Wisconsin EV incentives, tax credits and rebates

Current EV incentives in Wisconsin

Wisconsin lacks statewide EV incentives, but you can still benefit from federal tax credits to reduce both vehicle purchase costs and charging infrastructure expenses. You also may qualify for local utility programs.

If you’re a Wisconsin resident, you can take advantage of the federal tax credit, which provides up to $7,500 for the purchase of a new EV, depending on the vehicle’s battery capacity and other factors. This federal incentive helps make EV ownership more attainable by significantly reducing the upfront cost. However, no additional state-sponsored rebates or credits for EV purchases are available in Wisconsin.

On the other hand, you can qualify for the federal Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Tax Credit to reduce the cost of charging equipment. Some local utility providers in Wisconsin also offer rebates and incentives for EV charger installation. Time-of-use rates can also lower charging costs by incentivizing you to charge your vehicle during off-peak hours.

These incentives aim to make the transition to EVs more convenient and encourage infrastructure development, even in the absence of state-level programs.

Electric vehicle purchase incentives in Wisconsin

Wisconsin doesn’t offer any financial incentives for the purchase of a new or used EV. However, you can take advantage of the federal EV tax credit.

While Wisconsin doesn’t provide any statewide financial incentives for purchasing an electric vehicle, residents can still benefit from federal programs. The federal EV tax credit is a significant incentive, offering up to $7,500 for the purchase of a new electric vehicle and up to $4,000 for a used EV.

What’s more, this tax credit is essentially a point-of-sale rebate that reduces the cost of the vehicle at the dealership. Still, eligibility relies on the vehicle’s battery capacity and other qualifying factors, including weight and cost.

The vehicle MSRP can’t exceed $70,000 for vans, SUVs and pickup trucks or $55,000 for other vehicles. It must also have a battery capacity of at least seven kilowatt hours, weigh less than 14,000 pounds and undergo final assembly in North America.

» LEARN: What are tax credits?

EV charging equipment incentives in Wisconsin

EV charging equipment incentives are available for Wisconsin residents through the federal government and two local utility companies.

Like many other states, Wisconsin doesn’t offer financial incentives for installing an EV charger at your home. However, the federal Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Tax Credit offers up to $1,000 in tax credits for the installation of qualified vehicle refueling and recharging equipment.

Depending on your utility provider, you may qualify for additional incentives. Riverland Energy Cooperative offers rebates of up to $400 per charger on load control and $800 per smart charger with integrated metering. You can also take advantage of the EV CHARGE N SAVE time of use rate.

If you’re a Madison Gas and Electric customer, you won’t qualify for an EV charger rebate, but you can earn a monthly credit on your electric bill for charging during off-peak hours — even if you don’t have an EV charger. You can save up to $8 per month in the summer and $4 per month during the rest of the year.

How much can EV incentives save you in Wisconsin?

EV incentive eligibility varies, so we can’t tell you the exact amount you’ll save by purchasing an electric vehicle. Still, we compiled some examples of what you could save in Wisconsin when buying a new Tesla Model Y or a used Chevy Bolt EV. Here’s how financial incentives in Wisconsin could impact the overall cost of these cars:

Example savings