Federal credit update
The federal Section 30C home-charger credit expired June 30, 2026 — but MA utility rebates are still active
The residential Section 30C credit (30% of cost, up to $1,000 per port for a home charger) expired June 30, 2026 and is no longer available — the OBBBA pulled its termination date forward from 2032. It no longer factors into a homeowner's net cost. The real savings in Massachusetts come from the utility programs, which remain open.
TL;DR: MA EV Charger Incentive Stack
Residential Rebates by Utility
Each Massachusetts investor-owned utility operates its own EV charger rebate program. The amounts, eligibility requirements, and qualifying charger specifications differ by utility. Here is a detailed breakdown for each:
Eversource
Residential
Standard rebate: Up to $700
Up to $700 toward the wiring and panel-upgrade work needed to add a Level 2 charger (standard-rate customers). Eversource pays the wiring/panel cost up to the cap, or the actual cost if it is less.
Environmental Justice / Income-Eligible
Up to $1,700 total — Discount-rate (income-eligible) customers can receive up to $1,700 total — covering both wiring/panel work and the charger itself
Eligibility: Must be Eversource residential electric customer in Massachusetts
Charger requirements: Wi-Fi-enabled Level 2 smart charger rated 80A or less, listed on the Eversource Qualified Product List. As of March 2, 2026, every wiring/charger rebate recipient must enroll in Eversource Managed Charging (off-peak = anytime outside 1–9 p.m.).
Commercial / Multi-Family
Infrastructure coverage: Up to 100% of infrastructure
Make-ready infrastructure program covers wiring, panel upgrades, and installation labor for qualified commercial properties
Minimum: Minimum 2 L2 ports
National Grid
Residential
Standard rebate: Up to $700
Up to $700 toward wiring and panel-upgrade work for a single-family home (or the actual cost if less). Larger rebates are available for 2–4 unit buildings.
Environmental Justice / Income-Eligible
Higher caps for 2–4 units — 2–4 unit buildings qualify for additional rebate amounts above the single-family cap — contact National Grid for the per-unit schedule
Eligibility: Must be National Grid residential electric customer in Massachusetts
Charger requirements: Requires enrollment in the National Grid Off-Peak Charging Rewards program: $0.05/kWh off-peak (Jun 1–Sep 30) and $0.03/kWh off-peak (Oct 1–May 31), off-peak window 9 p.m.–1 p.m. the next day. Typical off-peak rewards run about $100/year.
Commercial / Multi-Family
Infrastructure coverage: Up to 100% of infrastructure
EV infrastructure program covers electrical upgrades, wiring, conduit, and installation for commercial and multi-family properties
Minimum: Minimum 2 L2 ports
Cape Light Compact
Residential
Standard rebate: Up to $100
$100 rebate on Level 2 EV charger purchase
Environmental Justice / Income-Eligible
Up to $350 — Income-eligible customers receive enhanced rebates up to $350
Eligibility: Must be Cape Light Compact customer on Cape Cod or Martha’s Vineyard
Charger requirements: UL listed Level 2 charger
Commercial / Multi-Family
Infrastructure coverage: Contact for details
Commercial programs available — contact Cape Light Compact for current offerings
Minimum: Varies
Federal 30C Tax Credit: Expired June 30, 2026
Residential 30C: expired June 30, 2026
The residential Section 30C Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit for home chargers (30% of cost, up to $1,000 per port) expired June 30, 2026 and is no longer available. The OBBBA pulled its termination date forward from 2032, and there is no legislation to extend it. It no longer reduces a homeowner's net cost — the Massachusetts utility wiring rebates, off-peak EV rates, and income-eligible programs above are where home charger savings come from now.
The Section 30C credit provided a 30% tax credit on the total cost of purchasing and installing an EV charger, including equipment and labor. The residential version, capped at $1,000 per port, expired June 30, 2026 and is no longer available for home chargers.
The commercial 30C credit — capped at $100,000 per charging port for business installations — expired the same date, June 30, 2026. Businesses that placed chargers in service on or before that date can still claim the credit on IRS Form 8911 for that tax year; installations after the deadline receive no federal 30C credit. Utility make-ready programs and off-peak rates are now the primary incentives for new commercial charging.
