Electric Vehicles
With increasing range, lower operating costs, outstanding performance and acceleration, and an enjoyable driving experience, electric vehicles are gaining popularity. Experts project that electric vehicles could make up 75% of vehicle sales by 2050. The typical range for today’s EVs has more than tripled in the last decade, with an average range of 293 miles for 2025 model year EVs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
EV motors react quickly compared to gas engines, making them quiet and fun to drive. Since electric vehicles have many fewer moving parts and have regenerative breaking, there are lower maintenance requirements and costs. Full electric vehicles do not need oil changes and do not require emissions tests. EVs reduce emissions that are harmful to our climate and reduce smog that can negatively affect health. EVs can even lower harmful nitrogen levels in the Chesapeake Bay. Currently, a third of nitrogen deposits to the Chesapeake Bay come from vehicles.
EV Purchasing Incentives
In 2025, the federal government ended the EV tax credit early. The state of Maryland has a state tax credit, which is based on annual funding availability, for electric vehicle purchases during 2023-2027. Learn more about Maryland EV incentives and find out if the state is currently accepting applications.
EV Charger Incentives
Purchasing an electric vehicle charger? The Maryland Energy Administration’s EVSE Rebate Program offers up to $700 for home electric vehicle chargers and $5,000 for commercial electric vehicle chargers.
There is a federal EV charger incentive that is set to expire on June 30, 2026. The 30C Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit only applies to certain census tracts and covers 30% of the cost of EV chargers up to a maximum credit of $1,000 per item. You can learn more details about eligibility and find a mapping tool online.
Nonprofits and government entities can claim the 30C tax credits for an eligible EV charger installation or EV purchase through elective pay (also known as “direct pay”). Tax-exempt entities can get more information on the elective pay frequently asked questions page.
*Tax credits are usually restricted to certain types of equipment and/or census tracts. Please read the entire IRS page or consult a tax advisor prior to making a purchase on the basis of a credit.
Utility Offers
Your utility company may have offers or promotions to help you save on charger installation or electric vehicle charging.
Howard County Clean Miles Club
To supercharge Howard County’s adoption of EVs and support potential EV-converts, the Office of Community Sustainability (OCS) has formed a “Clean Miles Club” networking group of current and prospective EV owners. The program is designed to give participants a forum for discussing EV-related successes and challenges with the County, sharing upcoming EV events, partnerships, and funding opportunities, and detailing ownership considerations and best practices. In conjunction with OCS, the Clean Miles Club hosts a reoccurring “Ask an EV Driver” webinar series. Check the Live Green Howard events page for the next installment.
The Clean Miles Club is open to Howard County drivers of all vehicle types. To sign up for the Clean Miles Club, please complete this short survey to help us understand resident needs and concerns.
EV Charging Infrastructure
Howard County has added more than 76 public charging stations since 2019. Howard County participates in several programs and partnerships to add capacity. Howard County government partnered with BGE’s EVsmart program, which added 500 electric vehicle ports in Maryland. We are also in touch with Electrify America which installed high-capacity charging in Columbia and Ellicott City and we are working with MDE on Maryland’s Volkswagen Mitigation Plan. These programs provide electric vehicle charging infrastructure to Howard County for little or no cost.
The partnership with BGE has added EV charging at the following public sites. BGE installed and maintains them at no cost to County government. There are a mix of Level 2 and DC Fast Chargers.
- Miller Library/Ellicott City 50+ Center, 9421 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City
- Savage Library, 9525 Durness Lane, Laurel
- Central Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
- Glenwood Library, 2350 Roxbury Mills Rd, Cooksville
- Ascend One Building, 8930 Stanford Blvd, Columbia
- Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
- Ellicott City Courthouse, 3701 Courthouse Dr, Ellicott City
- Roger Carter Community Center, 3000 Milltowne Dr, Ellicott City
Howard County Government has installed chargers for government fleet but also public charging at the following locations:
- Long Reach Village Center, 8775 Cloudleap Ct, Columbia, MD
- North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd, Laurel
- George Howard Building, 3430 Courthouse Dr. Ellicott City
- Blandair Park, 5750 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia
- Howard County Courthouse 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City
- Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia
- Ulman Building (formerly Gateway Building), 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr, Columbia
- Waterloo Fire Station, 7645 Port Capital Dr,
- Patuxent Woods Dr, 9830 Patuxent Woods Dr, Columbia
- Elkridge Volunteer Fire Station, 5700 Rowanberry Dr, Elkridge
- Meadowbrook Athletic Complex, 5001 Meadowbrook Ln, Ellicott City
- East Columbia Library and 50+ Campus, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia
How To Find Charging Stations
There are several websites/apps that can help you locate EV charging stations. These tools can provide you with valuable information, such as charging costs, parking costs, and availability and accessibility of the charger. PlugShare and ChargeHub are two great resources. BGE also has a tool for locating charging stations.
Howard County Innovative EV Readiness
Howard County requires new residential and commercial properties to be EV ready. Installing EV infrastructure during construction is much more cost-effective than adding it later.
In 2019, Howard County became the first jurisdiction in Maryland and one of the first in the U.S. to require that new residential construction with driveways or garages have the electric wiring to enable electric vehicle charging. New multi-family residential building were required to provide one EV charging station for every twenty-five residential units.
In 2026, Howard County expanded EV readiness to new large commercial builds, requiring 10% of parking spots to have EV chargers and another 10% to be wired to be EV ready.