How to Get EV Charger Rebates in Minnesota
Updated: Aug 28, 2026
A complete guide to EV charger rebates in Minnesota, covering Xcel Energy and Connexus Energy programs, eligibility requirements, and how Twin Cities homeowners can apply.
Thinking about bringing home a new electric car? You might want to cash in on home EV charger rebates before you plug in. Local utility companies offer great incentives to help cover the cost. If you are income-qualified, those savings are even higher. That means there is real money on the table for Twin Cities homeowners making the switch to electric.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about EV charger rebates in Minnesota, including which utilities offer them, who qualifies, and how to apply.
Of course, getting the charger safely installed is just as important as getting the rebate. Loch Monster Electric is fully licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin, meaning we can handle your professional charger installation and help you with the paperwork for your rebate application.
If you’re ready for home EV charging, call us today on 763-292-1191 or fill our contact form.
Why Chasing an MN EV Rebate Is Worth Your Time
A Level 2 home charger is the best way to keep your EV fully charged overnight. This also helps protect your battery from losing power in the freezing Minnesota winter. The catch is that installing a home charger usually means adding a dedicated 240-volt circuit. That is why these rebate programs exist. A good MN EV rebate can knock a few hundred dollars off your total project cost.
Older Twin Cities homes, like classic bungalows in Minneapolis and St. Paul or split-levels in first-ring suburbs like Richfield, sometimes need more than a simple new circuit. If your panel can't handle the extra load of an EV charger, you may need a panel upgrade first. Our home EV charger guide covers the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 charging, and what your garage needs to support one.
Xcel Energy EV Charger Rebate
Xcel Energy is the biggest electric provider across most of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the nearby suburbs. So this is the rebate most Twin Cities homeowners will use. It helps offset the cost of installing a Level 2 charger and the wiring it needs.
Standard vs. Income-Qualified Amounts
- The standard rebate is up to $500 toward your charger and wiring costs
- The Income-qualified rebate is up to $1,200 for households at or below 80% of the area median income for their location
How to Qualify for the Xcel Energy EV Charger Rebate
To be eligible for this rebate:
- You must have Xcel Energy residential electric service in Minnesota.
- You have to enroll in an off-peak charging program, like Optimize Your Charge or EV Accelerate at Home.
- A licensed electrician has to install your dedicated 240-volt circuit and Level 2 charger.
- Your charger must be on Xcel's list of compatible Level 2 models.
- Your installation must have been completed after March 11, 2025
Be sure to check current dollar amounts and full terms on Xcel Energy's EV charger and wiring rebate page before you start your project, since utility rebate offers can change from year to year.
How to Apply for the Xcel Energy EV Charger Rebate
You can apply once your installation is completed. Xcel will not accept applications until after the work is finished.
Step 1: Enroll in an off-peak charging program.
Log into your online Xcel account and sign up for an eligible program like Optimize Your Charge. Xcel will confirm your enrollment before you move on to the next step.
Step 2: Gather your documents.
Once Xcel confirms your enrollment, collect your paperwork. You will need your Xcel account details and a dated, itemized invoice showing the costs for both the charger and the wiring. As your licensed electrician, Loch Monster Electric will give you a detailed invoice that meets all of Xcel's requirements.
Step 3: Submit your application.
Send your completed application and files through Xcel's residential rebate portal. After your paperwork is approved, your rebate payment will be issued in eight to ten weeks.
If you’re ready to set up a home charging outlet, check out our EV charger installation services.
Connexus Energy EV Charger Rebate
Connexus Energy serves parts of the northern and western metro, including areas near Maple Grove and Brooklyn Park. Your Level 2 charger can qualify for up to 50% of your project cost or $500, whichever is less. Plug-in hybrid chargers can also qualify for a smaller $100 rebate.
Eligibility Criteria for the Connexus EV Charger Rebate
- You must have Connexus Energy residential electric service.
- You have to enroll in an EV rate plan.
