Electric vehicle incentives & rebates in Kentucky
1 utility with residential EV programs — plus EV fees, HOV rules, public charging and the cost to charge in Kentucky. Every program links to its official page and the U.S. Department of Energy AFDC entry.
Updated November 2026 · AFDC data retrieved November 6, 2026
Kentucky EV rebates, tax credits and perks
The U.S. Department of Energy lists no current state or local purchase incentive for individual EV drivers in Kentucky as of November 6, 2026. Check utility programs below.
Kentucky home and community charging incentives
No current state-level charger incentive for residents is listed for Kentucky; many utilities below offer charger rebates.
Kentucky utility EV programs
1 utility list residential EV programs; 1 offer an EV or time-of-use rate and 1 charger incentives
| Utility | Type | Residential EV programs | Business / fleet programs | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy | investor-owned utility (IOU) | ⚡ EV Time-of-Use (TOU) Rate 🔌 EV Level 2 Charging Station Purchase Rebate 🔌 EV Direct Current (DC) Fast Charging Station Purchase Rebate 🔌 Make-Ready or Pre-Wiring Rebate for EV Chargers | 🔌 EV Level 2 Charging Station Purchase Rebate 🔌 EV Direct Current (DC) Fast Charging Station Purchase Rebate 🔌 Make-Ready or Pre-Wiring Rebate for EV Chargers 🔌 EV Charger Deployment Pilot Programs 🚗 New EV Rebate | Utility EV page AFDC |
⚡ rates and fuel pricing · 🔌 charging equipment and installation · 🚗 vehicle rebates. AFDC lists program types; amounts, eligibility and waitlists are on the utility's own page — follow the link and confirm the program is open before you buy.
Kentucky EV registration fees, HOV and toll rules
EV fees
Electric Vehicle (EV) Fee
CurrentLaws and RegulationsIn addition to standard vehicle registration fees, EV and plug-in hybrid EV owners must pay an annual fee in 2025 of $126 and electric motorcycle owners must pay an annual fee of $63. These fees are adjusted annually based on the National Highway Construction Cost Index 2.0. (Reference Kentucky Revised Statutes 138.475)
Official program page: an annual fee in 2025 · AFDC entry · enacted April 14, 2022 · AFDC updated March 23, 2026
HOV and toll lanes
No current HOV-lane or toll exemption for EVs listed for Kentucky.
Kentucky laws that affect EV owners
1 law or regulation (right-to-charge, multifamily charging, parking, inspections and more)
Alternative Fuel and Conversion Definitions
CurrentLaws and RegulationsClean transportation fuels include propane, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), electricity, and other transportation fuels determined to be comparable with respect to emissions. Propane is defined as a hydrocarbon mixture produced as a by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining and condensed into liquid form for sale or use as a motor fuel. CNG is defined as pipeline-quality natural gas that is compressed and provided for sale or use as a motor vehicle fuel.
AFDC entry · enacted April 4, 2013
Kentucky programs for businesses, fleets and public agencies
3 programs
Diesel Emission Reduction Grants
CurrentState IncentivesThe Kentucky Division for Air Quality provides U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding for the replacement of school buses in Kentucky. Funding for up to 25% of eligible project costs is available for public and private schools that reduce diesel emissions by replacing a school bus that is model year 2009 or older with a bus that is a model year 2021 or newer diesel or alternative fuel bus. New buses must be equipped with an EPA-certified engine configuration that meets the latest EPA emissions standards. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis.
Official program page: Diesel Emissions Reduction Act · AFDC entry · enacted November 1, 2023 · AFDC updated August 5, 2024
EV Charger Grants
CurrentState IncentivesThe Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) will offer a 50% cost match for the purchase of Level 2 and direct current fast chargers. This program is funded by Kentucky's portion of the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust. Eligible applicants include Kentucky state and local government agencies. For more information, including program guidelines, grant amounts, and application periods, see EEC's Kentucky and the Volkswagen Settlement page.
Official program page: Volkswagen Mitigation Trust · AFDC entry · enacted May 1, 2024 · AFDC updated May 8, 2024
Kentucky’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Planning
CurrentState IncentivesThe U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) NEVI Formula Program required the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to submit an annually updated EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan (Plan) for fiscal years 2022 through 2026 to their FHWA Division Office, describing how the state intended to distribute NEVI funds and their physical and cybersecurity strategies, and including a Community Engagement Outcomes Report. The submitted plans must address updated NEVI Guidance. For more information about Kentucky's NEVI planning process, see Kentucky's Plan website.
