BEV: $200.00/year ($16.67/month)
PHEV: $100.00/year ($8.33/month)
Rhode Island EV Charging Costs (2026)
Data updated: May 19, 2026
Rhode Island sits near the expensive end of U.S. residential electricity markets, so an EV estimate should start with the actual utility account rather than the statewide average. Rhode Island Energy serves most customers, while Pascoag and Block Island require separate tariff checks. DRIVE EV can reduce vehicle purchase cost while funding is available, PowerUpRI can offset part of a Level 2 home-charger project, and the 2026 EV, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid highway-maintenance fees belong in any fuel-savings comparison. For trips, the public network is dense around Providence and I-95 but thinner on coastal and island routes.
Average Rate
$0.31/kWh
Rank #48 out of 50
EV Adoption
2.9%
State adoption estimate
Rhode Island Electricity Rates
Current rates by utility territory, with EV program details.
$0.31/kWh
$0.13/kWh above US average
Public Level 2 (est.): $0.39/kWh ($0.33-$0.51/kWh)
Public DC fast (est.): $0.61/kWh ($0.54-$0.74/kWh)
Estimated public charging prices derived from local electricity rates. Actual prices vary by network, location, and fees.
Rhode Island Energy customers can pair overnight charging with ConnectedSolutions EV demand response; Pascoag and Block Island customers should verify local tariffs.
| Utility | Avg Rate |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island Energy (Narragansett Electric) | Primary utility for most customers; EV cost depends on the full bill, including supply, delivery, riders, and any supplier choice terms |
| Rhode Island Energy ConnectedSolutions | $50 instant incentive and $20 annual incentive per enrolled EV or charger; peak events are June-September, 3 p.m.-8 p.m. |
| Pascoag Utility District | Municipal utility territory in Burrillville; verify the current local tariff rather than using Rhode Island Energy assumptions |
| Block Island Utility District | Separate island utility; home and public charging costs should be checked against the current BIUD tariff and site pricing |
Rhode Island Utility Context for EV Charging Costs
Rhode Island EV costs are mostly a bill-structure question. Supply, delivery, riders, supplier choice, demand-response enrollment, and charger rebate eligibility all matter before choosing a charging routine.
- Rhode Island Energy is the primary utility for most customers; compare the full bill rather than one energy charge because supply and delivery components can change separately.
- Rhode Island Energy's ConnectedSolutions EV demand-response program lists a $50 enrollment incentive and $20 annual incentive per enrolled EV or charger.
- ConnectedSolutions events run from June through September, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; the program says events are capped at 60 per season and no longer than three hours, with opt-out available.
- PowerUpRI offers residential Level 2 charger support. The official program page lists up to $800 for charger purchase, up to $1,000 for standard installation support when an electrical upgrade is needed, and up to $1,500 for income-qualified installation support.
- DRIVE EV is Rhode Island's vehicle rebate program. The official 2026 page lists up to $3,000 for a new BEV or FCEV, $2,000 for a new PHEV, $2,500 for a used BEV or FCEV, and $1,750 for a used PHEV, subject to funding and eligibility rules.
- Pascoag Utility District and Block Island Utility District customers should use local tariff pages rather than Rhode Island Energy assumptions.
- AFDC summarizes Rhode Island law by saying a company that provides energy for motor-vehicle fuel is not defined as a public utility under that provision.
AFDC: Rhode Island Transportation DataAFDC: Rhode Island Laws and IncentivesAFDC: Public Station Counts by StateRhode Island Energy: EV Demand ResponseRhode Island Energy: Electric RatesDRIVE EV: Rhode Island Vehicle RebatesPowerUpRI: Charger RebatesRIDOT: EV Charging StationsRhode Island OER: NEVI Phase 1
Rates updated monthly | Source: EIA and utility filings.
Rhode Island EV Registration Fee
Law reference: Rhode Island Public Law Chapter 278, Article 11 (2025)
Source: afdc.energy.gov/laws/all?state=RI + rilegislature.gov
Note: Beginning Jan. 1, 2026: $200 EV, $100 PHEV, and $50 HEV annual highway maintenance fee in addition to standard registration fees.
Rhode Island Local EV Charging Insights
Rhode Island's short distances help daily driving, but charging backup still changes by route. Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Newport, I-95, and the Massachusetts and Connecticut borders should be checked separately from beach, island, and seasonal travel.
- AFDC's 2024 vehicle data lists 8,300 EVs, 6,000 PHEVs, and 25,300 conventional hybrids registered in Rhode Island.
- AFDC's Rhode Island state profile lists 843 public electric charging ports and 164 private electric charging ports.
