Guide to Electric Vehicles in Utah

The number of electric vehicles in Utah has been steadily increasing for the last several years. In 2022, for the first time, Utah welcomed more electric vehicles to the state than diesel vehicles.

Despite this, EVs still account for less than one percent of total vehicles in Utah. However, the state government has implemented various electric car incentives in Utah to try and increase the number of electric vehicles on the road.

Learn all about the available electric car rebates in Utah, including the Utah electric car tax credit and other news that might come in handy if you’re planning on going green in the Beehive State.

Jump to a Section:

• How many EVs are there in Utah?
• Are there incentives for EV ownership in Utah?
• EV registration, licensing, and fees in Utah
• Utah EV charging network 

How Many EVs Are There in Utah?

While Utah is currently not leading the way when it comes to electric car ownership or EV registrations, it is slowly increasing. As of December 2022, there were over 28,000 registered electric vehicles in Utah. But, in 2021, EVs only accounted for less than one percent of the state’s total vehicle registration .

The state has increased its number of registered EVs and now accounts for just over one percent of total EVs registered in the US. Utah experienced a 46.75% year-on-year increase when comparing vehicle registrations from 2020 to 2021.

The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program in Utah is expected to increase the number of vehicles available in the state , by establishing requirements for ZEVs and qualifying vehicles for sale.

The Utah government has also celebrated the eighth annual Governor’s Declaration for Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Awareness Month, where it encouraged Utah residents to make the most of Utah electric car tax credits and incentives.

Are There Incentives for Electric Cars in Utah?

Yes, despite the state currently only having a small percentage of electric vehicles, there are various electric car incentives in Utah.

•        Utah offers a federal EV tax credit for leasing or purchasing EVs. You may be eligible for up to $7,500 depending on the battery capacity. If you lease you can enjoy lower monthly payments.
•        There’s also Heavy-Duty Alternative Fuel Vehicle Tax Credit available on qualifying heavy-duty AFVs. You could be eligible for credit up to $13,500 under certain conditions
•        The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Conversion to Alternate Fuel Grant Program offers grants to both businesses and government entities that purchase clean vehicles or install conversion equipment to eligible vehicles. These savings are passed on to the individuals who purchase the vehicles. The grants may cover 100% of the costs of buying a clean vehicle or 50% of a conversion – up to a total of $2,500 .

Another electric car rebate Utah offers is the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Rebate. This provides rebates of up to 50% of the cost to buy and install Level 2 and direct current fast charging (DCFC) stations. Businesses based in Utah and non-profit organizations may be eligible for up to $75,000 each

EV Registration, Licensing, and Fees in Utah

Electric car law in Utah states that you must pay an additional fee to register your EV. This goes towards the road system in place of the gas tax revenue that conventional vehicle owners pay.

As an owner of an electric or hybrid vehicle, you can either pay a flat fee of:

•        $130.25 for an electric vehicle
•        $56.50 for a plug-in hybrid vehicle
•        $21.75 for a gas hybrid vehicle 

Or you can choose to enroll in the Road Usage Charge Program and be charged one cent per mile up to the flat fee amount. This amount is capped so you will not need to pay any more than the registration fee – no matter how many miles you drive.

If your vehicle meets specified emission standards, you may be eligible for Clean Air Vehicle (CAV) decals. This enables single occupancy use of High Occupancy Vehicle lanes . To get a Clean Vehicle Pass, you will need to pay $10 and complete a short application.

Utah EV Charging Network

It’s never been easier to charge your electric car in Utah. The state is becoming increasingly electric vehicle-friendly thanks to the growing number of EV chargers across the state. There are now over 2,000 electric car charging stations in Utah, including many ‘fast charge’ stations that can get your vehicle fully charged and ready to go in 30 minutes .

The top EV-friendly cities in Utah are Salt Lake City, Provo-Orem, Ogden-Clearfield, and St. George . You can use apps like PlugShare to find out where to charge your electric car while on the move.

You can use regular household outlets to charge your EV at home if you wish. You can use a 120-volt AC outlet, but you will need to charge it overnight for a full charge. Or the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Rebate helps towards the cost of installing Level 2 and direct current fast-charging stations in Utah. Level 2 charging options may take up to three hours, but a fast charger can take just 30 minutes

On average, it costs half as much to power an electric car as it does a traditional gasoline-powered car.  The cost of charging your electric car can vary depending on the location, whether you’re on a plan and the power level your vehicle can accept. Electrify America guests and pass members will be charged $0.48/kWh for DC Fast Charging. In per-minute locations, Level 2 charging cost $0.03 per minute.

Hit the Road!

While Utah EV ownership may be on the smaller side compared to other states, like California and Washington DC , the infrastructure to make owning and using an EV attractive is growing all the time.

The impressive charging infrastructure makes it easy to charge your car on the move, while federal tax credits and Utah electric car rebates make it even more appealing to go green in The Beehive State.

There’s never been a better time to consider picking up an EV. Enter tomorrow’s world today, and electrify your journeys on the open road. 

Want a little more know-how first? No problem. Learn how to drive an electric car and more with the help of Hertz electric vehicle guides, and you should be all set to go.