Official program page: NEVI Guidance · AFDC entry · AFDC updated September 14, 2022
Public EV charging stations in Kentucky
414 stations · 732 Level 2 ports · 473 DC fast ports
| City | Stations | DC fast ports |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville | 96 | 68 |
| Lexington | 35 | 39 |
| Bowling Green | 26 | 24 |
| Frankfort | 13 | 9 |
| Elizabethtown | 12 | 24 |
| Newport | 11 | 0 |
| Paducah | 9 | 24 |
| Richmond | 9 | 18 |
| Hopkinsville | 8 | 1 |
| Shepherdsville | 8 | 4 |
| Owensboro | 6 | 3 |
| Hazard | 6 | 4 |
| Georgetown | 5 | 8 |
| Mayfield | 5 | 11 |
| Berea | 5 | 4 |
| Glasgow | 5 | 10 |
| Danville | 4 | 0 |
| Florence | 4 | 14 |
| Morehead | 4 | 4 |
| Bardstown | 4 | 1 |
| Network | Stations |
|---|---|
| ChargePoint | 157 |
| Non-networked | 75 |
| Tesla Destination | 39 |
| Blink | 27 |
| Tesla Supercharger | 21 |
| EVgo | 11 |
| EV Connect | 10 |
| Noodoe | 10 |
| Francis Charging Network | 8 |
| Electrify America | 6 |
| Vialynk | 6 |
| Ford Charge | 6 |
Connectors: J1772 at 283 stations, CCS at 97, NACS/Tesla at 93, CHAdeMO at 20.
Cost to charge an EV at home in Kentucky
About $5.25 per 100 miles at 14.20¢/kWh
Defaults: 12,000 miles a year and 30 MPG are examples — enter your own. Energy only (no maintenance, insurance or depreciation). Efficiency is the EPA combined kWh/100 mi rating (window sticker); real-world use varies with speed, weather and charging.
Electric cars for sale in Kentucky
134 EVs and 57 plug-in hybrids · 1.5% of Kentucky listings · median EV asking $36,879
Frequently asked questions
- Are there EV rebates or tax credits in Kentucky?
- The U.S. Department of Energy lists no current state-level purchase rebate or tax credit for EV drivers in Kentucky as of November 6, 2026. 1 electric utility in Kentucky offer EV programs such as charger rebates or EV rates.
- Is there still a federal EV tax credit in Kentucky?
- No. The federal new and used clean vehicle credits are not available for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025 (IRS), and the home charger credit (30C) ended for equipment placed in service after June 30, 2026.
- Does Kentucky charge an EV registration fee?
- Yes — Electric Vehicle (EV) Fee: In addition to standard vehicle registration fees, EV and plug-in hybrid EV owners must pay an annual fee in 2025 of $126 and electric motorcycle owners must pay an annual fee of $63. These fees are adjusted annually bas (AFDC, as of November 6, 2026).
- Can EVs use HOV lanes in Kentucky?
- AFDC lists no current HOV-lane exemption for EVs in Kentucky.
- How many public EV charging stations are in Kentucky?
- 414 open public charging stations with 732 Level 2 and 473 DC fast charging ports, per the U.S. Department of Energy station locator (November 6, 2026).
- How much does it cost to charge an EV at home in Kentucky?
- At Kentucky's average residential electricity price of 14.20¢ per kWh (EIA, Year-to-Date through August 2026), about $5.25 per 100 miles for an EV using 37 kWh/100 mi. Regular gasoline averaged $4.10/gal (Midwest (PADD 2), EIA week of November 2, 2026).
- How many electric cars are for sale in Kentucky on AutosXchange?
- 134 EVs and 57 plug-in hybrids from Kentucky dealers, 1.5% of listings in the state; median EV asking price $36,879.
AutosXchange market data is calculated from the asking prices of current dealer listings on AutosXchange, refreshed as dealers update their inventory. These are not sold or transaction prices and not appraisals. Listings with an asking price under $500 (placeholder prices) are excluded. Confirm price, fees and availability with the selling dealer.