Electric Vehicles in
South Carolina
Incentives, charging infrastructure, right-to-charge laws, and savings data for EV owners in South Carolina.
Incentives & Credits
Fuel Savings
Right-to-Charge Law
South Carolina does not currently have a right-to-charge law.
Landlord Incentives: Property owners may qualify for the federal Section 30C tax credit.
Charging Infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions
What EV rebates does South Carolina offer in 2026?
As of 2026, South Carolina new-EV buyers can access: No state credit (Federal credit ended Sept 30, 2025). Used EV buyers: Federal used EV credit ended Sept 30, 2025. The annual EV registration fee is $60 biennial EV fee ($120 every 2 years). The federal Clean Vehicle Credit (§30D) and Used EV Credit (§25E) both expired September 30, 2025 under the OBBBA.
Are there rebates for installing a home EV charger in South Carolina?
Duke Energy and Dominion Energy offer EV programs South Carolina EV owners can also claim the federal 30C Alternative Fuel Refueling Property Credit — 30% of installation cost up to $1,000 for residential chargers — if their home is in an eligible census tract and the charger is placed in service before June 30, 2026 (the OBBBA-accelerated sunset date).
What EV incentives are available in South Carolina?
South Carolina EV buyers can access No state credit (Federal credit ended Sept 30, 2025). Used EV buyers may qualify for Federal used EV credit ended Sept 30, 2025. Duke Energy and Dominion Energy offer EV programs. The annual EV registration fee is $60 biennial EV fee ($120 every 2 years).
Does South Carolina have a right-to-charge law?
South Carolina does not currently have a statewide right-to-charge law. Tenants and condo owners should check local ordinances and negotiate directly with landlords or HOA boards.
How much does it cost to charge an EV in South Carolina?
The average electricity rate in South Carolina is $0.164/kWh. For a typical EV using 30 kWh per 100 miles, this works out to about $590 per year to drive 12,000 miles on electricity, compared to approximately $1140 per year on gasoline. EV owners in South Carolina save an estimated $631 per year on fuel.
Compare South Carolina to Neighboring States
EV incentives, fees, and sales-tax treatment vary sharply across state lines — sometimes by hundreds of dollars a year for the same car. See how South Carolina's bordering states stack up.
EV Ownership in South Carolina: What You Need to Know
South Carolina has approximately 25,000 registered EVs and charges a $60 biennial EV fee. The state does not offer additional purchase incentives but benefits from growing manufacturing investments, including Scout Motors and BMW's EV production. Duke Energy offers EV programs for customers.
With an average electricity rate of $0.164 per kWh and gas prices averaging $2.85 per gallon, EV owners in South Carolina can expect to save approximately $631 per year on fuel compared to a traditional gasoline vehicle. These savings add up significantly over the typical ownership period of 5-7 years, potentially totaling $3,786+ in fuel savings alone — before accounting for reduced maintenance costs.
South Carolina currently has 1,800 public charging stations, including 450 DC fast chargers for quick highway stops. With 25,000 registered electric vehicles, the state's charging infrastructure provides good coverage. The federal NEVI program continues to fund new fast-charging corridors across the state, making long-distance EV travel increasingly practical.
Ready to see how much you'd save by going electric?
Try the EV Savings Calculator →