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. Montana's NEVI plan, run by MDT with DEQ, prioritizes fast charging along I-90, I-15, I-94, US-2, and US-93; site selections and opening dates have not been confirmed here. Montana's vast distances, cold winters, and annual EV registration fees are the most important planning factors.
Last updated October 2026
EV Charging Snapshot
Developing- EV Adoption Rate
- 3.3%
- Public Chargers
- 158
- Top Incentive
- NEVI Formula Program (Montana), up to 80% of project costs
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EV adoption snapshot
Public chargers per 1,000 EVs
22.9
Lower ratio = more demand per existing charger
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 administer the program under Montana's NEVI deployment plan, whose site locations are tentative until MDT issues a solicitation and selects proposals. Solicitation status, contract awards, and opening dates are not confirmed here, so check MDT before planning around a specific site. | 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 Oct 2026
Net metering and solar export
Matters if you pair rooftop solar with home charging.
- Status
- full retail
- Summary
- Montana law (MCA 69-8-601 to 69-8-605) lets customers with solar, wind, or hydro systems up to 50 kW net their generation against their use on a kilowatt-hour basis. Surplus kilowatt-hours carry onto the next bill, and any credit left unused after 12 months is forfeited on the customer's annual settlement date. Customers still pay the applicable customer charges. The statute does not apply to electric cooperatives, which set their own policies.
- Source
- SourceVerified Oct 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 Oct 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 158 public charging locations as of October 2026 (AFDC), offering 219 Level 2 and 262 DC fast charging ports. Gaps are significant; traveling from Missoula to Billings (340 miles) requires careful charging planning. Montana's NEVI plan prioritizes the longest gaps along I-90, I-15, I-94, US-2, and US-93.
| Network | Stations |
|---|---|
| Tesla (incl. Destination) | 41 |
| Electrify America | 8 |
| EVgo | 0 |
| ChargePoint | 46 |
| Other networks | 63 |
| DC fast ports | 262 |
| Level 2 public ports | 219 |
Source: NREL Alternative Fuels Data Center, as of Oct 2026.
Top cities for public charging
- 1Bozeman24 stations
- 2Missoula22 stations
- 3Billings13 stations
- 4Helena10 stations
- 5Great Falls10 stations
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; site selections, contract awards, and opening dates are not confirmed. Montana imposes a $0.03 per kWh tax on electricity delivered to public EV charging stations rated above 25 kW (MCA 15-70-801 through 15-70-805); the utility collects it on its monthly bill to the station owner, and stations at or below 25 kW (and residential or HOA-owned chargers) are outside the scheme. Every public charging station must have a separate electric meter measuring the electricity delivered to it (MCA 15-70-803), at the owner's expense. 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
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