BEV: $200.00/year ($16.67/month)
PHEV: $100.00/year ($8.33/month)
Tennessee EV Charging Costs (2026)
Data updated: May 21, 2026
Tennessee has relatively low home electricity prices, but the EV ownership total is not just the cents-per-kWh number. Most customers buy power through a local power company served by TVA, so Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro, and smaller co-op territories can follow different retail tariffs. The state also has one of the higher annual EV fees in the South: $200 for EVs in 2026, $100 for PHEVs and hybrids, and a scheduled EV increase to $274 in 2027. For road trips, I-40, I-24, I-65, I-75, US 64, Fast Charge TN, and TEVI awards matter more than the statewide average rate.
Average Rate
$0.13/kWh
Rank #14 out of 50
EV Adoption
1.9%
State adoption estimate
Tennessee 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.
Tennessee EV charging costs should be checked by local power company: MLGW, Middle Tennessee Electric, Gallatin, KUB, NES, EPB, and other TVA-served utilities use different TOU, EV charging, and commercial rate options.
| Utility | Avg Rate |
|---|---|
| TVA and local power companies | TVA serves nearly all Tennessee electric territory through local power companies; household EV cost still depends on the local distributor tariff |
| Memphis Light, Gas and Water | MLGW lists residential TOU as voluntary but says new enrollment is currently limited to pilot participants |
| Nashville Electric Service | NES lists a commercial Electric Vehicle Charging Power rate for separately metered EV charging loads above 50 kW |
| Knoxville Utilities Board | KUB operates public DC fast charging sites in downtown Knoxville and Seymour and lists TOU and EV charging rates |
| EPB Chattanooga | EPB lists commercial EV charging rate documents and a small residential new-construction EV connectivity incentive |
Tennessee Utility Context for EV Charging Costs
Tennessee's electric system is TVA-centered, but retail EV cost decisions happen at the local power company level. Check the utility account before assuming a statewide off-peak window or charger rebate.
- TDOT's TEVI page says TVA provides electricity to about 99.7% of Tennessee's electricity service territory through local power companies.
- TVA EnergyRight says the region's electricity is nearly 60% carbon-free and points drivers to home charging, public charging maps, and the Fast Charge Network.
- AFDC lists Tennessee utility program categories across local providers: MLGW residential EV TOU, Middle Tennessee Electric residential TOU and Level 2 charger rebates, Gallatin TOU, KUB non-residential EV TOU, NES non-residential EV TOU, and TVA non-residential DC fast-charging support.
- MLGW's residential rate page lists a voluntary TOU schedule effective January 5, 2026, but notes that new TOU enrollment is currently unavailable and limited to pilot participants.
- NES publishes an Electric Vehicle Charging Power rate for separately metered EV charging stations with demand greater than 50 kW and not more than 5,000 kW.
- KUB says it operates two public DC fast-charging locations in its service territory, downtown Knoxville and Seymour, as part of the Fast Charge TN Network.
- EPB lists commercial EV charging power rate documents and a $50 Smart Build EV charging connectivity incentive for eligible newly built homes.
AFDC: Tennessee Transportation DataAFDC: Tennessee Laws and IncentivesAFDC: Tennessee EV FeeAFDC: Public Station Counts by StateTDOT: Tennessee Electric Vehicle Infrastructure ProgramTDOT: FY 2026 TEVI PlanTDOT: TEVI Round 1 AwardsTDEC: Fast Charge TN NetworkTVA EnergyRight: EV ChargingMLGW: Residential RatesMLGW: Electric VehiclesKUB: Electric Vehicle Charging StationsKUB: Electric VehiclesNES: Electric Vehicle Charging Power RateEPB: EV Connectivity IncentiveEPB: EV Charging Power Rate
Rates updated monthly | Source: EIA and utility filings.
Tennessee EV Registration Fee
Law reference: Tennessee Code Annotated 55-4-116
Source: afdc.energy.gov/laws/11787 + tnclerks.zendesk.com
Note: Annual fee is $200 for EVs and $100 for PHEVs in 2026; AFDC lists the EV fee at $274 for 2027 and $274 adjusted annually for inflation beginning in 2028.
Tennessee Local EV Charging Insights
Tennessee has the most charging depth in its largest metros, but long-distance planning still depends on which network fills the gap between Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Tri-Cities, and rural highway segments.
- AFDC's 2024 vehicle data lists 42,600 EVs, 12,800 PHEVs, and 131,600 conventional hybrids registered in Tennessee.
- AFDC's public station-count table, last updated May 21, 2026, breaks Tennessee's public electric charging into 1,111 station locations, 1 Level 1 port, 2,054 Level 2 ports, and 1,003 DC fast ports.
- AFDC lists a $200 annual EV fee for 2024 through 2026, a $274 EV fee for 2027, and a $100 annual fee for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles for 2024 through 2028.
