What EV Charging Incentives are Available?

2022-09-03 08:39:24 By : Mr. Mr. Yu

Many new electric vehicles (EVs) come with complimentary public charging. Details vary by automaker, but the basic premise is to offer buyers several years of unlimited free charging or a specific amount of free electricity to use during a set period.

Generally, these free charging plans are non-transferable, and some require using a particular app or energy provider. Free charging sessions may incur fees if you leave your car parked at the station longer than allowed.

Below you will find a list of all EV models available for the 2022 and 2023 model years and any charger or charging station incentives offered by the manufacturer.

Audi E-tron/E-tron Sportback—Buyers get 250 kilowatt hours (kWh) worth of complimentary charging at Electrify America stations. Owners can access the free electricity for up to two years from initial enrollment.

Audi E-tron GT—The E-tron GT comes with three years of complimentary fast charging sessions on the Electrify America network.

Audi E-tron S/E-tron Sportback S—Same as the E-tron/E-tron Sportback.

Audi Q4 E-tron—Same as the E-tron/E-tron Sportback.

BMW i4—Each 2023 BMW i4 EV comes with two years of complimentary 30-minute charging sessions from Electrify America. BMW says a half-hour session will add around 200 miles of range to the i4. Accessing the sessions requires the use of the Electrify America mobile app.

BMW iX—Same as the i4.

Cadillac Lyriq—Cadillac will provide two years of optional “unlimited” public fast charging on the EVgo network. GM says there will be limits on this offer but hasn’t announced full details.

Chevrolet Bolt EV/Bolt EUV—General Motors offers new Bolt EV and Bolt EUV buyers a choice between two charging benefits.

The first option is a $500 credit for the EVgo fast-charging network. Owners must activate the credit during the first six months of ownership, and any unused credit will remain active for three years.

The second option is assistance with installing a home charger (but not purchasing the charging unit itself). This assistance can apply to the installation of a standard home charger, including a 240-volt outlet to power it, with a value of up to $1,000. Homes that need more than a standard installation, such as switching out the electrical panel to accommodate a charger, can get a credit worth up to $1,000. Both installation types also come with up to $250 to cover permitting fees.

Ford E-Transit—Ford does not offer any free charging incentive for this commercial electric vehicle. Still, E-Transit drivers can use Ford’s BlueOval Charge Network to find and connect to stations.

Ford F-150 Lightning—Buyers get two charging benefits with their new EV pickup. The first is 250 kWh of free DC fast charging at Electrify America stations using the FordPass Rewards app. The two-year trial starts when the truck’s new-vehicle limited warranty goes into effect and requires you to activate Ford’s connected services.

The other charging benefit is two years of access to Ford’s BlueOval Charge Network. This benefit allows Ford EV drivers to visit stations from multiple providers, including Electrify America, ChargePoint, EVgo, and others, using just one account. Some of these stations offer free charging, while others cost money.

Ford Mustang Mach-E—Ford’s Mach-E charging offers are the same as those for the F-150 Lightning.

Genesis GV60—Each new GV60 comes with three years of free 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America stations, starting on the purchase date.

GMC Hummer EV—GM hasn’t announced any charging offers for the Hummer EV, but the automaker usually works with EVgo for network incentives.

Hyundai Ioniq 5—The Ioniq 5 comes with two years of free, 30-minute DC fast-charging sessions on Electrify America’s network. On a 350-kW fast charger, the Ioniq 5 can charge its battery from 10 to 80 percent full in around 18 minutes.

Hyundai Kona Electric—Buyers get 250 kWh of free fast charging at any Electrify America station. That should be good for around 1,000 miles of range.

Jaguar I-Pace—Jaguar does not offer any charging network incentives for purchasers of its I-Pace all-electric SUV.

Kia EV6—The new Kia EV6 comes with 1,000 kWh complimentary charging on Electrify America’s fast-charging network. The credits last three years, starting on the vehicle purchase date, and are unavailable if you buy your Kia in Alaska.

Kia Niro EV—There are no charger or charging-station incentives available for the Niro EV.

Lucid Air—Customers can get either one or two years of free charging at Electrify America fast-charging stations. Buyers must reserve their EV by the end of 2022 to qualify for the benefit. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Performance trim levels get two years of access, while the Touring and Pure trims get one year. Lucid said the complimentary sessions are for “reasonable” personal use, and idle fees may apply once a 10-minute grace period ends after charging.

