What EV charging incentives exist in New York City
We re-read Con Edison's SmartCharge New York page on October 3, 2026. The other two cards come from Con Edison's PowerReady page and the IRS, both read in late September 2026. Sources are at the bottom of the page.
SmartCharge New York
About $400 a year on average. 10 cents per kWh for charging midnight to 8 a.m., a $25 bonus after 3 months, and $35 summer bonuses for avoiding weekday 2 to 6 p.m. charging.
Con Edison PowerReady (Level 2)
Stopped taking new Level 2 applications on April 22, 2026.
Federal 30C charger credit
Only for chargers placed in service by June 30, 2026.
Working it out
Say you charge 250 kWh a month, all after midnight. At 10 cents per kWh that is $25 a month, or $300 a year, plus the $25 bonus after 3 months. Skip weekday afternoon charging from June through September and the $35 summer bonuses add up on top. Con Edison says participants earn $400 a year on average.
How SmartCharge New York works
You enroll your car or your smart charger. Charging data then comes in automatically from the car's own connection or from the charger. Con Edison pays you for kilowatt-hours you charge between midnight and 8 a.m., every day of the year. Summer is the other big chance to earn: from June 1 to September 30, you get $35 for each month you avoid charging on weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., plus a bonus for the whole summer.
Con Edison lists many compatible brands, including Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Tesla, Toyota and Volkswagen models. There is also a $25 refer-a-friend reward. One catch: the incentives only go to customers on a standard rate. If you are on Con Edison's time-of-use rate, you cannot earn them.
A charger in a city of apartments
New York City is mostly renters in multi-unit buildings. The US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2020 to 2024) counts about 3.68 million homes in the city. Only 9% are single detached houses, and about two out of three households rent. So most New Yorkers who drive electric cannot just put a charger on a garage wall.
The good news is that SmartCharge does not need a home charger. Because it can read charging data from the car itself, a driver who charges overnight at a building garage or any Level 2 station in the service area may still earn. Check the eligibility list for your car before you count on it.
If you do own a house or a garage spot
For the 9% of homes that are detached houses, plus row houses and two-family homes with a driveway, a Level 2 charger is very doable. Without a rebate, the cost is the charger plus the electrician's work. Con Edison reminds customers that a licensed contractor must file the electrical upgrade for a Level 2 charger. Old wiring is common here: about 38% of the city's homes were built in 1939 or earlier, per the same Census survey. Get the panel checked before you buy the charger.
Picking a charger? Choose one that SmartCharge supports, so you have a backup way to report charging if your car's connection drops.
What about time-of-use rates?
Con Edison also offers a time-of-use rate, where the price depends on the hour. You cannot be on it and earn SmartCharge rewards at the same time. Which is better depends on your whole household's use, not just the car. If you run the air conditioning hard on summer afternoons, time-of-use may cost you more. Ask Con Edison for a rate comparison using your own past bills before you switch.
How to start earning in New York City
- Check that your car or charger is on Con Edison's SmartCharge compatibility list.
- Make sure you are on a standard Con Edison rate, not time-of-use.
- Enroll on coned.com or scny.ev.energy, the only two sites Con Edison says are real. It will never ask for card details by text or QR code.
- Set your car or charger to start charging after midnight.
- Avoid weekday 2 to 6 p.m. charging from June to September for the summer bonuses.
Common questions
Does Con Edison give a rebate on a home EV charger?
No. Con Edison says SmartCharge New York has no hardware rebate. It pays for when you charge, not for the equipment.
Can I still get the federal EV charger tax credit?
Only if your charger was placed in service by June 30, 2026, according to the IRS. Chargers installed after that do not qualify.
Is PowerReady still open?
Not for new Level 2 projects. Con Edison stopped taking new Level 2 applications on April 22, 2026.
Do I need a home charger for SmartCharge?
No. Many cars report charging data directly. If yours is on the compatible list, you can earn from charging elsewhere in the service area.
Does SmartCharge cover Westchester too?
Yes. Con Edison says you can take part if you charge in New York City or Westchester.
What to do next
Enroll your car in SmartCharge this month so the 3-month bonus clock starts. If you are also thinking about switching your heat, see our New York City heat pump guide, and for every Con Edison offer, the New York City rebate hub.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read October 3, 2026: Con Edison: SmartCharge New York, Con Edison: PowerReady program, IRS: Alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit, US Census Bureau ACS table B25024, units in structure. All New York City rebates → Every Con Edison rebate →