Because the electrical car (EV) market grows into the mainstream, many questions stay for folks interested by EV possession and upkeep. Some lingering questions could be about inspections. Are electrical car inspections the identical as these for gas-powered automobiles? Do states require EV inspections or further charges for registration?
Many automobile house owners are conversant in visiting an inspection station yearly or each different yr. Testing a car’s emissions is a prerequisite to renewing the automobile’s registration in lots of areas. However regardless that a battery-powered automobile doesn’t generate tailpipe emissions, an EV would possibly nonetheless must move a security inspection.
Proceed studying to study inspections for electrical car repairs, testing required for EV registration in some areas, and extra charges some states impose on EVs.
Use our jump-ahead hyperlinks beneath to skip to the necessities in your space.
Do Electrical Automobiles Want Smog Checks?
The EPA regulates autos to scale back air pollution from their engines. Every state has necessities for which automobiles want smog inspections. Nevertheless, cars powered solely by electrical energy produce no tailpipe emissions and are exempt from a state’s motorized vehicle emissions testing.
Hybrids (HEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) generate air pollution from their combustion engines. Due to this fact, they’re topic to emissions inspections in places that require smog testing.
Advisable Inspections for Used Electrical Automobiles
Each used automobile shopper ought to examine for remembers and reap the benefits of a pre-purchase inspection to examine the situation of their potential new journey. It doesn’t matter what sort of propulsion system the car makes use of, a certified mechanic from a restore store or dealership will help consider its total situation, establish any issues, and assess the automobile’s roadworthiness.
Have the technician check the situation of a used EV’s battery pack earlier than you’re taking possession. Batteries degrade over time, so house owners ought to observe good EV battery upkeep to maximise their life. Make sure your pre-purchase inspection appears on the battery capability and evaluates whether or not the degradation is within the regular vary for the car’s age.
When you personal an EV, observe the producer’s upkeep suggestions. Repairs is a vital a part of automobile possession. At a minimal, make a fast visible inspection of the automobile’s security {hardware} a part of your day by day driving routine.
- Be sure that headlights, taillights, and switch indicators are operational
- Substitute worn windshield wipers and replenish washer fluid
- Examine EV tires for uneven or extreme tread put on
What’s Included in Electrical Automobile Inspections?
Not each state requires security inspections for electrical automobiles, and every state might have totally different necessities for what determines car roadworthiness. A typical security inspection examines tire put on, wheel lug nuts, headlights, brakes, brake lights, glass and mirrors, windshield wipers, door locks and latches, and seat belts.
HEVs and PHEVs want smog checks in states requiring these inspections.
State inspections might enable house owners 10 to 30 days to make repairs or set up replacements if any important security options don’t meet requirements.
State EV Inspections and Registration Charges
Some EV house owners boast of saving cash on gasoline and decrease car upkeep prices. Nevertheless, these house owners could be required to pay greater auto registration prices than drivers with gas-powered automobiles.
A number of states assess supplemental charges to register electrified autos. The extra registration charge helps the state make up for misplaced income from gasoline taxes collected on the pump. In some states, a portion of EV registration charges helps fund charging infrastructure packages.
See beneath for a state-by-state itemizing of electrical car inspection necessities and extra EV registration charges.
Alabama
Alabama doesn’t require security inspections for electrical autos within the state. Residents with all-electric autos pay $203 yearly, whereas house owners of plug-in hybrids have a $103 charge. A portion of the annual charges contribute to the Electrical Transportation Grant Program for EV charging stations. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
Alaska
Alaska doesn’t require security inspections for electrical autos. The state doesn’t cost further charges to register EVs.
Arizona
Arizona doesn’t require security inspections for electrical autos. EV drivers pay the identical car license tax as drivers of different cars.
Arkansas
Arkansas doesn’t require security inspections for electrical autos. EV and hybrid drivers within the state should pay an annual charge together with different registration prices. All-electric car house owners should pay $200. The charge is $100 for plug-in hybrids and $50 for HEVs.