- You need a dedicated off-peak meter socket to track your EV's power use separately.
- You must submit your application, invoices, proof of EV ownership, and proof of inspection before the application deadline December 31, 2026.
How to Apply for the Connexus Rebate
Once your installation and inspection are done, submit your invoices, proof of EV ownership, and proof of inspection along with your rebate application. Check Connexus Energy's EV charger rebate page for the current application and full program terms.
Other Minnesota Utility Rebate Programs
If you're outside the Twin Cities metro, two other Minnesota utilities also offer EV charger rebates.
- Minnesota Power, which serves the Duluth area in northeastern Minnesota, offers a $500 rebate for a qualifying Level 2 charger, plus another $500 if you add a second metered service.
- Otter Tail Power, based in Fergus Falls and serving west-central Minnesota, offers a $500 rebate for a Level 2 charger installed on one of its qualified off-peak rates.
What About the Federal EV Charger Tax Credit?
You may have heard about a federal tax credit that covered 30% of your charger and installation costs. That program, called the Section 30C credit, officially expired on June 30, 2026. Because the program has ended, new installations no longer qualify for federal tax breaks.
If your installation finished before that date in an eligible low-income or non-urban census tract, you may still be able to claim the credit on your taxes using IRS Form 8911.
What Your EV Charger Rebate Actually Covers
A rebate helps, but it usually won't cover your whole project. Your total installation cost depends on things like the distance from your panel to your garage, whether you need a panel upgrade, and local permit fees, which vary by city across the metro.
If your home needs more electrical capacity, Xcel Energy and other Minnesota utilities also offer separate rebates worth up to $1,500 or more for panel upgrades. Our panel upgrade rebates guide covers those programs in detail, so you can budget accurately before your rebate arrives.
Ready to Install and Claim Your EV Charger Rebate?
Getting a rebate starts with a proper installation, done by a licensed electrician who documents everything the utility needs to see. Our team handles the wiring, the permits, and the paperwork. That way, your rebate application won't hold up your project.
Whether you're in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Woodbury, or anywhere else across the metro, Loch Monster Electric can get your home ready for reliable overnight charging. And we'll help make sure you don't miss out on the rebate money you deserve. Call us at 763-292-1191 to get started today!
Frequently Asked Questions
For Xcel Energy's rebate, yes. Your charger needs to be on Xcel's list of compatible Level 2 models. So it's worth checking that your charger qualifies before you buy it. Other utilities, like Connexus, mainly require a qualifying Level 2 (240-volt) charger with a meter socket, rather than a specific brand list. Either way, it's smart to double-check with your provider before you buy.
Utility rebate programs, including Xcel's, require proof that a licensed electrician did the wiring. Minnesota law does let homeowners pull their own DIY electrical permit for their own home. But skipping a licensed electrician can put your rebate, and your homeowner's insurance coverage, at risk if something goes wrong.
Most Minnesota utility programs, including Xcel and Connexus, say to expect your rebate check or bill credit within six to ten weeks after your application and paperwork are approved.
Yes, but you'll need written permission from your property owner or landlord before any wiring work starts. You'll usually need to submit that permission along with your rebate application.
No. The federal 30C tax credit expired for any charger installed after June 30, 2026. If your installation was fully finished and working on or before that date in an eligible census tract, you may still be able to claim it on your taxes using IRS Form 8911. New installations no longer qualify. That means Minnesota's utility rebates are now the main incentive for charger installation costs.
Not right now. Minnesota's Department of Commerce did offer a rebate for buying or leasing an EV, up to $2,500 for a new vehicle or $600 for a used one. All of that program's funding has been claimed, and the Department of Commerce is no longer accepting new applications. The utility charger rebates covered in this guide are still active and separate from that program.
Many smaller local utilities and electric co-ops across Minnesota run their own EV charger rebates too, often in the $150 to $800 range. Check your provider's website, or call their customer service line, to see what's offered in your area right now.
