Maryland Incentives and Laws for EVs

The list below contains summaries of all Maryland incentives and laws related to EVs.

State Incentives

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Tax Credit

Effective July 1, 2011, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) offers an income tax credit equal to 20% of the cost of qualified EVSE that meets the definition of qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property as set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. The credit may not exceed $400 or the state income tax imposed for that tax year, whichever is greater. The tax credit is limited to one EVSE system per individual and 30 EVSE systems per business entity. Individuals and businesses must apply to MEA for the credit. Unused credits may not be carried over. MEA may adopt regulations to limit the credit amounts. Total funds currently available for the tax credit are $400,000 for the 2011 tax year; $500,000 for the 2012 tax year; and $600,000 for the 2013 tax year. (Reference House Bill 163, 2011, and Maryland Statutes, Tax-General Code 10-729)

Plug-In Electric Vehicle Tax Credit

Purchasers of qualified all-electric (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) may apply for a tax credit of up to $2,000 against the imposed excise tax. The tax credit is limited to one vehicle per individual and 10 vehicles per business entity. Vehicles must be registered in Maryland, unless the vehicle manufacturer conforms to applicable state or federal laws or regulations governing clean-fuel vehicles or EVs during the year in which the vehicle was purchased, or the vehicle was originally registered in another state. A qualified vehicle must meet the following criteria:

• Has a gross vehicle weight rating not to exceed 8,500 pounds;
• Can achieve a maximum speed of at least 55 miles per hour;
• Is a two-, three-, or four-wheeled vehicle;
• Is propelled to a significant extent by an electric motor that draws electricity from a battery with a capacity of at least four kilowatt hours in the case of a four-wheeled motor vehicle, or at least 2.5 kilowatt hours in the case of a two- or three-wheeled motor vehicle;
• Has not been modified from original manufacturer specifications; and
• Is purchased between October 1, 2010, and July 1, 2013.

(Reference Maryland Statutes, Transportation Code 13-815)

Electric Truck Purchase Vouchers

The Maryland Energy Administration provides vouchers for the purchase of new all-electric trucks. Eligible vehicles must have a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds and be registered for on-road use in the state of Maryland. Vouchers of $20,000 are available for qualified vehicles purchased from a dealership in Maryland or directly from a manufacturer located outside of Maryland. Vouchers of $15,000 are available for qualified vehicles purchased through a dealership located outside of Maryland. All applicants must submit their application for funding by June 15, 2013, limited to five vouchers per motor carrier. The voucher program will end December 31, 2013. For eligibility requirements and application information, see the Maryland Electric Truck Voucher Program website.

Electric Vehicle (EV) High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption

Permitted EVs may operate in Maryland HOV lanes regardless of the number of occupants. Qualified EVs must be propelled to a significant extent by an electric motor that draws electricity from a battery with a capacity of at least four kilowatt hours. To operate in HOV lanes, EV owners must obtain a permit from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). The MVA may charge a permit fee of up to $20 and may issue a limited number of permits. Each year the MVA and the State Highway Administration must report plug-in EV use in HOV lanes to the governor. This exemption expires September 30, 2013. (Reference Maryland Statutes, Transportation Code 25-108)

Utility/Private Incentives

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Incentive - Coulomb Technologies

Coulomb Technologies' ChargePoint America program offers EVSE at no cost to individuals or entities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. To be eligible for a public or commercial charging system, an entity must be located within the Washington, DC metropolitan area and in defined potentially "high use" areas, and provide public access to the charging system. Companies and municipalities may apply on the ChargePoint America Web site. To be eligible for free home charging stations, individuals living within the specified area must purchase a qualified electric vehicle (EV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Individuals purchasing an eligible EV or PHEV should apply for the ChargePoint America program at the dealership or with the vehicle manufacturer at the time of vehicle purchase. In most cases, installation will be paid for by the EVSE owner; some cities, states, and utilities, however, will provide funding towards installation costs. All participants in the ChargePoint America program must agree to anonymous data collection after installation. Additional restrictions may apply.

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Incentive - ECOtality

Through the EV Project, ECOtality offers EVSE at no cost to individuals in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. To be eligible for free home charging stations, individuals living within the specified area must purchase a qualified electric vehicle (EV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Individuals purchasing an eligible EV or PHEV should apply at the dealership at the time of vehicle purchase. The EV Project incentive program will also cover most, if not all, of the costs of EVSE installation. All participants in the EV Project incentive program must agree to anonymous data collection after installation. Additional restrictions may apply.

Laws and Regulations

Plug-in Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Promotion

The Maryland Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council (Council) was created, effective July 1, 2011, to promote the use of all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in the state. Specific responsibilities of the Council include the following:

• Develop an action plan to facilitate successful integration of EVs and PHEVs into the Maryland transportation network;
• Assist in developing and coordinating statewide standards for streamlined permitting and installation of electric vehicle supply equipment;
• Recommend a statewide charging infrastructure plan and incentives to support investment in EVs and PHEVs;
• Develop targeted policies to support fleet purchases of EVs and PHEVs; and
• Encourage local and regional efforts to promote the use of EVs and PHEVs.

The Maryland Department of Transportation must provide staff support to the Council with the assistance of the Maryland Energy Administration and the Maryland Public Service Commission. The Council must submit an interim report and recommendations to the governor by January 1, 2012, and a final report and recommendations by December 1, 2012. The Council will remain in place through June 2013.

(Reference House Bill 167, 2011)

Provision for Plug-In Electric Vehicle Charging Incentives

By June 30, 2013, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) must establish a pilot program for electric customers to charge all-electric (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) during off-peak hours. The pilot program must include at least two electric companies and provide incentives for residential, commercial, and governmental customers to charge EVs and PHEVs. The incentives should increase the efficiency and reliability of the electric distribution system and lower electricity use at times of high demand. The incentives may include time-of-use pricing, credits on distribution charges, rebates on the cost of charging systems, demand response programs, or other incentives approved by PSC. (Reference Senate Bill 179, 2011, and Maryland Statutes, Public Utilities Code 7-211)

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Content Last Updated: 07/14/2011