Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

State agencies purchasing motor vehicles must give preference to hybrid, plug-in hybrid electric, all-electric, biodiesel, hydrogen, fuel cell, or flexible fuel vehicles when the performance, quality, and anticipated life cycle costs are comparable to other available motor vehicles. (Reference South Carolina Code of Laws 1-11-310)

The South Carolina Energy Office (SCEO) provides low interest loans for a variety of energy efficiency improvements, including AFV conversions and incremental costs, with qualified project payback periods. Eligible recipients include state agencies, local governments, public colleges and universities, school districts, and private non-profit organizations. Private non-profit organizations and local government entities may be eligible for loans of up to 100% of eligible project costs ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 per state fiscal year. For state agencies and public educational institutions, SCEO will provide 70% of each project's funding as a loan and entities may also be eligible for ConserFund Plus grant of up to 30% project cost. For more information, see the ConserFund website. (Reference South Carolina Code of Laws 48-52-650)

The South Carolina Business Development Corporation provides low interest loans for a variety of energy efficiency improvements, including AFV conversions and incremental costs, with qualified project payback periods. Eligible recipients include business and industries; utilities, non-profit organizations, and government entities may be eligible under special conditions. The loan may cover up to 100% of the project costs ranging from $50,000 to $1 million and must be repaid after one and one half times the projected payback period of the loan. For more information, including application deadlines, see the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan website. (Reference South Carolina Code of Laws 48-52-650)

A public electric utility may seek recovery of the costs associated with programs and resources related to distributed energy resources and load management technologies, including PEV charging, as part of a rate case filing through the South Carolina Public Service Commission. (Reference South Carolina Code of Laws 58-39-120 and 58-39-130)

Beginning January 1, 2018, owners of plug-in electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles must pay a biennial fee of $120, in addition to standard registration fees. Hybrid electric vehicle owners must pay a biennial fee of $60. (Reference House Bill 3516, 2017, and South Carolina Code of Laws 56-3-645 and 12-28-110(39))