Alternative Fuel Stations in Charleston, SC

Tax incentives and/or other rebates, credits, incentives or related initiaves for drivers of alternative fuel vehicles or for other uses of alternative fuel in Charleston, SC.

Propane Safety and Liability

An individual involved in installing propane systems or manufacturing, distributing, selling, storing, or transporting propane is immune from the civil liability associated with injury or damage associated with these activities, as long as the individual was exercising reasonable care and took steps to warn the end user of the misuses of the propane system.

(Reference South Carolina Code of Laws 15-3-690, 40-82, and 40-82-270)

Low-Speed Vehicle Access to Roadways

A low-speed vehicle is defined as a four-wheeled motor vehicle, other than an all-terrain vehicle, that is capable of reaching speeds of at least 20 miles per hour (mph) but not greater than 25 mph, has a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 3,000 pounds, and meets the safety standards in Title 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, section 571.500. A low-speed vehicle may only operate on secondary highways with a posted speed limit of up to 35 mph but may cross a highway with posted speed limits over 35 mph at an intersection. A low-speed vehicle must be registered and licensed in the same manner as a passenger vehicle and is subject to the same insurance requirements applicable to other motor vehicles. Homemade low-speed vehicles, retrofitted golf carts, or any other similar vehicles do not qualify as low-speed vehicles.

(Reference South Carolina Code of Laws 56-1-10, 56-2-100 to 56-2-130, and 56-5-820)

Alternative Fueling Infrastructure Tax Credit

An income tax credit is available for 25% of the cost to purchase, construct, and install qualified alternative fueling infrastructure. Qualified infrastructure includes equipment used to distribute, dispense, or store alternative fuel. Eligible fuels include natural gas and propane. The entire credit must be taken in three equal annual installments beginning with the taxable year in which the facility is placed into service. Unused credits may be carried forward for up to ten succeeding taxable years. A taxpayer may transfer the tax credit to eligible agencies after notifying the South Carolina Department of Revenue. This tax credit expires January 1, 2026.

(Reference South Carolina Code of Laws 12-28-110, 12-37-2820, and 12-6-3695)

Idle Reduction and Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Weight Exemptions

Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with idle reduction technology is allowed to exceed the maximum gross vehicle and axle weight limits by up to 550 pounds (lbs) to compensate for the added weight of the idle reduction technology. The vehicle operator must provide documentation that the vehicle is equipped with fully functional idle reduction technology.

A vehicle powered primarily by natural gas may exceed the state’s gross, single axle, tandem axle, or bridge formula weight limits by an amount equal to the difference of the weight of the natural gas tank and fueling system and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system, up to 2,000 lbs. Upon request, the vehicle operator must provide documentation that verifies the weight of the natural gas fueling system.

(Reference South Carolina Code of Laws 56-5-4160(M) and South Carolina Code of Laws 56-5-4160(L)))

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Fee

Owners of plug-in electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles must pay a biennial fee of $120, in addition to standard registration fees. Hybrid electric vehicle owners must pay a biennial fee of $60.

(Reference South Carolina Code of Laws 56-3-645 and 12-28-110(39))

Residential Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Rebate - Santee Cooper

Santee Cooper offers residential customers a rebate of up to $250 for the purchase of a qualified Level 2 EV charging station. For more information, see the Santee Cooper EVs website.

Electric Transportation Stakeholder Group

The South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) must engage stakeholders to explore opportunities to advance transportation electrification and identify potential challenges. Regulatory staff must work with private and public sector stakeholders to examine the legislative and regulatory environmental, economic, and customer challenges and opportunities. ORS must submit a report on opportunities to advance transportation electrification to the Joint Committee on the Electrification of Transportation on a bi-annual basis.

(Reference South Carolina Code of Laws 58-27-270)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Support

South Carolina utilities joined the National Electric Highway Coalition (NEHC), committing to create a network of direct current fast charging (DCFC) stations connecting major highway systems from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific of the United States. NEHC utility members agree to ensure efficient and effective fast charging deployment plans that enable long distance EV travel, avoiding duplication among coalition utilities, and complement existing corridor DCFC sites. For more information, including a list of participating utilities and states, see the NEHC website.