EV Charging in Montana

Montana has no state EV purchase rebate, no ZEV mandate, and no active utility EV charger rebate program. The federal 30C charger tax credit is the only direct EV equipment incentive for most Montana residents. NEVI investments through MDT are building fast charging on I-90, I-15, and I-94, with the first project solicitations expected in 2026. Montana's vast distances, cold winters, and annual EV registration fees are the most important planning factors.

Last updated June 2026

EV Charging Snapshot

Developing

EV Adoption Rate: 3.0%
Public Chargers: 140
Top Incentive: Federal EV Charger Tax Credit (30C), up to $1,000

Adoption score

3/10

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EV adoption snapshot

EVs registered in Montana

3,900

2024 data · U.S. DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center

Utilities serving Montana

Utility coverage for Montana is being expanded. Major utility pages will appear here as they ship.

Residential Incentives

Federal EV Charger Tax Credit (30C)

Up to $1,000 (30% of equipment plus installation)

Residential charging equipment placed in service through June 30, 2026. The property must be installed at the taxpayer's principal residence and located in an eligible census tract.

Apply / learn more →

Commercial & Property Owner Incentives

NEVI Formula Program (Montana)

Up to 80% of project costs (federal share); state award amounts set by solicitation

Public DC fast charging along Montana's designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (I-90, I-15, I-94, with US-2 and US-93 as additional priority corridors). MDT and DEQ have programmed 7 community-sited DC fast stations in the current build-out, with solicitations expected in 2026.

Apply / learn more →

Federal 30C Commercial Charger Tax Credit

Up to $100,000 per installed EV charging port (6% base, 30% with prevailing wage)

Businesses installing qualified charging property in eligible census tracts and placing it in service by June 30, 2026.

Apply / learn more →

Policy details

EV time-of-use rates

rare

NorthWestern Energy, which serves most Montana residential customers, does not currently publish a dedicated EV time-of-use rate. Optional whole-house TOU schedules are filed with the Montana PSC but not widely marketed to EV drivers. Cooperatives serve much of Montana at flat residential rates.

SourceVerified Jun 2026

Net metering / solar+EV

full retail

Montana statute requires NorthWestern Energy and other regulated investor-owned utilities to credit residential net metering customers with systems up to 50 kW at the full retail rate. Credits roll forward monthly and any unused credits typically expire on an annual settlement date. Cooperative utilities set their own policies and are not bound by the regulated-utility statute.

SourceVerified Jun 2026

Right to charge

No statewide statute

Montana has no right-to-charge statute. HOAs and condominium associations may lawfully restrict or prohibit EV charging station installation, subject only to general architectural-review obligations under the governing documents.

SourceVerified Jun 2026

EV registration fees

Montana assesses annual EV and PHEV registration fees at the time of registration. Light vehicles 11 or more years old may qualify for a one-time permanent registration fee under MCA 61-3-562 in lieu of annual renewal. Heavier EVs (above standard light-duty weight) may be assessed at higher fee tiers; consult MDT for exact amounts by weight class.

EV: $130/year

PHEV: $70/year

SourceVerified Jun 2026

Public charging network

Tesla Supercharger and ChargePoint have a limited presence in Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, and Great Falls. I-90 is the most-covered corridor. Statewide, Montana has roughly 140 public charging locations as of mid-2026, with about 100 Level 2 and 53 DC fast stations. Gaps are significant; traveling from Missoula to Billings (340 miles) requires careful charging planning. NEVI investments are targeting the longest gaps along I-90, I-15, and I-94.

Station-network counts for Montana will appear here once the next AFDC ingest runs.

Regulatory Environment

Montana has not adopted California's Advanced Clean Cars II standards and has no statewide ZEV mandate. The state has a resource extraction-oriented economy and limited-government political culture. MDT and DEQ are jointly administering NEVI corridor funds, with project solicitations expected in 2026. Montana imposes a $0.03 per kWh tax on electricity sold at public EV charging stations, and as of July 1, 2025 all new public stations must install a meter capable of measuring electricity delivered to the station. All public legacy stations must add per-vehicle metering by July 1, 2028. Montana's tourism economy (Glacier, Yellowstone access) creates demand for highway corridor charging.