Guide to Electric Vehicles in Vermont

Thinking about driving an electric vehicle (EV) in Vermont? This guide will fill you in on everything you need to know, whether you’re considering an EV purchase or hiring an electric car for a test drive, road trip or vacation. We’ve dived into EV charging, costs, laws and more.

Find out about electric car charging stations in Vermont, electric car law and even electric car government rebates in Vermont. Make an informed choice when you look at electric vehicle ownership in the Green Mountain State – why not try renting an EV with Hertz to see if electric vehicles are for you?

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

How many EVs are there in Vermont?

As of July 31 2023, there were almost 9,000 electric vehicles registered in the state of Vermont. Of these, 54% are all-electric battery electric vehicles, or BEVs. Vermont makes it easy to own or rent an electric car – in fact, the state ranks #1 in the U.S. for EV charging accessibility. At the time of writing, there is one public charger for every 5-6 cars in the state.

In 2022 alone, the number of EV cars registered in Vermont increased by 51%. With such a sound infrastructure and continuing investment in the promotion of EVs by the government of Vermont, this is one the best states in which to experience first time EV ownership or rental. Vermont is also one of the eight U.S. states that signed up to the ZEV program in 2013. The ZEV, or Zero Emissions Vehicles plan, aims to put over 3.3 million vehicles with zero emissions on the road by 2025.

Are there incentives for electric cars in Vermont?

As one of the states leading the way in terms of electric car infrastructure, there are multiple electric car incentives in Vermont. Electric car government rebates in Vermont include state incentives of between $1,500 and $4,000 for purchasing or leasing an electric vehicle. The exact value of the rebate depends on the individual’s circumstances, looking at things like type of vehicle, marital status and household income.

EV drivers may also be able to access electric vehicle incentives in Vermont of up to $5,000 towards a vehicle swap. This would involve the replacement of eligible vehicles with qualifying pre-owned vehicles that are more economical, such as EVs. This grant applies to people classed as being on a low-to-medium income.

Income-restricted drivers can also access electric car grants in Vermont of up to $3,000 when replacing a gas-powered vehicle that is ten years old or more for an electric vehicle. This limited offer, called Replace Your Ride, will be available to Vermont residents on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted.

Home charging station electric vehicle grants in Vermont are also available. These are mainly funded by the Burlington Electric Department (BED) and can apply to both single and multiple occupancy dwellings.

The Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (VPPSA) offers rebates of between $500 and $1,000 on the purchase of new hybrid and all-electric vehicles in the state.

While there is little free EV charging in Vermont, most electric car users will find the cost of recharging at public charging stations to be more affordable than the cost of filling up a gas tank.

There are many other electric car government incentives in Vermont, as well as offers from utility companies that make owning or renting an EV in the state a financially viable option, even for low to middle income households.

EV registration, licensing, and fees in Vermont

The $2.00 Clean Air Fund Fee in Vermont means that it is typically $2.00 per year cheaper for registration and fees for an electric vehicle than it is for a gas-powered one. For example, it will cost $76.00 for one year’s registration for a gas or diesel car, but only $74.00 for a year’s registration for an electric vehicle. Vermont is one of the handful of states that does not impose any additional tax on licensing and registering electric vehicles.

Vermont EV charging network

While the majority of current EV users in Vermont choose home charging stations, the infrastructure for visitors and those who need to top up while on the road is impressive. As of August 2023, there were 358 public charging stations in Vermont, many of which have fast chargers. Vermont has the highest number of public charging stations in the United States at present, so you will never need to worry about running out of power. Plans are already underway to increase this already impressive network of charging stations in Vermont.

Charging at home is usually the cheapest option, with average costs being in the region of $0.25 per kWh for a full charge. However, public charging in Vermont is affordable. Fast chargers will cost around $0.35 per minute, while the slower Level 2 chargers cost around $1.00 per hour. There is also a vast network of exclusive Tesla charging stations across Vermont.

EV ownership, rental and driving in Vermont is easier than in any other state in the U.S. With multiple incentives for buyers and owners, as well as affordable and easily accessible charging across the state, you can forget range anxiety when you choose to drive an electric vehicle in Vermont.

To learn more about the world of electric vehicles, read more on our EV blog.