Law reference: South Dakota Codified Laws 32-5-188
Source: afdc.energy.gov/fuels/laws/ELEC?state=SD + sdlegislature.gov
Note: Annual $50 fee for electric vehicles, in addition to standard registration fees.
South Dakota EV Charging Costs (2026)
Data updated: May 20, 2026
South Dakota's EV cost picture is shaped less by a statewide average and more by service territory, distance, and winter route planning. Sioux Falls, Rapid City, I-29, and I-90 have the clearest charging coverage, while rural cross-state drives still need charger-by-charger checks. A Black Hills Energy customer in western South Dakota, an Xcel customer in the east, an Otter Tail customer, a Sioux Valley Energy member, and a Sioux Falls City Light & Power customer may face different rebate, metering, and off-peak rules. Add the state's $50 annual EV fee before comparing EV and gasoline costs, and treat NEVI as a developing corridor program rather than finished fast-charging coverage.
Average Rate
$0.13/kWh
Rank #13 out of 50
EV Adoption
1.1%
State adoption estimate
South Dakota 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.
South Dakota charging costs depend on utility territory: Black Hills Energy, Xcel, Otter Tail, Sioux Valley Energy, co-op, and municipal rules can differ by service address.
| Utility | Avg Rate |
|---|---|
| Black Hills Energy | Western South Dakota customers can check the Ready EV residential charger rebate, currently listed at $500 for eligible home charger costs |
| Xcel Energy South Dakota | Eastern South Dakota customers should verify EV purchase rebates, charger rebates, make-ready support, pilot rates, and tariff eligibility by account |
| Otter Tail Power | Level 2 charger rebate is tied to a qualified off-peak rate; Fixed Time of Delivery runs 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. |
| Sioux Falls, Sioux Valley, and local providers | Sioux Falls City Light & Power, Sioux Valley Energy, co-op, and municipal programs vary by service address and current funding |
South Dakota Utility Context for EV Charging Costs
South Dakota EV charging costs are service-address specific. Investor-owned utilities, electric co-ops, and municipal systems can each change charger rebate eligibility, off-peak windows, and total bill impact.
- Black Hills Energy's residential Ready EV page lists a $500 EV charging rebate for eligible home charger and installation costs.
- Otter Tail Power lists a $500 rebate for installing a Level 2 EV charging station on a qualified off-peak rate.
- Otter Tail's Fixed Time of Delivery page says approved equipment, including Level 2 EV charging stations, can receive energy from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- AFDC lists Xcel Energy South Dakota program categories including residential EV purchase rebates, charger purchase rebates, make-ready support, and pilot rate options; active eligibility should be checked by account.
- Sioux Valley Energy lists a $500 BEV rebate, a $250 PHEV rebate, a $300 EV-ready new-home construction rebate, and commercial/public charger rebate options, with rate-program enrollment rules.
- The 2026 Sioux Falls City Light & Power application lists a $500 Power Forward Level 2 Smart Charger rebate through Heartland Energy, subject to utility eligibility, documentation, and funding availability.
- AFDC summarizes South Dakota law by saying a charging provider that purchases electricity from the retail utility serving the assigned service area is not considered an electric utility.
AFDC: South Dakota Transportation DataAFDC: South Dakota Laws and IncentivesAFDC: Public Station Counts by StateBlack Hills Energy: Residential EV Charging RebateOtter Tail Power: EV Charging Stations and RateOtter Tail Power: Fixed Time of DeliverySioux Valley Energy: EV ProgramsSioux Valley Energy: Rate SchedulesSioux Falls City Light & Power: 2026 EV Charger RebateSDDOT: EV Fast Charging PlanSDDOT: 2025 NEVI Plan UpdateSDDOT: 2024 NEVI Plan
Rates updated monthly | Source: EIA and utility filings.
South Dakota EV Registration Fee
South Dakota Local EV Charging Insights
South Dakota route planning still matters more than statewide averages. Sioux Falls, Rapid City, I-29, I-90, the Black Hills, Missouri River crossings, and reservation-area routes should be checked against live station status before longer drives.
- AFDC's 2024 vehicle data lists 2,300 EVs, 1,700 PHEVs, and 14,700 conventional hybrids registered in South Dakota.
