Guide to Electric Vehicles in Kansas

It’s no surprise that a state with a bountiful supply of corn - and therefore easy access to alternative biofuels – doesn’t top the charts when it comes to EV (electric vehicle) sales. Kansas may be incentivizing every Alternative Fuel Vehicle except electric cars, but it hasn’t stopped a steady rise in EVs over the last few years.

With the state firmly behind biofuels, we take a look at what it’s really like to drive an EV in Kansas.

Jump to the section:

• How Many EVs Are There in Kansas?
• Are There Incentives for Electric Cars in Kansas?
• EV registration, licensing, and fees in Kansas
• Kansas EV charging network

How Many EVs Are There in Kansas?

Of the 2.6 million vehicles registered in Kansas, 7,600 are EVs. Making up a small portion of the state’s registered vehicles, EVs have yet to really take off. The numbers are rising - but year-on-year increases in sales figures aren’t matching other states across the US. With a 45.16% rise from 2020 to 2021 and a 68.88% rise from 2021 to 2022, Kansas has a way to go to reach the 100%+ rises seen elsewhere.

Looking at the wider electric vehicle market in Kansas reveals a different story. Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) numbers are high at 43,500 and the 4,300 Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) show there is a market for alternative fuels in Kansas.

Kansas is yet to copy California’s Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) program - which may account for the lack of incentives on offer to the state’s drivers. But the EV outlook is still positive for the Sunflower State. Around $39.5 million of federal money will be invested in the electric charging station network in the coming years and the state expects EV numbers to triple in that time.

Are There Incentives for Electric Cars in Kansas?

There are no state-backed incentives for EV purchases in Kansas. But that needn’t deter drivers planning to go green. Federal tax credits, home charging station rebates and free parking are just some of the perks available.

• Tax Rebates - Electric car tax credit in Kansas may not be provided by the state, but EV owners may still be eligible to claim Federal Tax Credits for their vehicles. EV tax credits  start at $2,500 and increase to as much as $7,500 for new EVs, so it’s worth checking if you’re able to make a claim.
• Manufacturer Rebates - Car dealers and EV manufacturers may run their own electric car incentives in Kansas. At any given time, retailers could be offering rebates or bonus cash back offers. It’s worth asking if you need to be part of a specific subscription or mailing list to be eligible if you’re shopping for an EV.
• Home Charging Station Rebates - Utility company Evergy offers customers rebates of up to $500 to buy a Level 2 EV Charger.  To access the higher incentive rate, customers will need to sign up to a specific plan. Alternatively, a lower incentive of $250 is available for EV home charging .
• Free Parking and Charging - Some electric car charging station locations across Kansas offer free parking and/or free charging to customers and visitors. Charging station locations range from parking lots to hotels, shopping centers and parks. Using a website such as plugshare.com makes it easy to find EV charging locations across Kansas.

EV registration, licensing, and fees in Kansas

Electric car incentives in Kansas may fall short for EV drivers, but happily the added costs of driving an electric vehicle are low. Let’s take a look at the state’s stance on fees, insurance and taxes.

• Registration Fees - Electric car laws in Kansas are simple. If you own an EV, you’ll need to pay an annual registration fee of $100. The fee drops to just $50 if you own a PHEV or HEV.
• Insurance costs - There are no electric car grants or rebates in Kansas that require insurance companies to offer discounted rates to EV drivers. That doesn’t stop you shopping around though. There may still be cheaper premiums and offers to be found. Though, on average EV drivers can expect to pay anything up to $100 more a month than owners of gas-powered cars. Electric car insurance  costs vary from car to car and depend on a number of variables, including location, make and model of car and your driving history.
• State Sales Tax - This isn’t necessarily an incentive, but it may help to know that there are no additional electric car sales tax fees in Kansas. EV drivers will still need to pay the state’s tax rates (and local taxes) but won’t incur any additional fees.
  
  

Kansas EV charging network

Whether you’re buying or renting an EV in Kansas, charging locations, costs and accessibility are all important factors. We’ll walk you through the Kansas EV charging scene to make your next commute - or road trip - that little bit easier. 

• 1389 EV charging stations are spread across Kansas, making EV journeys easier and reducing range anxiety.
• Free charging locations may reduce the cost of EV driving around Kansas, but they aren’t always available - or convenient.
• Typical costs range from $14 for a full charge using a Level 1 charger to $40 for a Level 2 charger. The more efficient DC fast chargers get the job done quicker and cost up to $30 for a full battery charge. Don’t forget to check for hidden costs - including parking, idling and per hour fees.
• Kansas’ National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) planning - As part of a national plan to improve access to EV chargers across the US, Kansas received $5.8 million in 2022 and expects to receive $8.4 million in 2023. The money is being spent on creating 1,417 of ‘alternative fuel corridors’ that make driving across the state - and recharging your EV, easier.
  

Electric car ownership in Kansas may be projected to triple in the next few years, but it’s hard to see how those numbers will be achieved without incentives. Currently, the EV charging station network can handle the 55,400 EVs, PHEVs and HEVs on the highways – but time will tell whether it supply the additional expected zero-emissions traffic and if it can challenge more traditional forms of driving in Kansas.

Read more about all things electric vehicles on our blog.

Let's Go!

There's been slow uptake so far, and there are no rebates. But, expect things to change. With a $39.5 million Federal investment, and the option to claim Federal Tax Credits - things are clearly heading in the right electric direction.