Brinx Electrical

EV charger rebates in the Tri-Cities (2026): Richland, Benton PUD and Benton REA

By the Brinx Electrical teamUpdated October 20, 2026 · 5 min read

THE SHORT ANSWER

Richland Energy Services pays $300 for a qualifying Energy Star Level 2 smart charger. Benton REA pays its members a $300 incentive after its final inspection and also offers a charger loan. Benton PUD pays $20 on a qualifying Level 2 charger. The federal tax credit for home charging equipment ended June 30, 2026, so utility rebates are what's left.

What each Tri-Cities utility pays

Your rebate depends on who sends your power bill, not which city you live in. Here's what each utility offers for a home Level 2 (240-volt) charger.

UtilityCharger rebateKey requirements
Richland Energy Services$300Homeowner. Energy Star Level 2 smart charger with scheduled charging. Licensed electrician, permit and passed L&I inspection. Charge 10 p.m.–6 a.m. Mon–Sat and all day Sunday. One per account.
Benton REA$300Member with an active account. Charger delay set to a time Benton REA chooses. Final inspection by Benton REA before payment. Loan also available.
Benton PUD$20Qualifying Energy Star Level 2 charger. Receipt, project information form and proof of Energy Star rating.

Which utility serves my home?

Check the name on your power bill.

  • Richland Energy Services serves homes inside Richland city limits.
  • Benton PUD serves much of Kennewick and Benton County.
  • Benton REA serves its member areas in Benton County.
  • Pasco is in Franklin County and served by Franklin PUD. Check Franklin PUD's current programs directly before you buy.

What Richland's $300 rebate requires

Richland Energy Services has the most detailed rules. To qualify you need to:

  1. Be a Richland Energy Services customer and own the home.
  2. Buy an Energy Star Level 2 smart charger that's on the qualified product list and can schedule charging. Chargers for hybrids don't qualify.
  3. Have it installed by a licensed electrician, with the permit and a passed L&I inspection.
  4. Set it to charge during light-load hours: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and all day Sunday.
  5. Allow an onsite check if Richland asks.

It's one rebate per account, and it can't be more than what you paid for the charger and installation.

How Benton REA's incentive works

Benton REA pays members a $300 charging station incentive. You set the charger's delay to a time Benton REA chooses (such as 10 p.m.), and Benton REA does a final inspection before paying.

If you'd rather spread out the cost, Benton REA also has a charging station loan. It has the same requirements as the incentive, and your electric service is used as collateral.

Does the federal tax credit still apply?

No. The federal credit for home EV charging equipment ended on June 30, 2026. If you're comparing old articles that mention a 30% federal credit, that money is no longer available for new installs.

Can I stack rebates?

Charger rebates come from one utility, since only one serves your home. But vehicle rebates can add to them:

  • Benton PUD pays $250 for buying or leasing a qualifying new all-electric vehicle.
  • Benton REA pays $100 if you buy an EV before your Level 2 charger is installed, $50 if after, and $25 for a plug-in hybrid.

Quick questions

Do hybrids qualify for the Richland rebate?

No. Richland's charger rebate is for all-electric vehicles.

Can the rebate be more than I paid?

No. Richland caps the rebate at the cost of the charger and installation.

Do I need a permit to get a rebate?

For Richland, yes: the L&I permit and passed inspection report are part of the application. A new 240-volt charger circuit needs a permit either way.

Is there still a federal tax credit for home chargers?

No. It ended June 30, 2026.

Sources, checked October 20, 2026

Programs and rules change, so confirm before you buy.