BEV: $126.00/year ($10.50/month)
PHEV: $126.00/year ($10.50/month)
Kentucky EV Charging Costs (2026)
Data updated: May 19, 2026
Kentucky is usually a lower-cost state for home EV charging, but the real bill depends on utility territory, public-charging tax treatment, and whether the driver can shift most charging overnight. The Kentucky Public Service Commission regulates investor-owned utilities and electric cooperatives, while city-controlled and TVA-served utilities sit outside the same PSC framework. Kentucky also charges annual EV and plug-in hybrid ownership fees and taxes higher-power public charging energy, so ownership math should include fixed registration cost, home-vs-public charging mix, and route-specific fast-charging access. The state's 2026 NEVI openings are especially relevant for I-64, I-65, I-71, I-75, parkways, western Kentucky, and eastern Kentucky travel.
Average Rate
$0.13/kWh
Rank #8 out of 50
EV Adoption
1.4%
State adoption estimate
Kentucky Electricity Rates
Current rates by utility territory, with EV program details.
$0.13/kWh
$0.05/kWh below US average
Public Level 2 (est.): $0.29/kWh ($0.25-$0.38/kWh)
Public DC fast (est.): $0.46/kWh ($0.41-$0.55/kWh)
Estimated public charging prices derived from local electricity rates. Actual prices vary by network, location, and fees.
Many utilities offer off-peak EV charging options that can lower effective charging costs.
| Utility | Avg Rate |
|---|---|
| Louisville Gas & Electric Co | $0.12/kWh |
| Kentucky Utilities Co | $0.13/kWh |
| Tri-County Elec Member Corp (TN) | $0.13/kWh |
Kentucky Utility Context for EV Charging Costs
Kentucky EV charging cost is a utility-territory question first. Check your PSC-regulated utility, municipal or TVA-served local provider, and any cooperative pilot before assuming the statewide average matches your bill.
- The Kentucky PSC says it regulates intrastate rates and services for investor-owned electric utilities and customer-owned electric cooperatives, but not utilities controlled by cities, political subdivisions, or those served by TVA.
- LG&E and KU publish an Optimized EV Charging Program for residential customers and small commercial GS customers, with a $25 sign-up bonus for allowing charging to be shifted while the driver remains in control.
- Participating Kentucky Touchstone Energy Cooperatives offer an EV pilot that gives eligible residential members a $0.02/kWh bill credit for at-home Level 2 EV charging completed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Eastern time.
- Nolin RECC's public pilot page adds an availability limit: its off-peak EV credit is capped at 500 members and is listed as a limited-time offer ending June 30, 2026.
- AFDC's Kentucky utility summary lists Duke Energy residential EV support that includes an EV time-of-use rate plus Level 2, DC fast, and make-ready or pre-wiring charger incentives; drivers should still verify final eligibility directly with their own utility.
- LG&E and KU's fast-charging site partner page lists a Kentucky PSC-approved direct-to-consumer fast-charging rate of $0.25/kWh plus taxes and fees, which is separate from residential home-charging averages.
EIA: Kentucky Electricity ProfileKentucky PSC: About the CommissionKentucky PSC: Electric Utility InformationLG&E and KU: Electric Vehicle Charging StationsLG&E and KU: Fast-Charging Site Partner RequestKentucky Touchstone Energy Cooperatives: EV Pilot ProgramNolin RECC: Residential Off-Peak EV Charging PilotAFDC: Kentucky Laws and IncentivesAFDC: Kentucky EV FeeKentucky DRIVE: Electric and Hybrid Vehicle FeeKRS 138.475: EV Ownership FeesKentucky Revenue: EV Power Excise TaxTeam Kentucky EV Charging ProgramKYTC: April 2026 Paducah Fast-Charging OpeningKYTC Vehicle Counts
Rates updated monthly | Source: EIA and utility filings.
Kentucky EV Registration Fee
Law reference: Kentucky Revised Statutes 138.475
Source: drive.ky.gov/Pages/EV-HV-Fee.aspx
Note: DRIVE and AFDC public guidance list $126/year for EVs and plug-in hybrid EVs; the fee adjusts annually under KRS 138.475 based on NHCCI 2.0.
Kentucky Local EV Charging Insights
These Kentucky-specific policy and infrastructure details belong in the cost model next to the local kWh rate.
- Kentucky DRIVE and AFDC public guidance list annual ownership fees of $126 for EVs and $126 for plug-in hybrid EVs, plus $63 for electric motorcycles. For EVs and PHEVs, that is $10.50/month before electricity cost, with annual adjustment required under KRS 138.475.
