Steel Fox Blog
EV Charger Rebates and Tax Credits in Pennsylvania
April 10, 2026
The good news: there's real money available to offset the cost of EV charger installation in Pennsylvania. The federal tax credit alone can put $150–$360 back in your pocket. Here's what's available and how to access it.
Federal Tax Credit — IRS Form 8911
The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit covers 30% of your EV charger installation cost, up to $1,000 for residential installs. It expires June 30, 2026 — your charger must be installed and placed in service by that date to qualify. You claim it on your federal tax return using IRS Form 8911. This applies to the installation labor and materials — not the charger itself if you purchased it separately.
If your installation costs $800, you get $240 back. If it costs $1,200, you get $360 back. It's a nonrefundable credit, meaning it reduces what you owe — so you need to owe at least that amount in federal taxes to benefit fully. Talk to your tax preparer about your specific situation.
⚠ Important: The credit is location-restricted
Your home must be in an eligible census tract — either a low-income community OR a non-urban (rural) area, as defined by the IRS. Roughly two-thirds of U.S. addresses qualify, but many urban and suburban areas do not.
Around Centre County, many rural areas qualify (Bellefonte, Philipsburg, Port Matilda, and surrounding townships often fall in eligible tracts). Parts of State College borough may not. Before counting on the credit, check your specific address using the U.S. Department of Energy 30C Eligibility Locator.
Utility Rebates — Check Your Provider
Several Pennsylvania utilities offer rebates for residential EV charger installation. Availability and amounts change — always check your utility's current program before you install.
PPL Electric Utilities — has offered EV charger rebates for residential customers. Check pplelectric.com for current programs.
Penelec / FirstEnergy — serves parts of Centre County. Check their website for current rebate availability.
Central PA utility customers — if you're served by a rural electric cooperative, check their website directly — some co-ops have their own EV programs.
Pennsylvania State Programs
Pennsylvania's Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) program has historically provided funding for EV charging infrastructure, primarily for businesses and fleets. For residential homeowners, the federal tax credit and utility rebates are the primary options right now.
What We Recommend
Before scheduling your install, check your utility's website for current rebate programs. Some rebates require pre-approval before installation — you can't apply retroactively. We'll walk you through what documentation you'll need from us (itemized invoice, charger specs, etc.) to support any rebate application.
The federal tax credit requires no pre-approval — just save your invoice and file Form 8911 with your tax return for the year the installation was completed.
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Steel Fox EV & Electric serves State College, Philipsburg, Clearfield, Boalsburg, Bellefonte, Port Matilda, and surrounding Central PA communities. Text or call 814-554-0350 or request a free estimate online.
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