FAQ
General Questions
Who do I contact if I have questions about the Rebate Program?
Please contact the PowerUpRI Program Administrator at (401) 215-6057 or Energy.powerupri@energy.ri.gov
How much funding is available?
The PowerUpRI rebate program launched with an initial $750,000 of funding. This funding is split into standard and Income-qualified funding reserves, with 40% of funding going towards income-qualified applications. You can also review the current funds available at PowerUpRI Statistics | drive
Who is eligible to apply for the PowerUpRI rebate program?
Rhode Island residents who own or rent a single-family or multifamily dwelling* are eligible to apply for the rebate program. Renters must provide a signed letter of approval from the landlord permitting the installation of the EV charger.
Rhode Island landlords are also eligible for the PowerUpRI rebate program for eligible EV chargers installed on single or multifamily dwelling* rental properties.
*“Dwelling” means a residential structure or mobile home that contains one to four (4) family housing units, or individual units of condominiums or cooperatives.
Properties that contain more than four (4) family housing units, or individual units of condominiums or cooperatives will be considered commercial-scale properties and will not be eligible for the PowerUpRI rebate program.
Can renters apply for the rebate, or is it only available to homeowners?
Renters are allowed to apply for the PowerUpRI rebate; however, they must provide a signed letter of approval from their landlord permitting the installation of the EV charger.
Is the rebate available to businesses or just individuals?
Businesses, non-profits, and public sector entities are not eligible for the PowerUpRI rebate program.
Is the PowerUpRI Rebate Program income restricted?
The Program is not income restricted. Rhode Island residents of all income levels are eligible to apply. However, we offer enhanced rebates for income-qualified applicants.
How do residents qualify for the additional Income-Qualified rebate?
There are two ways for residents to qualify for the Income-Qualified rebate:
Option 1: You must participate in a state or federal income-qualified program (please refer to page 7 of the guidance document for the list of eligible State and Federal programs).
Option 2: You must meet the income requirements based on your household size (please refer to page 7 of the guidance document to view the 2026 Low-Income Guidelines table).
Landlords are not eligible to receive an income-qualified rebate.
What chargers are eligible for the PowerUpRI rebate program?
Eligible chargers for the PowerUpRI rebate program are Energy Star or UL-certified Level 2 residential EV chargers.
The Office of Energy Resources highly recommends choosing a Wi-Fi-enabled or networked charger. These advanced chargers can capture and transmit data, making it easier for you to participate in future utility-run programs, such as off-peak charging and other related initiatives. For a full list of requirements, please see page 5 of the guidance document.
What chargers are not eligible for the PowerUpRI rebate program?
Level 1 and Level 3 (or DC Fast Chargers) are not eligible for the PowerUpRI rebate program. Additionally, Level 2 EV Chargers that are not Energy Star or UL certified are not eligible for the PowerUpRI rebate program.
Unsure of the differences between levels of charging? Learn more about each level at https://energy.ri.gov/transportation/ev-charging
Who can install the residential EV charging stations?
To be eligible for the PowerUpRI rebate program, EV chargers must be installed by a certified, licensed electrician.
Residents and landlords are not allowed to install the EV chargers themselves. Any EV chargers not installed by a certified, licensed electrician are ineligible for the PowerUpRI rebate program.
What qualifies as an electrical upgrade?
An electrical upgrade refers to any work that involves modifications or additions to a home’s electrical system to support the EV charger installation. This includes, but is not limited to, panel upgrades, new circuit installations, wiring extensions, and any work that connects directly to the electrical panel.
Is there a limit to how many rebates one household can receive?
For individual installations, there is a limit of one rebate per household for the program’s lifetime.
For landlord installations, there is a limit of one rebate per property for the program’s lifetime.
How many household installations will this rebate program be able to cover?
The PowerUpRI rebate program will start with an initial funding of $750,000. This amount is estimated to cover at least 800 at-home EV charger installations. However, the final number of rebates awarded may vary depending on the percentage of installations that require electrical upgrades.
What if an applicant purchased a charger prior to the PowerUpRI start date?
Only eligible chargers purchased on or after the PowerUpRI start date (08/01/2024) are eligible to apply for an incentive. There will be no retroactive rebates for prior purchases and installations.
Where can I find safety information related to at-home EV Chargers?
Several government agencies and national associations have created informational flyers related to at-home EV Charger safety. You can use any of the following links to locate these flyers:
Federal Emergency Management Agency:
https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/vehicle-fires/electric-vehicles/
National Fire Protection Association:
https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/electrical/electric-vehicles
Electrical Safety Foundation:
https://www.esfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ESFI-Electric-Vehicle-Charging-Safety.pdf
Application Questions
How do residents apply for the rebate?
Applications for the PowerUpRI rebate program are available through the online portal at https://drive.ri.gov/powerupri.
Alternatively, residents can email us at energy.powerupri@energy.ri.gov to request a printed copy of the application to be mailed to them. They can also call us at (401) 215-6057 for assistance.
How does the PowerUpRI application process work?