- AFDC's public station-count table, last updated May 20, 2026, breaks South Dakota's public electric charging into 118 station locations, 0 Level 1 ports, 184 Level 2 ports, and 159 DC fast ports.
- AFDC summarizes South Dakota's EV fee as $50 annually for electric vehicles under SDCL 32-5-188, in addition to standard registration fees.
- SDDOT's EV Fast Charging Plan page says South Dakota finalized its initial EV fast-charging plan in August 2022 and must submit annual deployment plan updates for NEVI funding.
- SDDOT's federally approved 2025 NEVI update says the state will evaluate charging station placement along Alternative Fuel Corridors proposed in the 2024 update and modify or supplement locations as needed.
- The 2024 South Dakota NEVI plan stated SDDOT had not deployed EV charging stations under the program at that time, so current corridor planning should be treated as developing rather than complete.
EV Charging Costs by City in South Dakota
View more South Dakota cities ->| City | Avg Rate | Monthly Cost Estimate | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $0.14/kWh | $36.84/month | View city page -> |
| Rapid City | $0.14/kWh | $36.84/month | View city page -> |
How South Dakota Compares to Nearby States
| State | Rate | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota (Current) | $0.13/kWh | #13 |
| North Dakota | $0.11/kWh | #1 |
| Minnesota | $0.15/kWh | #23 |
| Iowa | $0.13/kWh | #7 |
| Nebraska | $0.12/kWh | #5 |
| Wyoming | $0.13/kWh | #17 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV in South Dakota?
Home charging in South Dakota 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 South Dakota?
There is no single statewide off-peak window. Otter Tail's Fixed Time of Delivery page lists 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. for approved Level 2 EV charging equipment, while Black Hills Energy, Xcel, Sioux Valley Energy, co-ops, and municipal providers can use different rules. Use the service address and utility account before assuming a charging schedule.
How much does it cost to fully charge a Tesla Model Y in South Dakota?
Charging a Tesla Model Y from near-empty in South Dakota 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 registration fee does South Dakota charge?
South Dakota charges an additional $50 annual fee for electric vehicles under SDCL 32-5-188, in addition to standard registration fees. AFDC does not list a separate statewide PHEV surcharge in the same entry.
Does South Dakota offer a statewide EV purchase rebate?
No broad statewide consumer EV purchase rebate is listed by AFDC. Support is mostly utility specific: Black Hills Energy charger rebates, Otter Tail charger rebates, Xcel program categories, Sioux Valley Energy rebates and rates, and Sioux Falls City Light & Power charger rebates can matter by address.
Does Black Hills Energy offer an EV charger rebate in South Dakota?
Yes. Black Hills Energy's residential Ready EV page lists a $500 electric vehicle charging rebate for home charger and installation costs, subject to service-territory, equipment, installation, documentation, and funding rules.
Does Otter Tail Power help with EV charging in South Dakota?
Yes. Otter Tail lists a $500 Level 2 charger rebate on a qualified off-peak rate. Its Fixed Time of Delivery rate says Level 2 EV charging stations can be approved equipment with energy delivery from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
What South Dakota EV programs does Xcel list?
AFDC lists Xcel Energy South Dakota program categories including residential EV purchase rebates, charger purchase rebates, make-ready support, and pilot rate options. Customers should verify active enrollment, equipment rules, and funding through Xcel by account.
What EV programs are available around Sioux Falls and Sioux Valley Energy territory?
Sioux Valley Energy lists a $500 BEV rebate, a $250 PHEV rebate, a $300 EV-ready new-home construction rebate, commercial/public charger rebates, and EV rate options. Separately, the 2026 Sioux Falls City Light & Power application lists a $500 Power Forward Level 2 Smart Charger rebate through Heartland Energy for eligible city utility customers.
How is South Dakota building highway fast charging?
SDDOT's 2025 NEVI update says the state will evaluate and assess planned EV charging station placement along Alternative Fuel Corridors from the 2024 update and modify or supplement locations as needed. The 2024 plan said South Dakota had not deployed NEVI charging stations at that time, so corridor coverage should be checked with live station data.
Are EV charging operators treated as public utilities in South Dakota?
AFDC summarizes South Dakota law by stating that a charging provider is not considered an electric utility if it purchases electricity from the retail utility that serves the assigned service area. The same AFDC summary also describes South Dakota's EV charging station overcharge exemption.
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Internal Resources
Data updated monthly where available.