Chapel Hill EV Charger Rebates & Incentives (2026)
Updated 2026-10-19 · Chapel Hill, NC
- Up to $1,117
- Best utility credit
- 2026-10-19
- Last checked
- Ended
- Federal 30C credit
By electric company
| Utility | Program | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy Carolinas | Duke Energy Charger Prep Credit For wiring, conduit, outlet, breaker and panel work. Not the charger, mounting or permits. | up to $1,117 |
| Piedmont Electric | No charger installation rebate, but members get a $50 bill credit for reporting a plug-in EV and another $50 for joining the co-op's EV time-of-day rate. | — |
Not sure which utility serves you? Here's how to tell.
How the Duke Energy Charger Prep Credit works
Duke Energy Carolinas customers can get up to $1,117 back. Apply online; if approved, Duke's vendor (Blackhawk) mails a check within 30 days.
| Covered | Not covered |
|---|---|
| Conduit, wiring and 240V outlets supplying the charger | EV charger hardware |
| Breaker installation and panel upgrades | Charger mounting and commissioning |
| Labor for that work | Pulling permits and permit fees |
| Service upgrades on Duke's side of the meter (rarely needed; may fall under Duke's Line Extension Plan) |
Who qualifies
- You own the home, and the EV (fully electric or plug-in hybrid) is registered to your Duke Energy account address
- Work done by a licensed electrician, with an approved permit
- Apply within 120 days of the latest invoice or the EV registration date
- One credit per EV registered to the address
What you'll send
- EV registration showing your Duke account address
- Paid, itemized invoice: materials and labor as separate lines, permit as its own line, contractor name, address and phone
- Copy of the approved permit
A local licensed electrician pulls the permit and itemizes your invoice the way Duke Energy asks (materials, labor and permit on separate lines), so the application is straightforward.
Duke's step-by-step application guide (PDF) ↗Duke Energy program page ↗
Paperwork that gets you paid
Check your program's timing: some need pre-approval before the work starts, while others are claimed after the install within a set window. Either way you'll need an itemized invoice and a closed permit. A local licensed electrician handles both as part of every Chapel Hill install.
What happened to the federal credit?
The federal Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit (30C) covered 30% of a home charger install, up to $1,000, in eligible areas. It ended for property placed in service after June 30, 2026. If your charger was installed by then, you can still claim it on your 2026 return with IRS Form 8911.
Sources
- NC Office of State Fire Marshal: State Electrical Code (2023 code on indefinite delay)
- NC OSFM: 2020 NC Electrical Code amendments (dwellings stay on the 2017 code, PDF)
- NC General Assembly: Session Law 2025-2 (PDF)
- NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors
- NC General Statutes § 87-43.1: Exemptions (owner's own property)
- 21 NCAC 18B .0303: License limits by class (PDF)
- U.S. DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center: Charging at home
- NCACC: July 2026 county data fact sheet (vehicle registrations)
- Orange County: Building inspection fees effective July 1, 2026 (PDF)
- Orange County: Building permits
- U.S. DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center: Station locator
- Duke Energy: NC Charger Prep Credit
- Duke Energy: Charger Prep Credit quick start guide (PDF)
- Duke Energy: EV Overnight Advantage
- Duke Energy Carolinas: Schedule RT-EV (PDF)
- WBTV: Duke Energy Carolinas bills could rise nearly $10 per month in 2027
- Piedmont Electric: Electric vehicles
- Piedmont Electric: Rate schedules, May 2026 (PDF)
- Town of Chapel Hill: Building & Development Services fee schedule
- Town of Chapel Hill: Inspections
Rates and programs change. Confirm with your utility before you install.