State guide
Montana
MT3 / 10AdoptionMontana has no state EV purchase rebate, no ZEV mandate, and no active utility EV charger rebate program. The federal 30C charger tax credit ended June 30, 2026 and is no longer available, so NEVI corridor funding is the main remaining EV infrastructure support. NEVI investments through MDT are building fast charging on I-90, I-15, and I-94; the first project solicitation was issued with qualifications responses due April 7, 2026, and contractor selection is underway. Montana's vast distances, cold winters, and annual EV registration fees are the most important planning factors.
Last updated July 2026
EV Charging Snapshot
Developing- EV Adoption Rate
- 3.0%
- Public Chargers
- 160
- Top Incentive
- NEVI Formula Program (Montana), up to 80% of project costs
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EV adoption snapshot
Incentives and rebates
Amounts shift as funding rounds open and close. Confirm the live program page before you apply.
| Program | Amount | Who qualifies | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal EV Charger Tax Credit (30C) | Ended June 30, 2026 (no longer available) | The federal 30C charger credit ended June 30, 2026. It previously covered residential charging equipment placed in service in an eligible census tract; property placed in service after that date cannot claim it. | Learn more ↗ |
| Program | Amount | Who qualifies | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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; the first solicitation's statements of qualifications were due April 7, 2026, and contractor selection is underway. | Learn more ↗ |
| Federal 30C Commercial Charger Tax Credit | Ended June 30, 2026 (no longer available) | The federal 30C charger credit ended June 30, 2026. It previously covered commercial charging equipment placed in service in an eligible census tract; property placed in service after that date cannot claim it. | Learn more ↗ |
Time-of-use rates
Peak windows and prices are set by each utility and change at rate cases.
- Availability
- rare
- Summary
- 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.
- Source
- SourceVerified Jul 2026
Net metering and solar export
Matters if you pair rooftop solar with home charging.
- Status
- full retail
- Summary
- 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.
- Source
- SourceVerified Jul 2026
Right to charge
Whether an HOA or landlord can block a home charger install.
- What it does
- 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.
- Source
- SourceVerified Jun 2026
Registration and EV fees
The annual surcharge that replaces gas-tax revenue.
| Vehicle type | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| Battery electric (EV) | $130/year |
| Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) | $70/year |
Utilities serving Montana
Your EV rate, rebates, and make-ready programs depend on who serves your address.
Utility coverage for Montana is being expanded. Major utility pages will appear here as they ship.
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 160 public charging locations as of mid-2026, offering about 220 Level 2 and 250 DC fast charging ports. 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; the first project solicitation closed to qualifications responses on April 7, 2026 and contractor selection is underway. Montana imposes a $0.03 per kWh tax on electricity sold at public EV charging stations rated above 25 kW (MCA 15-70-801 through 15-70-805); public Level 2 stations at or below 25 kW are outside the scheme. As of July 1, 2025 new covered stations must install a separate meter measuring electricity delivered to the station, and covered legacy stations must add one by July 1, 2028. Montana's tourism economy (Glacier, Yellowstone access) creates demand for highway corridor charging.
Sources
- EIA Form 861Retrieved May 2026
- NREL Alternative Fuels Data Center, MontanaRetrieved Jun 2026
- Montana DEQ, Federal Tax CreditsRetrieved Jun 2026
- Montana DEQ, FY2022-2026 NEVI State PlanRetrieved Jun 2026
- NorthWestern Energy, Residential Rebates and IncentivesRetrieved Jun 2026
Free guide
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