Residential 30C (expired)
- Status: Expired June 30, 2026 — no longer available for home chargers
- Former terms: 30% of cost, up to $1,000 per port
- Why: OBBBA moved the termination date forward from 2032
- What to use instead: Utility wiring rebates (up to $700 standard, up to $1,700 Eversource discount rate)
- Also active: Off-peak EV rates, Mass Save, income-eligible programs
- Get a check: Contact NuWatt to confirm which utility rebates you qualify for
Commercial 30C (expired)
- Status: Expired June 30, 2026 — same date as residential
- Former terms: 30% of cost (6% base + prevailing wage bonus), up to $100,000 per charging port
- Placed in service by June 30, 2026: Can still be claimed on IRS Form 8911
- MACRS: 5-year depreciation with bonus depreciation still applies to charger assets
- What to use instead: Utility make-ready programs and commercial off-peak rates
Census tract requirement (commercial 30C):The commercial 30C credit required the charger to be installed at a property within an eligible 2020-census tract — either a low-income community or a non-urban (rural) area. If your business placed chargers in service on or before June 30, 2026 and is claiming the credit on Form 8911, eligibility is tied to the property's census tract GEOID, not the town or ZIP — verify the exact address at the IRS Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit mapping tool (linked from the IRS 30C page) before filing. For deadlines on every other MA clean-energy incentive, see our MA Clean Energy Incentive Deadline Tracker.
Application Deadlines You Need to Know
2025 Installations
OpenDeadline: March 31, 2026
Chargers installed in calendar year 2025 must submit rebate application by March 31, 2026
2026 Installations
UpcomingDeadline: March 31, 2027
Chargers installed in calendar year 2026 must submit rebate application by March 31, 2027
Federal 30C Credit (home chargers)
ExpiredDeadline: Expired June 30, 2026
The federal Section 30C residential home-charger credit (30% of cost, up to $1,000 per port) expired June 30, 2026 and is no longer available. Massachusetts utility wiring rebates, off-peak EV rates, and income-eligible programs remain active — see the rebate sections above.
Environmental Justice & Income-Eligible Programs
Massachusetts has some of the strongest Environmental Justice (EJ) protections in the nation, and this extends to EV charger incentives. If you live in a designated EJ community or participate in a utility discount rate program, you may be eligible for dramatically enhanced rebates that can cover up to 100% of the cost of a Level 2 home charger installation.
Enhanced Income-Eligible / Discount-Rate Rebates
Eversource discount rate
Up to $1,700
covers wiring/panel + the charger itself
National Grid 2–4 units
Above $700
higher caps than single-family; ask for the schedule
Cape Light income-eligible
Up to $350
enhanced charger rebate
The federal Section 30C home-charger credit that once stacked on top of these utility rebates expired June 30, 2026 and is no longer available. For homeowners, these utility rebates — combined with off-peak EV rates and Mass Save programs — are now the primary way to cut the cost of a Level 2 charger.
Who qualifies:You may be eligible if you participate in your utility's discount rate program (R-2 for Eversource, Discount Rate for National Grid), receive fuel assistance (LIHEAP), live in a designated Environmental Justice community, or meet income thresholds (generally at or below 60% of state median income for enhanced tiers, or 80% for standard income-eligible programs). Contact your utility or NuWatt for a quick eligibility check.
Commercial EV Charging Programs
Commercial EV charging incentives in Massachusetts are exceptionally generous. Both Eversource and National Grid operate make-ready infrastructure programs that can cover up to 100% of the electrical infrastructure costs — including wiring, panel upgrades, conduit, and installation labor — for qualified commercial properties installing Level 2 charging stations.
Commercial Incentive Stack
Utility Make-Ready Program: Up to 100% of infrastructure
Covers electrical upgrades, wiring, conduit, installation. Minimum 2 Level 2 ports.
Federal 30C Credit: Up to $100,000 per port
30% of remaining equipment and installation costs. Prevailing wage required for full rate.
MACRS Depreciation: 5-year accelerated schedule
Depreciate 85% of the net cost over 5 years. 80% bonus depreciation in year 1 (2026).
For businesses considering solar + EV charging, the combination is particularly compelling. Solar-powered EV charging stations qualify for both solar commercial incentives (ITC + MACRS) and EV charger incentives (30C + utility make-ready), creating one of the highest total incentive stacks available for any commercial energy investment.