- TDOT and TDEC announced $21 million in NEVI funds in January 2024. The announcement says 167 applications were received, 10 applicants were awarded contracts, and those awards would establish 30 new charging locations.
- TDOT's FY 2026 TEVI plan says Tennessee expects about $88.3 million in NEVI formula funding over federal fiscal years 2022 through 2026 and that major interstates plus part of US 64 are eligible Alternative Fuel Corridors.
- The FY 2026 TEVI plan also says the federal NEVI pause in February 2025 occurred before Round 1 contracts were executed, so the state planned to reengage awardees and reassess coverage needs when the program resumed.
- TDEC's Fast Charge TN Network page says the TDEC-TVA program is separate from TEVI and targets fast charging at least every 50 miles along prioritized Tennessee corridors.
- MLGW says it received funding for two Shelby County DC fast-charging locations, one tied to I-40/I-69 and one tied to I-269 in Collierville, with equipment planned for 2026.
EV Charging Costs by City in Tennessee
View more Tennessee cities ->| City | Avg Rate | Monthly Cost Estimate | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $0.13/kWh | $34.21/month | View city page -> |
| Nashville | $0.14/kWh | $36.84/month | View city page -> |
| Knoxville | $0.13/kWh | $34.21/month | View city page -> |
| Chattanooga | $0.13/kWh | $34.21/month | View city page -> |
How Tennessee Compares to Nearby States
| State | Rate | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (Current) | $0.13/kWh | #14 |
| Kentucky | $0.13/kWh | #8 |
| Virginia | $0.15/kWh | #27 |
| North Carolina | $0.13/kWh | #12 |
| Georgia | $0.14/kWh | #18 |
| Alabama | $0.16/kWh | #29 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charge an EV in Tennessee?
Home charging in Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
There is no single Tennessee off-peak window. TVA serves most of the state through local power companies, and retail tariffs are set locally. MLGW lists residential TOU but says new enrollment is currently limited to pilot participants; Middle Tennessee Electric and Gallatin list residential EV TOU categories through AFDC; KUB and NES list EV charging rate categories mainly for non-residential charging. Check the local power company account before assuming an overnight discount.
How much does it cost to fully charge a Tesla Model Y in Tennessee?
Charging a Tesla Model Y from near-empty in Tennessee 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 Tennessee charge?
For 2026 renewals, Tennessee charges $200 per year for all-electric vehicles and $100 per year for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, in addition to standard registration fees. AFDC lists the all-electric fee increasing to $274 for 2027 renewals, while the hybrid/PHEV fee remains $100 for 2024 through 2028 and is indexed after that.
Does Tennessee offer a statewide EV purchase rebate?
No broad statewide consumer EV purchase rebate is listed in AFDC's Tennessee summary. Most Tennessee support is infrastructure-focused, including TEVI and Fast Charge TN, or local-utility specific, such as Middle Tennessee Electric charger categories, EPB's small Smart Build EV connectivity incentive, and utility TOU or commercial EV charging rates.
How are TVA and local power companies involved in Tennessee EV charging?
TVA supports regional EV education, charging maps, and fast-charging corridor work through EnergyRight and Fast Charge Network efforts. Retail bills still come from the local power company, so an MLGW, NES, KUB, EPB, MTE, or co-op customer may see different EV rate options even though TVA is the wholesale power supplier for most of the state.
What is Fast Charge TN?
Fast Charge TN is a TDEC and TVA corridor program that is separate from Tennessee's NEVI-funded TEVI program. TDEC says it targets public DC fast charging at least every 50 miles along prioritized corridors, and its 2025 Round 2 solicitation offered up to $150,000 per charger and up to $600,000 per site.
What is Tennessee's TEVI program?
TEVI is Tennessee's NEVI program, administered by TDOT and TDEC. Tennessee's FY 2026 TEVI plan lists about $88.3 million in NEVI formula funding over federal fiscal years 2022 through 2026, with major interstates and part of US 64 treated as eligible Alternative Fuel Corridors.
What should Memphis EV drivers know about MLGW?
MLGW lists a voluntary residential TOU rate effective January 5, 2026, but says new TOU enrollment is currently unavailable and limited to pilot participants. MLGW also says it is developing two Fast Charge TN-funded DC fast-charging sites in Shelby County, with equipment planned for 2026.
What should Knoxville and Chattanooga EV drivers check?
KUB says it operates public DC fast-charging sites in downtown Knoxville and Seymour and lists TOU and EV charging rates. EPB lists commercial EV charging power rate documents and a $50 Smart Build EV charging connectivity incentive for eligible newly built homes. For home charging, both markets still require checking the exact account and rate schedule.
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Internal Resources
Data updated monthly where available.