Florida EV Incentives & Rebates: Unlocking The Savings

Florida has the second-highest rate of EV adoption (95,560) in the country. 6.58% of EVs in the country are located in Florida. The number of electric vehicles in Florida increased from almost 50,000 to 95,560 between 2021 and 2022.

At A Glance:

1️⃣ Florida’s large take up of electric vehicles is more surprising as it offers no direct incentive or rebate for residents who purchase or lease an electric vehicle.

2️⃣ Several utilities offer rebates and cash benefits for customers who install EV charging equipment; however, these are not huge.

3️⃣ In Florida’s favor is the widescale installation of charging infrastructure, reducing customers’ range anxiety. Florida Power & Light is working through a project to add 1,000 charge ports at 200 locations across the state.

4️⃣ Many of the level 2 chargers will offer a free service.

Overview Of Florida’s Incentives for Owning an Electric Vehicle

Despite Florida not offering residential customers a rebate for purchasing an EV, several incentives exist for EV owners and solar system adopters.

The Federal Government

The Federal government offers various rebates to residential customers for conversion to renewable energy systems.

💡 Related Article: How The EV Tax Credit Works

Federal EV Subsidy Scheme

The Fed provides a $7,500 tax rebate on new electric vehicle purchases ($4,000) on used EVs to taxpayers. The qualification criteria are as follows:

1. The battery capacity must be at least 7 kWh.
2. The vehicle must weigh less than 14,000 pounds.
3. A qualifying company must manufacture the vehicle (see list).
4. The final assembly is done in North America.
5. To qualify for the highest benefit level, the vehicle must be new.
6. The car must cost less than $80,000 (this includes vans, SUVs, and pickups) and $55,000 for other vehicles.
7. The joint household income must be less than $300,000 ($150,000 for single filers).
8. The earning limits on used EVs are $150,000 ($75,000 for single filers).

This scheme is revised periodically. Currently, there is no end date published.

Federal Charger Station Subsidy

The Federal government has reinstated the federal tax credit for charger installation. Taxpayers may qualify for a rebate of 30% of the cost of the installation of level 2 charging stations (up to $1,000),

This benefit for this tax credit expires on 12/31/2032. Read our article below for a deep dive into the scheme.

📖 Read Next: The Federal EV Charger Tax Credit

Florida EV Incentives

The state of Florida does not offer residential customers significant financial incentives. However, each utility has its own program to encourage the installation of a level 2 charger. Some utilities also provide a rebate to customers who purchase an electric vehicle.

Local governments are permitted to assist (with funding) property owners who install EV chargers on their property.

The programs offered by each utility are listed below.

Utility	Rebate or Incentive
Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA)	Offers customers with level 2 chargers a $7.00 monthly rebate if they charge in off-peak hours. JEA also rebates $300 if the customer’s home needs an electrical upgrade to install a charging system.
Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA)	Offers customers a $100 rebate on buying an EV. The utility also rebates customers $100.00 on buying a level 2 charger.
Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC)	Offers customers a $200 rebate when they buy or lease a new or used EV. Qualifying OUC clients will receive a $50 gift card if they test drive an EV from a participating OUC dealership. The OUC will also pay the dealership between $25 and $75 for selling 1 – 3 (or more) EVs monthly.
Duke Energy	Pays customers $10 per month to charge EVs in Off-peak periods

One of the benefits of owning an electric vehicle in Florida is that an HOV decal from the Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle department may be purchased for $5 for one year or $10 for two years.

This allows EV drivers to get free lane access to the HOV lanes.

The Federal Solar Installation Benefit

In addition to the 30% ($1,000 max) rebate to install an EV charger, the government will also rebate 30% of the cost of a complete solar system purchase and installation. 

It could power a level 2 EV charging station if sized correctly, enabling the EV owner to achieve energy independence.

The Federal Solar benefit will be discontinued in 2035.

Florida Solar Installation Benefit

The state offers a low-rate, low-deposit financing scheme for Florida residents installing solar systems on their properties.

Details of the scheme and application processes can be obtained here.

How To Take Advantage Of Florida’s EV Incentives

The Federal incentives are declared in that year’s IRS tax form, and file Form 8936 (available at this link), and the credit will be passed.

The individual schemes offered by the utilities can be obtained from the relevant websites (links included in the table above).

The application process for the PACE financing scheme can be obtained from the following link.

The Benefits Of Florida’s EV Incentives 

The take-up of electric vehicles in Florida is the second highest in the country. This is surprising, considering that the state provides very little in the way of financial benefits.

EV adoption creates new industries and employment opportunities and, by doing so, increases the potential for increased tax revenue.

Florida exempts all property taxes related to the increase in property value created by the solar installation.

Solar systems purchased in Florida are exempt from sales tax.

FAQs

Do EVs Pay Tolls In Florida? 

Apart from the I-95 express lanes in Southeast Florida, where electric vehicles pay a discounted rate, there are no discounts offered to EV drivers.

EV drivers must register for 95 Express Toll-Exemption and receive a decal to qualify for the reduced rate.

Can Electric Vehicles Use HOV Lanes In Florida? 

EV drivers may use the HOV lanes if the correct decal is displayed. These decals cost $5 for one year of use and $10 for two years.

Key Takeaways

Florida has the second-highest rate of EV registration in the country.

While Florida does not offer substantial benefits for owners to convert from gas to electric vehicles, three factors have motivated the switch.

1️⃣ The generous benefits offered by the Federal government.

2️⃣ Extensive EV charging infrastructure is being installed in the state.

3️⃣ The number of daily solar hours makes switching to solar charging a viable option.