Solar + EV Charger: How to Size Your System
If you have or plan to get an EV, sizing your solar system to cover your charging needs makes the economics even stronger. Here is how much additional solar capacity you need based on your driving profile:
| Scenario | Added kWh/yr | Added Solar (kW) | Annual Savings | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV Only (1 vehicle, 12,000 mi/yr) | 3,600 kWh/yr | 3 kW | $1,020-$1,152 | Typical commuter driving pattern |
| EV + L2 Charger (1 vehicle, 15,000 mi/yr) | 4,500 kWh/yr | 3.75 kW | $1,276-$1,440 | Above-average mileage |
| 2 EVs (24,000 mi/yr total) | 7,200 kWh/yr | 6 kW | $2,042-$2,304 | Two-car household |
| 2 EVs + Heat Pump | 12,000-15,000 kWh/yr | 10-12.5 kW | $3,403-$4,800 | Full electrification household |
Savings ranges reflect the spread between the Eversource and National Grid all-in residential rates; the calculator above pulls each utility's current rate from our live rate data. With the net metering cap-exempt expansion to 25 kW AC, most households can install a system large enough to cover home baseload + heat pump + EV charging under one cap-exempt system.
EV Charging Cost Calculator
Use the calculator below to estimate your monthly and annual home EV charging costs based on your driving habits and utility rate. See how much you save compared to a gas car.
EV Charging Cost Calculator
Estimate your home charging costs and savings vs. gas
$117
Monthly Charging Cost
$1,400
Annual Charging Cost
$202
Annual Savings vs. Gas
9.9 hrs
Weekly Charge Time
Based on 13000 miles/year. EV efficiency: 0.3 kWh/mile (average across popular EVs). Annual kWh for charging: 3,900 kWh.
Smart Charging & Time-of-Use Rates: What to Expect
Massachusetts does not currently offer residential EV-specific time-of-use (TOU) rates. This is expected to change in 2027-2028 as the statewide Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) rollout progresses. Both Eversource and National Grid have filed AMI deployment plans with the DPU, and TOU rates that incentivize off-peak charging (typically 9 PM - 9 AM) are anticipated after smart meters are installed across their territories.
In the meantime, most Wi-Fi-enabled Level 2 chargers allow you to schedule charging sessionsfor overnight hours when grid demand is lowest. While you will not pay a lower rate today, scheduled charging reduces strain on the grid and positions you to take advantage of TOU rates as soon as they become available.
If you have solar panels, the opposite strategy may be optimal: charge during daylight hourswhen your panels are producing. This maximizes self-consumption of solar energy and reduces the amount of energy you export to the grid — especially valuable if net metering credit values decrease under DPU 25-200.
Without Solar
Schedule charging for overnight (11 PM - 6 AM) to reduce grid demand. When TOU rates launch, you will save $0.05-$0.10/kWh during off-peak hours.
With Solar
Charge during peak solar production (10 AM - 3 PM) to maximize self-consumption. Your effective charging cost drops to $0/kWh for solar-produced energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get the federal EV charger credit for my home?
No. The residential Section 30C Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit for home chargers (30% of cost, up to $1,000 per charging port) expired June 30, 2026 and is no longer available — the OBBBA moved this termination date forward from 2032. Homeowners should instead focus on the incentives that are still active in Massachusetts: utility wiring/panel rebates (up to $700 standard, up to $1,700 on the Eversource discount rate for income-eligible customers), off-peak EV charging rewards, Mass Save programs, and Cape Light Compact rebates. (The separate commercial Section 30C credit of up to $100,000 per port for business installations is unaffected by the residential expiration.)
Which incentives should MA homeowners focus on now that the 30C home-charger credit has expired?
The residential Section 30C credit for home chargers expired June 30, 2026, so it no longer factors into a homeowner’s cost. The good news is that the biggest Massachusetts EV-charger savings come from the utility programs, which are still active. Eversource pays up to $700 toward wiring/panel work for standard-rate customers and up to $1,700 total (covering both the wiring/panel work and the charger itself) for discount-rate, income-eligible customers. National Grid pays up to $700 for a single-family home with higher caps for 2–4 unit buildings and layers on off-peak charging rewards, and Cape Light Compact offers up to $350 for income-eligible customers. Off-peak EV rates and Mass Save whole-home programs can add further savings. NuWatt can run a quick eligibility check to confirm which utility tier and programs you qualify for.
National Grid vs Eversource EV rebate — what is the difference?
