Guide to Electric Vehicles in Rhode Island

While the state might be small, electric car ownership in Rhode Island is on the rise in a big way. Rhode Island's EV growth is rising with rebates and incentives promoting electric vehicle usage. This makes them a great option for your next trip.

Take a dive with us into everything EV in the sailing capital of the world. If you want to try green driving or own an electric vehicle in Rhode Island, we at HErtz have got you covered.

Jump to a section below:

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

How Many EVs Are There in Rhode Island?

There are an estimated 4000-4500 EV registrations across Rhode Island. That might not seem a huge amount, but you’d be surprised. With a size of 4001 square miles Rhode Island electric car ownership is one of the densest across all the US states. This means there are more EVs per square mile than in states such as Texas.

In 2021, the Rhode Island market recorded an estimated 2500 EVs. Overall this represents an 80-90% increase in adoption in the last year– healthy growth indeed.

On-the-road success is not the only driving force behind EV expansion. Rhode Island has adopted ZEV electric car incentive. This incentive brings together agencies and providers from both the private and public sectors for infrastructural growth. This all adds up to promoting electric and fuel cell vehicle adoption.

In Rhode Island, 4.7% of cars are already electric. This is great for EV's future as it's easier to build charging stations in a small state, where adoption has already risen to a great extent.

Are There Incentives for Electric Cars in Rhode Island?

Both private owners and state governments take on costs when establishing EV tech and vehicles. These costs can often create barriers to the growth of EV ownership in states like Rhode Island. To combat this issue, several electric car laws, incentives and mandates are being implemented:

• Rhode Island is growing its electric charging availability with the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI). This involves funding worth $23 million over a 5-year period.

• Buyers can get rebates for buying electric vehicles through the DRIVE EV rebate program in Rhode Island. These can save you up to $2500 on ZEVs and $1500 on PHEVs. This also extends to business use through the Fleet Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Rebates. These discounts apply to small businesses, non-profit organizations, and state and local governments.

• Vehicles exclusively working on electric power are also exempt from state emission inspections.

• The Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Incentive is the primary incentive in Rhode Island. This plan offers a refund of up to 100% on the installation cost of level 2 chargers. These chargers can be installed at offices, multi-unit housing, universities, and similar locations.

• Rhode Island joined the National Electric Highway Coalition (NEHC) in order to connect itself to the fast-charging systems being developed on the coast-to-coast highway system.

While rebates and incentives help increase EV popularity, Rhode Island is also setting up various laws to increase their use. Plans include a Climate Change action plan for achieving zero emissions and electric transit programs.

EV Registration, Licensing, and Fees in Rhode Island

When choosing to own an electric vehicle in Rhode Island, it’s important to consider all expenses. If you have an electric vehicle, you may need to pay a different fee for road costs.

• Registration Costs: Electric vehicle registration in Rhode Island costs $25.00 annually. There is also a $2.50 technology surcharge and a $15.00 DOT surcharge.

• Plate and Licensing Fees The cost of plates in Rhode Island is $32.50. Electric vehicles are charged an additional $2.50 tech surcharge, making their total cost $35.

• Taxation: Road tax is based on CO2 emissions, so taxation becomes more complicated. Currently, the DRIVE EV program in Rhode Island exempts BEVs from emission inspections and taxation.

• Bonuses: owning an electric vehicle in Rhode Island comes with many extra benefits. These include exclusive parking spots, free chargers, and bonus tax credits on purchases.

With the technical stuff out of the way, why not check out our Rhode Island driving guide for an even easier experience with your EV travels?

Rhode Island's EV Charging Network

Most EV charging stations in Rhode Island are located inland, but accessibility for charging is widespread. The state's relatively small size means you can drive an electric car without worrying about running out of charge

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of charging stations in Rhode Island:

• There are just over 750 EV chargers in Rhode Island (private and public)

• The typical charging rate is $0.21 per kWh. In addition, there are over 118 free charging points in the state, so it's easy to find a cheap place to charge.

• Government initiatives like the National Electric Highway Coalition (NEHC) highway charging program are improving EV charging infrastructure

• Although private dwelling credits are not specifically supported, the Rhode Island EV Charging Station incentive offers refunds to companies. The refunds pay for charging station installations in apartment complexes and other locations.

Let's Go! 

Despite not being a leader in mass EV adoption in the US, the people of Rhode Island are warming to the idea and the numbers continue to grow. Backed by the government and their plans to combat carbon emissions, the sailing state is making a change that could play out as a fundamental shift in its automobile use.

If you’re thinking of joining the millions of people who have taken the leap to driving electric cars in the US, find out more about electric vehicles on the Hertz blog.