Mazda MX-30—MX-30 EV buyers can get a $500 credit to buy a ChargePoint Home Flex charging station. Owners can also apply the $500 toward charging at public ChargePoint stations in the United States.

Mercedes-Benz EQB—Mercedes offers two years of MercedesMe Charge to all EQB buyers. Similar to Ford’s BlueOval Charge Network, MercedesMe Charge uses one account to access “almost all charging stations in North America,” thanks to a partnership with ChargePoint, Mercedes says. This benefit will also apply to buyers of all future EQ models.

EQB buyers can also get two years of complimentary 30-minute charging sessions at all Electrify America DC fast chargers. The two-year time period starts upon account activation.

Mercedes-Benz EQS—Same as the EQB.

Mini Cooper SE Electric—Mini has not announced any charging incentives for its EV.

Nissan Ariya—Nissan hasn’t delivered any Ariyas in the U.S. yet. Still, anyone who reserved one by January 31, 2022, and who purchases their new EV by December 31, 2022, can get a $500 credit for EVgo stations. Only the first 10,000 Ariya customers will get this benefit.

Nissan Leaf—Customers who buy a new 2022 Nissan Leaf in a participating market will get $250 in EVgo charging credits. Buyers of the 2023 Leaf will get a $100 credit. Nissan said the $100 credit is worth around 12 fast charging sessions, while the $250 benefit is good for up to 30 sessions. The credits are active for 12 months from the date of vehicle purchase.

Polestar 2—All Polestar 2 owners get two years of free charging at Electrify America stations. These free charging sessions are limited to 30 minutes, and you can only use them at stations up to 150 kW. Polestar introduced this program in October 2021 but made it retroactive to anyone who bought their EV before that date.

Porsche Taycan—Taycan buyers receive three years of unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions at Electrify America locations. They can also charge for an hour free at Electrify America’s slower Level 2 stations.

Porsche also works with premium locations, like high-end hotels, to build Porsche Destination Charging stations. All electric Porsches can charge free of charge at these stations.

Rivian R1S—Rivian is just starting to build its fast-charging stations near heavily trafficked roads and remote areas. Called the Rivian Adventure Network, these stations can add up to 140 miles of range to your EV in 20 minutes. Only Rivian EVs can charge at these Adventure stations.

Thus far, the automaker has installed only a small handful of chargers, but Rivian plans to have 3,500 DC fast chargers at around 600 sites eventually. The company is also installing 10,000 Level 2 chargers called Waypoints.

Rivian drivers will get a free membership to the Rivian chargers that starts when they buy their vehicle. The membership includes benefits other than access to the chargers, but Rivian isn’t saying exactly how long the complimentary trial period lasts. Drivers can choose to pay to continue the membership when it expires.

Rivian R1T—Same as the R1S.

Subaru Solterra—Buyers of the new Solterra EV can take a $400 incentive in one of two ways. Like the choice Chevrolet Bolt buyers face, Subaru is offering either $400 toward the cost of installing a Level 2 home charger or a $400 credit for EVgo public charging stations.

Tesla no longer offers any charger or public station incentives. Instead, the company directs customers to contact their local utility or government for any available incentives. The company used to provide lifetime free Supercharging sessions for its customers, but that ended in 2017. Tesla then shifted to offering 400 kWh worth of Supercharger credits (good for around 1,000 miles) a year. That ended in late 2018.

Toyota bZ4X—Customers who buy a new 2023 Toyota bZ4X get one year of unlimited free charging sessions at EVgo-owned and -operated public charging stations nationwide.

Volkswagen ID.4—The new VW ID.4 comes with three years of 30-minute charging sessions on the Electrify America DC fast-charging network, starting when you buy your EV. Idle fees may apply after 30 minutes.

Volvo C40 Recharge—Buying a new C40 Recharge means you get 250 kWh of free charging at Electrify America stations under the Volvo DC Fast Charging Plan. These credits are good for three years. After exhausting those credits, C40 Recharge owners will get a 12-month Electrify America Pass+ membership.

Volvo XC40 Recharge—Same as the C40 Recharge.

Automakers are attempting to convince people to switch to electric vehicles by offering free charging deals. While all current incentives are limited in some way, they could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in the first few years you own your new EV.

If you’d like to learn more about new EVs, check out our Shopping Guides.

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