Both Massachusetts investor-owned utilities pay toward the wiring and electrical-panel work needed to add a Level 2 charger, but the structure differs. Eversource pays up to $700 toward wiring/panel work for standard-rate customers, and up to $1,700 total (covering both the wiring/panel work and the charger itself) for discount-rate, income-eligible customers. As of March 2, 2026, every Eversource wiring/charger rebate recipient must enroll in Managed Charging, where off-peak is defined as anytime outside 1–9 p.m., using a Wi-Fi Level 2 smart charger rated 80A or less on the Eversource Qualified Product List. National Grid pays up to $700 toward wiring/panel work for a single-family home (or the actual cost if less), with higher caps for 2–4 unit buildings, and requires enrollment in its Off-Peak Charging Rewards program: $0.05/kWh off-peak from June 1–September 30 and $0.03/kWh off-peak from October 1–May 31, with the off-peak window running 9 p.m.–1 p.m. the next day (typically about $100/year in rewards). In short: Eversource offers a higher ceiling for income-eligible customers and a year-round managed-charging mandate, while National Grid layers a per-kWh off-peak reward on top of its wiring rebate.
Has the federal 30C home-charger credit expired?
Yes. The residential Section 30C credit for home EV chargers (30% of cost, up to $1,000 per port) expired June 30, 2026 and is no longer available — the OBBBA moved the termination date forward from 2032. Homeowners installing a charger today should plan around the incentives that remain active: Massachusetts utility wiring/panel rebates (up to $700 standard, up to $1,700 on the Eversource discount rate), off-peak EV charging rewards, Mass Save programs, and census-tract / income-eligible programs. Note that the separate commercial Section 30C credit (up to $100,000 per port for business installations) is a different provision and is not affected by the residential expiration.
What are the commercial EV charger incentives in Massachusetts?
Commercial incentives are substantial. Both Eversource and National Grid offer make-ready infrastructure programs that can cover up to 100% of the electrical infrastructure costs (wiring, panel upgrades, conduit, installation labor) for commercial Level 2 charging stations. The federal 30C credit provides up to $100,000 per charging port for commercial installations. Additionally, MACRS depreciation allows businesses to depreciate EV charging equipment over 5 years with bonus depreciation. Multi-family property owners can also access utility programs for tenant charging installations.
What about smart charging and time-of-use rates?
Massachusetts utilities do not currently offer residential EV-specific time-of-use (TOU) rates. This is expected to change in 2027-2028 as the statewide Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) rollout progresses. Eversource has filed AMI deployment plans, and TOU rates that incentivize off-peak EV charging are anticipated after smart meters are installed. In the meantime, most Wi-Fi-enabled chargers allow you to schedule charging during overnight hours when grid demand is lowest. If you have solar panels, charging during daytime hours maximizes self-consumption of solar energy.
How do I size my solar system to include EV charging?
A typical EV driven 12,000 miles per year consumes approximately 3,600 kWh of electricity. At Massachusetts production rates (~1,200 kWh/kW), you need approximately 3 additional kW of solar capacity to offset EV charging. For a two-EV household, add 6 kW. With the net metering cap-exempt expansion to 25 kW AC, most homeowners can now install a system large enough to cover their home baseload, heat pump, and EV charging all under one cap-exempt system.
Do income-eligible customers get better EV charger incentives?
Yes. Discount-rate and income-eligible customers receive significantly enhanced utility incentives. On the Eversource discount rate, eligible customers can receive up to $1,700 total — covering both the wiring/panel work and the charger itself — versus up to $700 toward wiring/panel work for standard-rate customers. National Grid pays up to $700 toward wiring/panel work for a single-family home, with higher caps for 2–4 unit buildings. Cape Light Compact offers up to $350 for income-eligible customers. The federal Section 30C home-charger credit that once stacked on top expired June 30, 2026 and is no longer available, but on the Eversource discount rate the up-to-$1,700 utility rebate alone can bring a Level 2 charger installation close to free for many income-eligible customers. Eligibility is based on household income, participation in a utility discount rate program (such as the Eversource R-2 rate or the National Grid Discount Rate), or fuel-assistance enrollment. Check with your utility to confirm which tier you qualify for.
Cut the Cost of Your Home EV Charger with MA Utility Rebates
The federal Section 30C home-charger credit expired June 30, 2026, but the Massachusetts utility rebates are still active — up to $1,700 on the Eversource discount rate toward wiring and the charger itself, plus off-peak EV rates. Add solar to charge for next to nothing.