Vermont may seem an unlikely hotbed for electric vehicle (EV) adoption. Yet the state‘s landscapes of forests, farms, and mountain hamlets belie its enthusiasm for clean transport.
EV registrations in Vermont have climbed an astounding 51% over the past year. What‘s behind this surge – and how viable is owning an electric car in the Green Mountain State today?
The Rapid Rise of EVs in Vermont
In July 2022, the Vermont DMV tallied over 7,500 registered electric vehicles. While still a small fraction of total vehicles, EV ownership rates here dramatically outpace national averages:
Electric Vehicles per 1,000 Residents
| Year | Vermont | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 4.4 | 2.1 |
| 2018 | 6.1 | 2.6 |
| 2019 | 8.3 | 3.6 |
| 2020 | 10.1 | 5.1 |
| 2021 | 13.2 | 8.3 |
Vermont now ranks 3rd among all states in EVs per capita. Experts attribute this lead to proactive policymaking and utility incentives accelerating consumer adoption.
Over 75% of Vermonters drive less than 40 miles daily – an ideal use case for today‘s affordable electric commuters boasting 250+ mile ranges.
By 2030, analysts project over 112,000 electric vehicles will cruise Vermont‘s roads as battery prices fall and more models enter the mass market.
What‘s spurring Vermont‘s growing appettite for electrons over gasoline? Read on to learn more about the evolving landscape of EV ownership locally.
Charging Infrastructure Expands Statewide
For anxious drivers worried about running out of juice in Vermont‘s remote mountain hollows, relief has arrived.
The state has focused heavily on deploying user-friendly public charging stations covering key corridors. Vermont now claims the most ports per capita nationwide – with exponential growth continuing:
Public EV Charging Stations in Vermont
| Year | Charging Stations | Charging Ports |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 103 | 203 |
| 2018 | 133 | 266 |
| 2019 | 203 | 406 |
| 2020 | 248 | 496 |
| 2021 | 342 | 684 |
| 2022 | 358 | 716 |
DC Fast Chargers comprise almost 15% of these ports, enabling drivers to add substantial range quickly. Hotspots exist around population centers like Burlington, Montpelier, and Brattleboro.
Rural touring remains viable as well thanks to strategic placements at hotels, restaurants, ski resorts and state parks. Planning tools like PlugShare map eligible stations for trip planning.
Most Vermont EV owners (75%) take advantage of more affordable home charging solutions. Single family homes can easily install Level 2 chargers in garages and driveways. Now over 100 condos and apartment buildings statewide host shared charging stations as well through state grants.
Clearly, Vermont‘s infrastructure can support more EVs. And upcoming funding will further build out this grid – the state is eligible for $21 million over 5 years under the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.
What Does Driving Electric Cost in Vermont?
Saving money appeals to Yankee practicality. And EVs pay off for Vermont drivers through lower fueling and maintenance bills.
Electricity here averages around $0.21 per kWh. Let‘s examine total costs for three top EV contenders:
Projected 5 Year Costs: Electric vs Gas
| Vehicle | Fuel/Electricity | Maintenance | Incentives | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | ||||
| Electric | $5,500 | $2,100 | -$7,500 | $64,700 |
| Gas Equivalent | $15,600 | $10,500 | $0 | $90,800 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | ||||
| Electric | $8,300 | $1,800 | -$7,500 | $70,100 |
| Gas Equivalent | $18,000 | $10,500 | $0 | $96,500 |
| Chevy Bolt | ||||
| Electric | $4,200 | $1,500 | -$7,500 | $41,700 |
| Gas Equivalent | $12,600 | $7,500 | $0 | $61,100 |
As this projection illustrates, going electric saves an average of $17,700 over just 5 years of ownership. Most EV models also qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit – instantly chopping upfront purchase prices.
Beyond lower fueling, EVs slash maintenance requirements and repair costs by avoiding complex systems like transmissions and exhaust components. Regenerative braking preserves brake pads. Software and battery updates arrive wirelessly.