- AFDC's public station-count table, last updated May 19, 2026, breaks Rhode Island's public electric charging into 334 station locations, 20 Level 1 ports, 695 Level 2 ports, and 128 DC fast ports.
- Beginning January 1, 2026, AFDC's Rhode Island law summary lists annual road-use fees of $200 for EVs, $100 for PHEVs, and $50 for HEVs, in addition to standard registration fees.
- AFDC's Rhode Island law summary also lists proposed 2025 cost-recovery pricing for EV chargers on state property at $0.28/kWh for Level 2 charging and $0.39/kWh for DC fast charging, plus idle fees after stated grace periods.
- Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources says Phase 1 placed eight DC fast chargers and six dual-port Level 2 chargers along the I-95 Alternative Fuel Corridor.
- Rhode Island Energy's EV demand-response program is a summer peak-management program, not a lower-kWh-rate tariff; the value comes from incentives for allowing managed charging events.
EV Charging Costs by City in Rhode Island
View more Rhode Island cities ->| City | Avg Rate | Monthly Cost Estimate | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $0.30/kWh | $78.95/month | View city page -> |
| Warwick | $0.30/kWh | $78.95/month | View city page -> |
| Cranston | $0.30/kWh | $78.95/month | View city page -> |
How Rhode Island Compares to Nearby States
| State | Rate | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island (Current) | $0.31/kWh | #48 |
| Massachusetts | $0.31/kWh | #47 |
| Connecticut | $0.25/kWh | #42 |
| Pennsylvania | $0.20/kWh | #39 |
| New Jersey | $0.23/kWh | #40 |
| Vermont | $0.23/kWh | #41 |
Calculate Your Rhode Island EV Charging Costs
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV in Rhode Island?
Home charging in Rhode Island averages around $0.31/kWh. Public Level 2 sessions are estimated around $0.33-$0.51/kWh, while DC fast charging is estimated around $0.54-$0.74/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 Rhode Island?
For most homes, scheduled overnight charging is the baseline. Rhode Island Energy customers should also consider ConnectedSolutions if their EV or charger is eligible: the program manages charging during summer events between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and pays incentives. Pascoag and Block Island customers should verify their own local tariffs.
How much does it cost to fully charge a Tesla Model Y in Rhode Island?
Charging a Tesla Model Y from near-empty in Rhode Island costs approximately $23.53 at home, $29.60 at a public Level 2 station, and $46.30 at a DC fast charger, based on EPA efficiency of 25.3 kWh/100 miles and an estimated 300-mile range.
Does Rhode Island offer EV rebates?
Yes. DRIVE EV is Rhode Island's vehicle rebate program. The official 2026 page lists up to $3,000 for a new BEV or FCEV, $2,000 for a new PHEV, $2,500 for a used BEV or FCEV, and $1,750 for a used PHEV, plus DRIVE+ income-qualified support. Funding, vehicle eligibility, residency, sales tax, and application timing rules apply.
Does Rhode Island help pay for home EV chargers?
Yes. PowerUpRI offers residential Level 2 charging support. The program lists up to $800 for charger purchase, up to $1,000 for standard installation support when an electrical upgrade is needed, and up to $1,500 for income-qualified installation support. Equipment, installation, residency, and funding rules apply.
What EV registration fee does Rhode Island charge?
AFDC summarizes Rhode Island's 2025 law as adding annual highway maintenance fees beginning January 1, 2026: $200 for EVs, $100 for PHEVs, and $50 for HEVs, in addition to standard registration fees.
How does Rhode Island Energy's EV demand-response program work?
Rhode Island Energy's ConnectedSolutions EV program pays a $50 enrollment incentive and a $20 annual incentive per connected EV or charger. Events can occur June through September from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., with no more than 60 events per season and no event longer than three hours. Customers can opt out of events.
Where is Rhode Island public fast charging concentrated?
Public charging is concentrated around Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Newport, I-95, and cross-border routes toward Massachusetts and Connecticut. AFDC currently lists 128 DC fast ports statewide, so beach, island, and seasonal routes should still be checked by site rather than assuming urban redundancy.
How is Rhode Island using NEVI funds?
Rhode Island completed Phase 1 of its NEVI corridor work along I-95, and the Office of Energy Resources lists eight DC fast chargers plus six dual-port Level 2 chargers along the corridor. The buildout supports interstate reliability, but it does not replace home charging for everyday cost control.
Are EV charging station operators treated as utilities in Rhode Island?
AFDC summarizes Rhode Island law by stating that a company providing alternative fuel or energy sources for use as motor-vehicle fuel is not defined as a public utility under that provision. Public charging operators still need to follow applicable charging-site, payment, and operating rules.
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Internal Resources
Data updated monthly where available.