Guide to Electric Vehicles in Nevada

Electric car ownership in Nevada is steadily climbing, with new registrations almost doubling in recent years. Following the lead of their neighbor and electric trailblazer, California, the Silver State is going for gold.

Nevada’s growing appetite for electric vehicles and greener energy has been rallied by new initiatives and millions of dollars of funding, all with the aim of reducing transportation emissions.

Learn more about electric cars in Nevada, including rebates, ownership fees and incentives to consider with our guide.

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

How Many EVs Are There in Nevada?

According to data by Experian Information Solutions, as of December 2022, there are more than 32,950 registered EVs (electric vehicles) on the road in Nevada. This is a dramatic increase from previous years, growing almost two-fold from 17,400 in 2021.

Electric car ownership in Nevada makes up 1.3 percent of all registered vehicles, which is around 104 EVs per 10,000 people. By comparison, electric cars in California make up 2.5 percent of all vehicles, with 232 EVs per 10,000 people.

While Nevada’s interest in electric cars is clearly on the rise, the state aims to boost these figures even more. Taking advantage of federal funding and green-thinking initiatives, it looks like cleaner transportation is very much on the horizon.

Nevada has recently adopted California’s approach to electric sustainability with a Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program, setting out requirements effective by 2025. It aims to introduce more clean vehicle technology in Nevada by requiring car manufacturers to produce a certain percentage of zero-emission cars each year.

Manufacturers will earn credits for each car produced, with targets increasing every year. By 2025, EVs are expected to make up seven to eight percent of all vehicles for sale.

Nevada’s ZEV program will go hand in hand with a new Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) program as part of the Clean Cars Nevada initiative . Nevada is the 16^th state in the country to adopt Clean Car Standards to help reduce emissions and air pollution.

But what does this mean for drivers? For now, drivers won’t be required to switch to EVs. Instead, the Clean Cars Standards will reward manufacturers for producing more EVs, making EVs more readily available locally.

Are There Incentives for Electric Cars in Nevada?

Alongside being enjoyable to drive, with lower maintenance demands and often better performance than their fuel equivalents, there are various enticing incentives for driving electric in Nevada. Picture yourself driving down photogenic desert highways with absolutely no emissions. This is the future of exploring breathtaking Nevada .

Nevada Energy is doing the hard work to make Nevada’s roads and air greener and cleaner. The utility company has received approximately $170 million in funding towards electric transportation programs – which is great news for new EV owners.

Meanwhile, Nevada’s new Clean Trucks and Buses Incentive was recently passed into law, incentivizing businesses and public organizations to switch to electric vehicles.

Base incentives will range from $20,000 for the smallest vehicle classes to $175,000 for heavier vehicle classes. Schools, small businesses and independent truck owners can also see additional benefits on top of the base reward.

Discover more electric car incentives in Nevada below.

Electric car rebates in Nevada

Most electric car rebates are run by local utility companies such has Nevada Energy, rather than by the state. For example, Nevada Energy offers low-income customers a $2,500 rebate when they purchase a qualifying new or used electric car.

Residential customers can also claim rebates up to $500  when they buy a Level 2 EV charging station.

Electric car tax credit in Nevada

You can receive both federal and local tax credits for electric cars in Nevada.

Federal EV Tax Credit can offer:

• A maximum of $7,500 for new EVs.
• A maximum of $4,000 (limited to 30 percent of the sale price) for used EVs.
• 30% credit on EV charging infrastructure up to $1,000 for consumers and $30,000 for businesses.

If you live in Nevada, it’s a good idea to check with your local utility provider for any available credit and incentive programs.

Everyday perks of electric car use in Nevada

There are plenty of other perks to make the most of your electric wheels. These include:

• A lower charging rate – EV customers can get a discount on their charging time during off-peak hours (10pm to 8pm), provided by Nevada Energy.
• Carpool lane access – EVs can use the carpool lane regardless of how many passengers are in the car.
• Free parking – Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) can park in metered parking areas for free, although you’ll need to apply for and display an AFV decal.
• Exempt from emissions inspection fees – All new alternative fuel vehicles are exempt from emissions testing for the first five model years.

EV Registration, Licensing, and Fees in Nevada

While you can find various electric car subsidies and rebates to help you along, there are other costs to consider too.

Electric car registration fees in Nevada

Some states apply an additional registration fee for hybrid and electric cars on top of standard motor registration fees. However, Nevada does not charge additional fees for electric vehicles.

Standard registration fees are calculated based on the class and weight of your vehicle. Every passenger car will be subject to a registration fee of at least $33, or $28.25 for a first time Nevada title.

In Nevada, you must renew your registration every year. 

Standard and personalized electric car license plate fees

• Standard EV license plates cost $80 to purchase and $46 to renew
• Personalized EV license plates cost $125 to purchase and $66 to renew

Electric car insurance costs in Nevada

Car insurance for EVs can vary depending on the type of car and the insurance plan you choose. The national average ranges anywhere between $2,000 for full insurance cover and $600 for minimum cover. In Nevada, the average monthly cost of electric car insurance is around $235, or $83 per month at its cheapest.  

However, your insurance premium can be influenced by various other factors, including your:

• Driving history
• Claims history
• Driving experience
• Location
• Deductibles

If you drive a Tesla in Nevada, you can also get Tesla Insurance directly through the automotive manufacturer.

Nevada EV charging network

There are more than 1,650 electric car charging stations in Nevada, with more than 1,100 in the Las Vegas Henderson Paradise area. Nevada is revving up to provide even more charging facilities with millions of dollars invested in improving electric infrastructure.

Anyone driving an electric car down US Route 95 from Reno to Las Vegas – now coined the ‘Nevada Electric Highway’ – will also benefit from all-new charging stations. The EV accessible route will make it even easier to get around Nevada by electric car.

How much does electric car charging cost in Nevada?

Nevada ties with Washington ranking at No. 7 for charging costs in the US. On average, it may cost around 15 cents per kWh to charge your EV at home , and approximately 25 cents per kWh at a public charging station. For a full charge, you might expect to spend between $10 and $15.

However, the real cost of charging your EV can depend on the size of the battery and what kind of charging port you use.

There are several free public charging stations across Nevada, including:

• 172 in Las Vegas Henderson Paradise 
• 91 in Reno 
• 10 in Elko

Looking for an EV charger on the move? Visit Electrify America to find one near you.

Thanks to countrywide federal funding and Nevada Energy’s supportive programs, Nevada is inching ever closer to its dream green ambitions. The state’s push toward cleaner transportation is part of their its wider environmental goals. Nevada aims to improve overall emissions and increase its renewable portfolio standard to 50 percent by 2030.

The best part? It all works toward making electric driving that much more accessible for residents of the Silver State, which is what we like to see.

So what are you waiting for? Learn more about electric vehicles and how to charge your EV for less on the Hertz blog today.