Ohio

EV Charging in Ohio -

Solar Power in Ohio-

 Ohio’s 2026 stance on commercial electric vehicle (EV) charging station projects remains largely anchored in federally supported deployment through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, with supplemental state and utility incentives. The Ohio Department of Transportation, via DriveOhio, continues to issue competitive Requests for Proposals for Level 3 fast charger portfolios that can receive federal NEVI funding covering up to 80 % of capital costs for qualifying stations, with the latest RFP open into early 2026 and awards expected in April 2026. Ohio was also the first state in the nation to activate a NEVI‑funded charging station along Interstate 70 and has plans for dozens more stations spaced roughly every 50 miles along major interstate corridors—continuing a buildout that initially saw 27 stations announced and matched with private investment.

 Complementing NEVI, statewide and utility‑level incentives help stimulate commercial station development beyond federal programs. Ohio utilities like AEP Ohio and others offer rebates and cost‑sharing for Level 2 and DC fast charging infrastructure—typically ranging from tens of thousands per station or port depending on charger level and location. Additionally, proposed Ohio legislation (e.g., Senate Bill 106) would allow electric utilities to seek Public Utilities Commission approval to own and build publicly accessible chargers in underserved “areas of last resort,” aiming to close geographic gaps where private investment alone may be insufficient. Local planning entities also leverage federal grants (like a $15 million FHWA award for Central Ohio) to expand accessible EV charging capacity with environmental and equity goals.

 At the same time, Ohio’s overall policy does not include state EV purchase tax credits or wide consumer incentives, which can temper near‑term demand growth that supports commercial charging investment; the state also imposes EV registration and road fees without offsetting incentives. While federal NEVI funding has faced administrative pauses and legal uncertainty nationally, Ohio continues to proceed with obligated federal funds and state planning for station deployment. In sum, Ohio in 2026 emphasizes federal NEVI deployment bolstered by targeted incentives and regulatory pathways over standalone state mandates, fostering a mixed public‑private environment for commercial EV charging development.

 Ohio’s approach to commercial solar projects in 2026 is shaped by a mix of regulatory requirements, financial incentives, and local constraints. The state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) mandates that 8.5 % of electricity sold by investor-owned utilities come from renewable sources by the end of 2026, with solar competing alongside wind, hydro, and other qualifying resources since the original solar-specific carve-out was eliminated. Utilities that fail to meet these benchmarks must pay compliance penalties or purchase renewable energy credits, ensuring that commercial-scale solar projects still have a role in helping meet state renewable targets.

 Commercial solar developers can take advantage of federal incentives such as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), historically covering 30 % of project costs, alongside state-level benefits like property tax exemptions for systems under 250 kW and potential payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) arrangements for larger projects. These incentives reduce upfront costs and improve project economics, while net energy metering allows commercial owners to receive bill credits for excess generation, typically calculated at avoided-cost rates rather than full retail value.

 Despite these supports, Ohio imposes limits that influence commercial solar deployment. The state lacks a formal community solar program, meaning smaller businesses and multi-tenant facilities cannot easily share solar resources. Utilities are also considering changes to net-metering compensation, which could reduce financial returns for distributed commercial projects. Local land-use opposition and permitting hurdles further shape where large-scale solar farms can be developed. Overall, Ohio encourages commercial solar growth through incentives and renewable standards, but policy gaps and economic limits continue to constrain broader adoption.