After purchasing and installing an eligible EV charger, please visit https://drive.ri.gov/powerupri to submit an application and upload supporting documentation. You must submit your application and supporting documents within 180 days of your EV charger’s installation. The PowerUpRI program administrator will contact you via email with status updates or requests for additional information.
If applicants don't have access to a computer, the program administrator can assist them through the application process. Please reach out to the program administrator at (401) 215-6057 to begin the process.
What supporting documents are required?
- Rebate Application.
- RI Driver’s License, or RI State Issued ID.
- Additional documents for residency verification may be requested on a case-by-case basis.
- Proof of Registration of a Battery Electric Vehicle or Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle
- Landlords installing EV Chargers on rental properties they own are exempt from this requirement.
- Applicants who rent a multifamily dwelling must have a signed letter of approval that allows for the installation of the EV Charger.
- Photo of installed EV Charger
- EV Charger sales receipt that includes the purchase date and purchase price.
- Electrician service receipt that includes the installation date, the cost of installation, and the location of installation.
- Copy of the manufacturers or retail store document (or specification sheet) that includes the EV Charger serial number, make, and model.
- Document must specify that the charger has an Energy Star-certified safety rating
- A completed and signed W-9 Form (attached to the application)
For Income-Qualified Applicants: All documents above, and
- Copy of State or Federal Low-Income program participation document, or complete self- attestation form of income (attached to the online application).
- Landlords are not eligible to receive income-qualified rebates.
Items can be uploaded as photos, saved screenshots, or PDFs.
How long does it take to process the application?
If approved, OER will award the appropriate rebate amount directly to the applicant in a single payment, by check, within four to six (4-6) weeks from the date of final approval. Processing times may vary.
Is there a deadline to apply for the rebate?
Yes, eligible applicants must submit an application, and all required supporting documentation within 180 days of the EV charger installation date. If the application and documentation are not submitted within this timeframe, the applicant will no longer be eligible for the rebate. Applications missing any documents will have two weeks to submit all required documentation, unless the two-week period extends beyond the 180-day application period.
Only eligible chargers purchased on or after the PowerUpRI start date (08/01/2024) are eligible for an incentive. There will be no retroactive rebates for prior purchases.
Rebates will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis, pending available funds.
Can residents apply for the rebate before purchasing an EV charger?
No, PowerUpRI is a post-installation rebate program. Applications must be submitted after the applicant purchases and installs the EV Charger. Submitting an application for the PowerUpRI rebate does not guarantee an award.
General Information
How long does it take to charge an EV using a Level 2 at-home charger?
Level 2 Charging provides an average of 25 miles of driving range per hour of charging. This makes level 2 charging perfect for home installations, as residents can charge overnight and wake up to a fully charged battery.
When is the best time to charge my electric vehicle?
Charging your electric vehicle during off-peak hours can help you save money on electricity and reduce your environmental impact. Off-peak hours are usually late at night – after 10 PM is best, or early in the morning when electricity demand is low. Another good time to charge is during the middle of the day when solar energy is abundant, such as between 10 AM and 2 PM.
Are there any state incentives for Rhode Islanders to purchase or lease EVs?
Yes. DRIVEEV is an EV rebate project administered through a partnership between OER and the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (RIIB). This project provides rebates to Rhode Island residents, small businesses, non-profits, and public sector entities to advance our clean transportation objectives in reducing transportation emissions and advancing the Act on Climate.
DRIVEEV offers rebates of up to $4,500 for the purchase or lease of new battery EVs and fuel-cell EVs and up to $3,000.00 for new plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
The project also provides rebates of up to $4,000.00 for the purchase or lease of used battery electric vehicles and fuel-cell electric vehicles, and up to $2,500 for used plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Additional rebates are available for small businesses, non-profits, and public sector entities.
It is the applicant's responsibility to submit the application online within 120 days of vehicle purchase or lease to qualify for the DRIVEEV program. For more information about DRIVEEV, please visit www.drive.ri.gov.
Does my utility, Rhode Island Energy, offer any electric vehicle incentives?
Rhode Island Energy launched the ConnectedSolutions Electric Vehicle Demand Response “EVDR” Program. The program helps EV drivers earn incentives to curtail electric vehicle charging and energy use when demand on the New England electric grid is forecasted to be at its peak. After enrolling a qualified EV or EV Charger and during a peak event, Rhode Island Energy will automatically send a signal to the participant’s EV or EV Charger to not charge during peak times. For more information, please visit: Rhode Island Energy
How many public EV charging stations are in RI?
As of November 5, 2025, Rhode Island has 313 locations equipped with Level 2 EV charging stations, offering a total of 718 Level 2 charging ports. Additionally, there are 50 locations in Rhode Island with DC fast charging (DCFC) EV charging stations providing 128 DCFC ports. Alternative Fuels Data Center: Alternative Fueling Station Locator
How many EVs are registered in RI?
To view the current number of zero-emission vehicles registered in Rhode Island, visit https://ridemgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=f164da525c77463b98cf55b72950beb7.