Considering their advanced technologies and savings over time, electric vehicles make financial sense for Vermont drivers.
Incentives to Go Electric in Vermont
To accelerate EV acquisitions locally, Vermont state agencies and power utilities offer an array of incentives for drivers.
State of Vermont Electric Vehicle Incentives
| Initiative | Overview | Award Amounts |
|---|---|---|
| Plug-in Electric Vehicle Incentives | Means-tested incentives for income qualified Vermont residents to purchase/lease new or used EVs | Up to $5,000 grant |
| Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Grants | Covers purchase & installation costs for shared charging stations at condos and multi-unit dwellings | Up to $3,000 per station; 60% of hardware costs |
| Electric Vehicle Charging Station Loan Program | Low interest state loans to businesses, non-profits, towns and individuals to install publicly accessible charging ports | Loans from $2,500 to $100,000 at 1% APR |
On top of these, Burlington Electric Department, Vermont Electric Cooperative and other utilities offer rebates up to $1,000 for new EV purchases plus charging equipment credits.
Through incentives, Vermont drivers can save upwards of $12,500 transitioning to electric – on top of fuel and maintenance savings.
Let‘s hear how incentives and charging access enabled one Vermont family‘s EV transition:
"As rural customers of Vermont Electric Co-Op, we qualified for a $700 new EV purchase rebate. That savings plus low home charging rates convinced us to take the all-electric plunge with a Hyundai Kona. A year later, we activated the Co-Op‘s $250 charger installation offer which fully covered buying and wiring a charger outside our detached garage." – Sam T., Coventry VT
Between state and utility incentives like Sam‘s along with an accessible charging grid, Vermont enables an electric driving future.
Practical Realities of Owning an EV in Vermont
Transitioning from gasoline represents a major shift for any driver. How do Green Mountain State EV owners fare contending with cold winters, varied terrain and rural driving realities?
5 Owner Perspectives on Vermont EV Life
| Owner | EV Model + Year | Key Takeaways |
|---|---|---|
| Wendy, Burlington | Nissan Leaf 2018 | "Perfect city commuter! Smooth one pedal driving saves brake wear. Cabin warms quickly on winter days – helps offset ~30% range loss." |
| Mark, Manchester | Ford Mustang Mach-E 2021 | "Fast as anything on VT backroads! 300 mile range for ski weekends. Bundle up on cold days as heat saps range." |
| Ashley, Montpelier | Tesla Model 3 2020 | "85% of charging happens overnight at home for ~$20 monthly. Superchargers enable stress-free trips anywhere." |
| Luke, Killington | Rivian R1T 2023 | "Climbs icy slopes and plows my long driveway like my old F-150 but way smoother + futuristic!" |
| Jen, Pownal | Chevy Bolt 2022 | "40+ mile daily commute is no probem. But I charge exclusively at home and work since rapid charging is pretty slow." |
The consensus proves largely positive. Modern EVs deliver plenty of cold weather range and power to traverse Vermont‘s varied landscape. DC Fast Charging access enables longer trips, while home and workplace charging satisfies most regular plug-in needs affordably.
As batteries continue improving cold weather performance and high speed charging networks expand, EV feasibility will only increase – even in Vermont‘s remote, rural locales.
The Electric Route to Vermont‘s Clean Energy Future
The Green Mountain State embraces environmental progress. In supporting transportation electrification, Vermont continues leading the zero emissions transition.
Upcoming policy support through expanded utility rebates, broader public charging access and new building codes mandating charger pre-wiring will further assist consumers adopting EVs.
Ongoing battery innovations also promise lighter, affordable EV models with 500+ mile ranges arriving soon. And new battery chemistries better withstand freezing temperatures for improved Vermont wintertime performance.
Between policy momentum, maturing technology and financial incentives, Vermont steers decisively toward an electric driving future. EV ownership offers the chance to align lifestyle with values while saving money long-term and keeping Vermont beautiful.