California
California doesn’t require security inspections for EVs. For zero-emission autos mannequin yr 2020, and later, there’s a further registration renewal charge of $118. This Highway Enchancment Charge will not be assessed on the preliminary registration of a newly bought absolutely electrical car from a licensed seller. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
Colorado
Colorado doesn’t require security inspections for electrical autos. EV house owners should pay a further $57.19 on prime of registration charges. Electrical Motor Automobile Highway Utilization charges additionally apply. In 2025, the speed is $12 for battery electrical automobiles and $8 for PHEVs. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
Connecticut
Connecticut doesn’t require security inspections for electrical autos. EVs within the state are eligible for a $55 decreased registration charge. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
Delaware
Electrical autos in Delaware are topic to security inspections to make sure their tools is in working situation. The state doesn’t cost further charges to register EVs.
District of Columbia
Washington, D.C., doesn’t require security inspections for electrical autos. The district applies a $36 low cost on the primary two years of a brand new EV’s registration.
Florida
Florida doesn’t require security inspections for electrical autos. The state doesn’t cost further charges to register EVs. A VIN inspection could also be required when registering an out-of-state car in Florida.
Georgia
Georgia doesn’t require security inspections for EVs. The annual registration charge for non-commercial absolutely electrical autos is $219.84.
Hawaii
Electrical autos in Hawaii are topic to a security inspection to make sure roadworthiness. EV house owners should pay a $50 registration surcharge. Starting July 1, 2025, these house owners can select between paying the flat surcharge or a street utilization charge of $8 per 1,000 miles.
Idaho
Idaho doesn’t require security inspections for EVs. Totally electrical autos are topic to a further annual charge of $140. The surcharge for plug-in hybrids is $75. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
Illinois
Illinois doesn’t require security inspections for EVs. The state assesses a further $100 for absolutely electrical car registration in lieu of paying gasoline taxes. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
Indiana
Indiana doesn’t require security inspections for EVs. House owners of absolutely electrical autos pay a supplemental $221 charge for registration. The charge for hybrids is $74. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
Iowa
Iowa doesn’t require security inspections for EVs. Totally electrical autos are topic to a $130 supplemental annual registration charge to register. Hybrid house owners have a further $65 registration charge.
Kansas
Kansas doesn’t require security inspections for EVs. The annual registration charge is $100 for absolutely electrical automobiles and $50 for hybrids. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
Kentucky
Kentucky doesn’t require security inspections for electrical autos. Along with customary registration charges, EV house owners should pay an annual possession charge of $120. The supplemental charge for hybrids and electrical bikes is $60. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
Louisiana
Electrical autos in Louisiana are topic to pre-registration security inspection. The state imposes a further $110 annual charge for EVs and a $60 charge for hybrid autos.
Maine
Electrical autos in Maine are topic to a security inspection to make sure roadworthiness. The state doesn’t cost further charges to register EVs.
Maryland
Maryland requires security inspections earlier than the sale or switch of used EVs. Beginning July 1, 2025, zero-emission autos may have a registration surcharge of $125, and plug-in hybrids may have a $100 supplemental registration charge. The state doesn’t cost further charges to register EVs.
Massachusetts
Electrical autos in Massachusetts require pre-registration security inspections. The state doesn’t cost further charges to register EVs.
Michigan
Michigan doesn’t require security inspections for EVs. Totally electrical autos and hybrids as much as 8,000 kilos have further annual registration charges of $155 and $57, respectively.
Minnesota
Minnesota doesn’t require security inspections for EVs. The state fees a further $75 charge for registering a totally electrical car.
Mississippi
Mississippi doesn’t require security inspections for EVs. Electrical car house owners should pay a further $150 for registration. The extra charge for hybrids is $75.
Missouri
EVs in Missouri require pre-registration security inspections. Along with registration prices, absolutely electrical autos have a $105 annual particular gasoline decal charge. The decal charge for plug-in hybrids is $52.50. Each of those decals require a $6 processing charge. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
Montana
Montana doesn’t require security inspections for electrical autos. Along with customary registration charges, EVs and PHEVs weighing lower than 6,000 kilos have supplemental charges of $130 and $70, respectively.
Nebraska
Nebraska doesn’t require security inspections for EVs. Electrical autos and hybrids have a $75 various gasoline charge on prime of annual registration prices. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
Nevada
Nevada doesn’t require security inspections for electrical autos. The state doesn’t impose further charges for registering EVs. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
New Hampshire
EVs in New Hampshire require pre-registration security inspections. Along with customary car registration charges, EV house owners pay a supplemental $100, and PHEV house owners have a $50 surcharge.
