Incentives for EV Charging Stations for Businesses in the DMV Area

These past few years, electric vehicles (EVs) have turned from a rare sight to a common element on the roads. The demand for charging stations has increased exponentially. And for businesses in the DMV region, installing EV chargers is one of the smartest ways to increase revenue. But the good news doesn’t end there. You can also receive incentives for EV charging stations to significantly reduce the costs of installation.

In this blog, we’ll explore exactly that. You’ll learn the key incentives available nationwide and in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia as of April 10th, 2025, that can help your business join the EV revolution (and who knows? You might even become the face of an eco-conscious future in your community).

Nationwide Incentives for Charging Stations

The United States is on a mission to embrace green energy, and you can join the ranks by tapping into federal incentives that make installing EV chargers a whole lot easier and affordable. Currently, the two major nationwide incentives are the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program and the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit.

National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), allocates $5 billion to U.S. states (including D.C and Puerto Rico), from FY 2022 through 2026 to establish an interconnected national network of fast chargers, particularly along interstate highways and designated Alternative Fuel Corridors.

Alright, so how does it work? It’s simple. The NEVI program provides each state’s Department of Transportation with an annual budget. These departments must then develop a plan for using the allocated funds. For eligible projects, federal funding can cover up to 80% of the costs, with the remaining 20% being the responsibility of private or state organizations.

While, yes, you as a business can’t directly apply to the federal government for NEVI funding, you can still partner with state programs that use the NEVI budget to install your EV chargers, considering your commercial building is near designated corridors. We recommend checking your state’s Department of Transportation to review their current plans.

• District of Columbia (D.C.)
• Maryland
• Virginia

Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit

Believe it or not, Uncle Sam also offers tax incentives for installing EV charging stations. The Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit (overseen by the IRS) provides a tax credit of 30% of the cost, up to $100,000 per installation, for any qualified EV charging equipment installed through December 31st, 2032.

However, there are a few things you must consider. The tax credit has one goal: to encourage EV infrastructure in lower-income communities. Therefore, to qualify for the full credit, your charging station must be installed in locations with poverty rates of at least 20% or median family income below 80% of the state median. If your business meets the criteria, great! You can claim the credit. If not, unfortunately, you’ll have to pass on this benefit.

Too long, didn’t read? The federal tax credit is essentially free money back at tax time for investing in a charger. If your Maryland, Virginia, or D.C. business is in an eligible area, you could recoup 30% of your EV charger project costs (capped at $100k) by claiming this credit. This is on top of any state or local incentives you stack on.

Community Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Grant Program

Maryland’s Community EVSE Grant Program is a new initiative for FY 2025 that aims to boost EV charging access in underserved communities. Businesses eligible for the state grant must meet the following criteria: a) be a public site, for example, a hospital, community center, or multifamily apartment; and b) be located in overburdened neighborhoods. These are the biggest keys to receiving the money for EV charging station installation.

The program is generous. It will cover 75% of the project costs up to $1,000,000 as a base incentive. But it gets even better. If your project meets additional equity criteria or provides 24/7 public access, you can get funding for up to 90% (with the bonuses applied). Keep in mind that the grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so you should apply as soon as possible before the money runs out.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Workplace Charging Grant

The MDE is on a roll. They’re also offering an Electric Corridors Grant Program (ECGP) that covers up to 80% of installing DC fast charging (DCFC) stations along alternative fuel corridors​. Each applicant can receive as much as $150,000 per DC fast charger station and up to $600,000 total.

If you own a rest stop, convenience store, or travel plaza, this program is excellent for you. And just like the workplace grants, this program is funded by the Volkswagen settlement money, but only includes non-profits and private businesses as eligible applicants. You still need to submit an application by April 18th, 2025, and consider that the grant amount varies by kW per port.

Commercial Customer Charger Rebate

Utility companies in Maryland are not staying behind in efforts to achieve a more sustainable future. The Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) offers rebates for commercial customers, (especially multifamily housing properties) that install charging stations through its EVsmart program.

You can get a 50% rebate on the cost of installing qualified Level 2 or DC fast charging stations. Therefore, you might receive up to $5k for each Level 2 charging port and up to $15,000 for a DC fast charger. The maximum rebate is $25k per site. To get the rebate, you need to install the chargers first and then apply for reimbursement. This is a valuable incentive to take advantage of.

Virginia Incentives

On the other hand, the EV charging stations incentives in Virginia are a blend of utility programs, local government grants, and policy-driven perks. Here are the opportunities residents in VA can benefit from:

Dominion Energy Level 2 Charging Program

The major electric utility in Virginia, Dominion Energy, launched a Level 2 Charging Program to support businesses and multi-unit dwellings in installing EV charging infrastructure. The program isn’t a traditional rebate, though. In summary, commercial customers in VA can get 50% of the construction and installation costs paid upfront by Dominion for qualifying Level 2 charger projects​. And what about the remaining 50%? You can pay it over time on their electric bill, spread across 10 years.

When you think about it, this program is incredible because it allows businesses to pay the costs through an on-bill financing model with presumably low or no interest. The best part is, that participants have the option to let Dominion handle the installation and maintenance, or install their own stations. Honestly, it’s the perfect combination of an incentive and a payment plan.

EV Charging Infrastructure Grant in Charlottesville

Local governments in Virginia are also creating their own incentives. The city of Charlottesville is an amazing example. Currently, they’re promoting an EV Charging Infrastructure Grant (often dubbed a mini-grant program), which is basically a cost-sharing arrangement where the city will cover part of the equipment and installation cost for private property owners who install publicly accessible chargers

The grant will reimburse one-third (33%) of the cost per charger. Want this percentage in dollar amount? The maximum is $4k per Level 2 charger and $110k per DC fast charger. A single applicant can request up to 5 grants (for 5 chargers), with a limit of 2 grants per property. However, know that the chargers must be available for general public use and located near commercial or tourist activity centers. The application is rolling, meaning you can apply anytime while funds are available.

EV Charging Equipment Permit Fee Exemption in Fairfax County

Not all incentives come as direct dollars. Some can be cost waivers. That’s exactly what Fairfax County, in Northern Virginia, is implementing. As you know, permits and inspections are a requirement for adding electrical equipment, but Fairfax County has an EV Charging equipment fee exemption in place until October 31st, 2025.

It may not seem as enticing as other incentives, but as a business owner, you can save a few hundred dollars on permit costs when installing EV charging stations, removing another small hurdle in the process. We highlight the fact you still need to apply for the permit and follow the proper installation procedures (they haven’t removed the safety requirements, just the fee), but you can pair this incentive with others available in the area for a power-up in benefits.

District of Columbia Incentives

Finally, let’s talk about the nation’s capital: Washington, D.C. Unlike Maryland and Virginia, businesses in the District of Columbia, as of April 10th, 2025, currently rely only on federal tax credits and funding programs (the NEVI program budget that D.C. receives and the alternative fuel infrastructure tax credit).

Pepco, the electricity utility serving Washington D.C., offers some incentives but those are mostly for residential customers or are part of Maryland programs. As a business owner, we highly suggest you leverage the federal incentives since the city itself isn’t currently providing additional cash grants. Keep a close eye on the news though, there’s a possibility that the EV charging stations incentives in the District of Columbia will rise with the local demand.