Guide to Electric Vehicles in South Dakota

Electric vehicles (EVs) are taking the world by storm. There are more than two million EVs on the road in the United States alone. But what does electric car ownership look like in one of the least populated U.S states, South Dakota?

Read on for the ultimate guide to electric vehicles in South Dakota. We’ll cover registration fees, incentives, and the number of charging networks across the state.

In this guide:

• How many EVs are there in South Dakota?
• Are there incentives for electric cars in South Dakota?
• EV registration, licensing, and fees in South Dakota
  
• South Dakota charging network

How Many EVs Are There in South Dakota? 

According to information from the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), the number of EV registrations in South Dakota rose from 410 in 2020 (0.04% of total US EV registrations) to 680 (0.05% of total US EV registrations) in 2021, which represents a 66% YOY increase.

But what does electric car ownership in South Dakota look like in more recent years? According to data from the Department of Revenue, there are currently over 1.2 million vehicles registered in South Dakota. Additionally, recent data on EV adoption rates shows the number of EVs registered in South Dakota now stands at around 700. To put that into perspective, EVs make up around 5.83% of total registrations in South Dakota.

While this once again indicates a YOY increase in the number of EV registrations, the same study noted that South Dakota is one of the U.S states with the fewest number of EV registrations. However, South Dakota also happens to be one of the least populated states in the U.S and so this may explain why EV ownership and market share are among the lowest in the nation.

Are There Incentives for Electric Cars in South Dakota?

Yes. While South Dakota doesn’t offer any electric car rebates or tax credits, federal incentives may be available. For example, residents who purchase an EV may qualify for the Federal Electric Car Tax Credit of up to $7,000.

Residents can also check with their local electricity suppliers for any additional incentives as they may be eligible for rebates on home charging station installation. For example, Black Hills Energy currently offers customers a $500 rebate for the purchase and installation of a Level 2 home charging station. 

EV registration, licensing, and fees in South Dakota 

Before buying an EV in South Dakota, you should consider registration, licensing and fees, as these can differ from regular vehicles.

Registration fees

Car registration fees in South Dakota can vary depending on the vehicle’s age and weight. For example, it costs $75.60 to register a car less than 9 years old and $50 to register a car older than 9 years. While an additional $50.40 is required to register an electric vehicle.

Vehicle Excise Tax

Like most states, South Dakota imposes an excise tax on the purchase of all vehicles. Essentially, this is a tax levied against manufactured goods. In South Dakota, a 4% excise tax is applied to all motor vehicles registered within the state.

Licensing and insurance considerations

You’ll also need to consider licensing and insurance fees when purchasing an EV. It costs $28 to obtain a driver’s license in South Dakota. Additionally, you can expect insurance fees to be higher for an EV than for a regular car. As EVs require more complex equipment and technology, they typically cost more to repair and replace.

South Dakota EV charging network

There are around 550 electric car charging stations in South Dakota. Many of these are Level 2 chargers, but you’ll also find a good number of Level 3 and Tesla chargers. Charging an EV is generally cheaper than fueling up a gas tank. You can expect to pay between $1.50 to $14 per charge. Some charging stations across the state are also free to use.

South Dakota is also part of a federal plan to implement fast-charging stations throughout the state. Once completed, the charging network in South Dakota will connect to the national network to provide accessible charging for all EVs .

Let's Go!

South Dakota may not be the most popular state when it comes to electric car ownership, but with major plans to install a network of fast-charging stations across the state, this is likely to impact the number of future registrations.

Enjoy The Mount Rushmore State in a Hertz rental