New Jersey
Security inspections aren’t required for electrical autos in New Jersey. Along with customary registration charges, EV house owners should pay an annual $250 street tax charge. The annual charge will increase by $10 for 4 years.
New Mexico
Security inspections aren’t required for electrical autos in New Mexico. The state doesn’t cost further charges to register EVs. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
New York
EVs in New York require pre-registration security inspections. The state doesn’t cost further charges to register EVs.
North Carolina
Electrical autos in North Carolina are topic to pre-registration security inspections. Along with customary car registration charges, EV house owners pay a further $214.50, and PHEV house owners have a $107.25 complement.
North Dakota
North Dakota doesn’t require security inspections for EVs. Electrical car house owners pay a further $120 car registration charge, and PHEV house owners have a $50 surcharge. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
Ohio
Ohio doesn’t require security inspections for EVs. Along with different registration charges, absolutely electrical automobile house owners should pay a $200 surcharge to register their car. House owners of PHEVs and hybrids have supplemental charges of $150 and $100, respectively. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma doesn’t require security inspections for EVs. There’s a $110 registration surcharge for EVs weighing 6,000 or much less. The supplemental charge for PHEVs is $82. The extra charge for EVs and PHEVs weighing 6,001 to 10,000 kilos is $158 and $118, respectively. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
Oregon
Oregon doesn’t require security inspections for EVs. Whereas further charges might apply, the usual registration charge for a totally electrical car is $316; that’s $160 greater than a gas-powered automobile with a gasoline effectivity score of 40 mpg or extra. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
Pennsylvania
Electrical autos in Pennsylvania are topic to pre-registration security inspections. Beginning in 2025, EV house owners may have a $200 surcharge with their annual registration. The supplemental charge will enhance in following years. The extra charge for PHEVs is 25% of the quantity assessed for absolutely electrical automobiles. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
Rhode Island
Electrical autos in Rhode Island are topic to pre-registration security inspections. The state doesn’t have any further charges for EV automobile registration. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
South Carolina
South Carolina doesn’t require security inspections for EVs. The state requires electrical car house owners to pay $120 on prime of registration charges. Hybrid autos incur a further $60 for registration. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
South Dakota
South Dakota doesn’t require security inspections for EVs. Electrical car house owners should pay a further $50 for registration.
Tennessee
Tennessee doesn’t require security inspections for electrical autos. The state requires house owners to pay a further $200 yearly to register an EV.
Texas
Electrical autos in Texas are topic to pre-registration security inspections. Along with customary registration charges, new EV house owners pay $400 for the primary two years of registration. After that, the annual registration charge surcharge is $200.
Utah
Utah doesn’t require security inspections for electrical autos. The state requires house owners of other gasoline autos to pay a further charge throughout annual car registration. The supplemental charge for EVs is $138.50. Plug-in hybrids incur a further $60.25, whereas customary hybrid house owners have a $23.25 surcharge.
Vermont
Electrical autos in Vermont are topic to pre-registration security inspections. There isn’t a further charge for EV registration within the state. Starting in 2025, EV house owners in Vermont can pay an infrastructure charge of $89 for one yr or $163 for 2 years, along with the usual registration charges. The supplemental charge for PHEVs is $44.50 for one yr or $81.50 for 2 years. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.
Virginia
EVs in Virginia are topic to pre-registration security inspections. Along with the usual registration charge, EV house owners pay a supplemental freeway use charge of $128.14.
Washington
Washington doesn’t require security inspections for electrical autos. The state assesses a further $150 charge when registering an EV.
West Virginia
Electrical autos in West Virginia are topic to pre-registration security inspections. The state requires a further $200 registration charge for EVs and $100 for hybrids.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin doesn’t require security inspections for electrical autos. The state assesses a further $175 charge when registering an EV and $75 for hybrids.
Wyoming
Wyoming doesn’t require security inspections for electrical autos. The state has an annual EV decal charge of $200. A VIN inspection could also be required to substantiate possession earlier than registration.