV charging stations in its tariff. (Reference Title 52 Pennsylvania Code 69.101 and 69.3501)

Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program

The AFIG Program provides financial assistance for innovative, advanced fuel and vehicle technology projects. Projects that result in product commercialization and the expansion of Pennsylvania companies are favored in the selection process. Eligible applicants include school districts, municipal authorities, political subdivisions, non-profits, corporations, limited liability companies or partnerships incorporated or registered in the Commonwealth. Projects must support:

• Incremental cost expenses relative to retrofitting vehicles to operate on alternative fuels as a bi-fuel, dual-fuel, or dedicated vehicle
• Incremental cost expenses to purchase bi-fuel, dual-fuel, or dedicated vehicles
• The cost to purchase and install the necessary fleet refueling or home-refueling equipment for bi-fuel, dual-fuel, or dedicated vehicles
• The cost to perform research, training, development and demonstration of new applications or next-phase technology related to alternative fuel vehicles.

(Reference Title 73 Pennsylvania Statutes, Chapter 18E, Section 1647.3)

State Electric Vehicle (EV) Acquisition Requirements

Pennsylvania state agencies must replace 25% of their passenger car fleets with EVs by 2025 and evaluate fleet utilization for vehicle miles traveled reductions. Agencies must collectively reduce all energy consumption by 3% annually, with a 21% reduction from a 2017 baseline by 2025. To meet these goals, the Governor’s Green Government Council was reestablished to work with state agencies to oversee the development and implementation of procedures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy usage. (Reference Executive Order 2019-01, 2019)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Credit – Duquesne Light Company (DLC)

DLC offers a one-time bill credit of $60 to residential customers who purchase or lease a EV. For more information, including how to apply, see the DLC Electric Vehicles website.

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.

Commercial Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate - PECO

PECO offers commercial customers a rebate of for the purchase and installation of Level 2 EV charging stations. Rebate awards are $500 per port, up to $1,500, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Rebate recipients must share EV charging station utilization data upon request for three years after project completion. For more information, see the PECO Electric Vehicles website.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Support

Pennsylvania 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.

Pennsylvania's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Planning

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

Workplace Electric Vehicle (EV) Time-Of-Use (TOU) Rate – Duquesne Light Company (DLC)

DLC offers a TOU rate to small and medium-sized businesses that have an EV charging station at their location. Eligible businesses may not exceed a monthly metered demand of 200 megawatts. For more information, including eligibility requirements and how to enroll, see the DLC Business EV Rate webpage.

Fleet Electrification Assessment – Duquesne Light Company (DLC)

DLC offers advisory services to fleets to analyze fleet electrification opportunities. Eligible applicants must be DLC customers and include any commercial, municipal, or non-profit organization with light-, medium-, or heavy-duty fleet vehicles. For more information, see the DLC Fleet Electrification website.