So you‘re thinking about an electric vehicle (EV) for your next car? Smart move! Especially as gas prices remain unstable. But how realistic is owning an EV in little old Delaware?
I‘m here with the complete download after digging into everything from incentives to charging infrastructure and costs. I‘ll give you an unbiased look at the pros, cons, and key things to know before taking the all-electric plunge in the First State.
Jump Ahead:
Home and Public Charging Costs
Purchase Incentives and Rebates
Recent Investments and Policy Support
The Verdict: Is an EV Right for You?
Overview of EVs in Delaware
Delaware isn‘t leading the charge on EVs like some states. But it‘s ramping up support and incentives amid rising consumer interest.
Around 2.1% of new vehicles sold in Delaware were plug-in electric in 2021. That‘s higher than the Midwest overall, but lower than progressive states like California and Washington pushing towards gas car bans.
With most EVs priced at $40-60k still, high costs remain the top barrier locally. But with more affordable options from Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia and polestar on the horizon, access is expanding.
And Delaware offers some buyer incentives, including:
- $2,500 state point-of-sale rebate for new EV purchases under $60,000 MSRP
- Lower off-peak electricity rates for home charging through utilities
- No sales tax on EVs priced under $50,000
The lack of a widespread fast charging network in Delaware persists as the other main hurdle. You‘ll need to plan travel routes and charging stops carefully for out-of-town trips.
But investments are coming online to fill gaps, especially along major corridors.
All in, Delaware earns a solid "B" for current EV support. The state still has work ahead to catch America‘s top EV hubs. But for locals able to charge at home routinely, an EV can prove practical today while positioning you nicely for the all-electric future.
Now let‘s explore that landscape in more detail…
EV Charging Infrastructure in Delaware
Charge anxiety is real! Range and charging worries put many folks off from electric vehicles.
So what‘s the charging network like nowadays in Delaware, and how much is it set to improve?
There are currently around 400 public charging ports at some 190 locations statewide based on Department of Natural Resource stats. Not a massive volume yet, but a decent start focused mostly along major highways.
Here‘s a breakdown of stations by connector type:
| Connector Type | Charging Stations | Ports |
| J1772 | 161 | 333 |
| CHAdeMO | 17 | 23 |
| CCS | 11 | 43 |
| Tesla | 3 | 10 |
J1772 and CCS are the most common standards used by non-Tesla EVs today. So coverage is decent for most models, but additions needed.
Stations are concentrated around New Castle County, Kent County and Sussex County. Main gaps exist across central and western rural areas.
The good news is investments are starting to fill holes. Delaware is using $15 million in National Electric Vehicle Funding focused exclusively on alt-fuel corridors like Route 1, I-95 and Route 13.
An additional $1.3 million From the Department of Natural Resources funded 14 new fast charging ports along routes including 141, 273 and 40 slated to open in 2023.
Several private networks like Electrify America and EVgo are also adding new sites organically thanks to growing EV adoption statewide.
While the network remains a work in progress, expect to see expansion accelerate over the next few years.
Home and Public Charging Costs
Okay, so how much will you actually pay to juice up that EV in Delaware?
Home is where the savings are! Electricity averages $0.14/kWh in DE – slightly below the $0.15 national benchmark.
That‘s over 4x cheaper per mile compared to the $3.70 you‘d pay per gas gallon currently.
Here‘s a cost breakdown* for charging three popular EV models locally:
| Battery Size | Electricity Used | Home Charge Cost* | |
| 2022 Nissan Leaf | 40 kWh | 5.6 kW | $7.84 |
| 2022 Polestar 2 | 75 kWh | 10.5 kW | $14.70 |
| 2021 Ford Mustang Mach E | 98 kWh | 13.72 kW | $19.21 |
*Charging cost calculated using average DE residential rate of $0.14/kWh
Public fast charging bumps costs moderately based on current station pricing around $0.30-$0.35/kWh. But that remains far cheaper than gas.
Plugshare and Chargehub let you easily locate stations and compare costs near you.
Home charging gives you ultimate flexibility and savings though!
Electric Vehicle Incentives in Delaware
With the average EV still priced around $60,000, incentives help ease that huge initial bite. What perks exist right now for buyers in Delaware?
Fortunately, the state runs the Delaware Clean Vehicle Rebate Program offering residents:
- $2,500 rebate on new battery electric vehicles under $60,000 MSRP
- $500 rebate for plug-in hybrids with battery capacity over 10 kWh
Simply submit a copy of your registration and proof of permanent residency to qualify.
Delaware also has no sales tax on EVs under $50,000 sticker price. Saving you over $1,000 compared to gas cars.
Between state incentives and federal tax credits from $3,750 to $7,500, discounts add up!
You can pre-qualify for incentives and exactly savings for any EV model using tools like EVRebateElctr.
Utility Delaware Power also offers special lower electric rates for home charging during night hours to save you even more.
Recent Investments and Policy Support
With transport the largest contributor to carbon emissions, Delaware is ramping up investments and policy support accelerated EV adoption locally as part of its climate action plan.
Governor John Carney signed an Executive Order directing state agencies to achieve a 25% plug-in EV sedan fleet by 2025. Plus make charging available at 75% of state properties by 2030.
The state also unveiled its Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan in 2021 outlining $15 million in proposed investments to upgrade charging statewide with focus along Alt-fuel corridors.
The private sector is pitching in too. Delaware Electric Cooperative offers incentive residential charger installations discounted to $500 for members.
As earlier state grants and plans come online rapidly, expect the charging landscape particularly along highways to improve markedly helping enable longer trips.
The Verdict: Is an EV Right for You in Delaware?
The Pros:
- Incentives can lower purchase costs by $7,500+
- Electricity rates low, charging costs minimal
- Light plans to boost infrastructure, especially highways
- HOV lane access + toll/parking discounts for EVs
The Cons:
- Upfront prices remain high if incentives don‘t apply
- Charging network still needs greater density
- Rural driving range issues persist currently
If you can charge reliably at home and commute/travel locally mostly, an EV likely makes sense today. Just beware range limits on rural drives given charging gaps.
As the network builds out quickly, an EV will become realistic for more folks hoping to take longer trips routinely without charging worries.
Thanks to declining costs and improving convenience, within 5 years electric vehicles should hit the sweet spot for most Delaware drivers needs.