- Kentucky Department of Revenue guidance lists the EV power excise tax and state-property surtax at $0.032/kWh each effective January 1, 2025. House Bill 122 excluded Level 1 and Level 2 charging stations from the dealer tax definition, and only charging stations above 20 kW must register, collect, and remit the tax.
- Team Kentucky's EV Charging Program reported on April 13, 2026 that nine NEVI-funded fast-charging stations were open: Berea, Campton, Glasgow, Grayson, Hazard, Morehead, Paducah, Richmond, and Sparta.
- KYTC reported NEVI funds totaling $55 million obligated for Kentucky fast-charging stations, with stations required to have at least four 150 kW ports, 24/7 public access, broad EV compatibility, a 20% developer cost share, and at least five years of operation and maintenance.
- KYTC's statewide vehicle-count data for December 31, 2025 lists 19,540 electric autos and trucks, 8,343 plug-in hybrids, and 92,794 gasoline hybrids, showing EV adoption is still early but no longer negligible for utility planning.
EV Charging Costs by City in Kentucky
View more Kentucky cities ->| City | Avg Rate | Monthly Cost Estimate | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $0.12/kWh | $31.58/month | View city page -> |
| Lexington-Fayette | $0.13/kWh | $34.21/month | View city page -> |
| Bowling Green | $0.13/kWh | $34.21/month | View city page -> |
How Kentucky Compares to Nearby States
| State | Rate | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky (Current) | $0.13/kWh | #8 |
| Illinois | $0.17/kWh | #34 |
| Indiana | $0.16/kWh | #31 |
| Ohio | $0.17/kWh | #35 |
| West Virginia | $0.15/kWh | #28 |
| Virginia | $0.15/kWh | #27 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV in Kentucky?
Home charging in Kentucky averages around $0.13/kWh. Public Level 2 sessions are estimated around $0.25-$0.38/kWh, while DC fast charging is estimated around $0.41-$0.55/kWh depending on network and membership. Final cost can also include session or idle fees.
What is the cheapest time to charge an EV in Kentucky?
Overnight charging is the best default in Kentucky, but the exact value depends on your utility. Touchstone Energy cooperative members in the EV pilot can earn a $0.02/kWh credit for eligible Level 2 home charging from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Eastern time, while LG&E/KU customers should check the Optimized EV Charging Program and Duke Energy Kentucky customers should verify current TOU and charger-program eligibility.
How much does it cost to fully charge a Tesla Model Y in Kentucky?
Charging a Tesla Model Y from near-empty in Kentucky costs approximately $9.87 at home, $22.01 at a public Level 2 station, and $34.91 at a DC fast charger, based on EPA efficiency of 25.3 kWh/100 miles and an estimated 300-mile range.
What EV ownership fee does Kentucky currently publish?
Kentucky DRIVE and AFDC public guidance list annual ownership fees of $126 for EVs and $126 for plug-in hybrid EVs, plus $63 for electric motorcycles. That adds about $10.50 per month for EVs and PHEVs before electricity cost. The fee is adjusted annually under KRS 138.475 based on the National Highway Construction Cost Index 2.0, so verify the current DRIVE page before renewal.
Does Kentucky tax public EV charging?
Yes. Kentucky Department of Revenue guidance lists an EV power excise tax of $0.032/kWh effective January 1, 2025, with an additional $0.032/kWh surtax for charging stations on state property. House Bill 122 excluded Level 1 and Level 2 stations from the dealer-tax definition, and only charging stations above 20 kW must register, collect, and remit the tax.
How is Kentucky's highway fast-charging buildout progressing?
Kentucky's NEVI rollout is active. KYTC reported nine open NEVI-funded fast-charging sites by April 13, 2026 and $55 million in obligated NEVI funds for fast-charging stations statewide. Awarded sites must provide at least four 150 kW ports, 24/7 public access, broad EV compatibility, and at least five years of operation and maintenance.
Do Kentucky utilities offer EV charging discounts or rebates?
Some do, but eligibility is territory-specific. LG&E/KU publish an Optimized EV Charging Program, participating Kentucky Touchstone Energy Cooperatives publish a residential off-peak EV pilot credit, and AFDC lists Duke Energy Kentucky residential EV TOU and charger incentives. Check your exact utility account before budgeting because program categories, pilot caps, and vehicle-compatibility rules differ by service territory.
Are EV charging providers regulated as public utilities in Kentucky?
AFDC's Kentucky public utility definition entry says an entity that owns or operates an EV charging station is not defined as a public utility, citing Kentucky PSC Case No. 2018-00372. That supports charging-station business models, but drivers should still price sessions by posted network rate, state tax, and any session or idle fees.
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Internal Resources
Data updated monthly where available.