Electrical Automobile Inspections: What You Have to Know

Because the electric vehicle (EV) market grows into the mainstream, many questions stay from folks interested by EV possession and upkeep. Some lingering questions is perhaps about inspections. Are electrical automobile inspections the identical as these for gas-powered vehicles? Do states require EV inspections or further charges for registration?

Many automobile homeowners are conversant in visiting an inspection station yearly or each different 12 months. Testing a automobile’s emissions is a prerequisite to renewing the automobile’s registration in lots of areas. However despite the fact that a battery-powered automobile doesn’t generate tailpipe emissions, an EV may nonetheless must cross a security inspection.

Proceed studying to find out about inspections for electrical automobile repairs, testing required for EV registration in some areas, and extra charges some states impose on EVs.

Use our jump-ahead links below to skip to the requirements for your area.

Do Electric Cars Need Smog Checks?

The EPA regulates vehicles to reduce air pollutants from their engines. Each state has requirements for which cars need smog inspections. However, automobiles powered exclusively by electricity produce no tailpipe emissions and are exempt from a state’s motor vehicle emissions testing.

Hybrids (HEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) do generate air pollution from their combustion engines. Subsequently, HEVs and PHEVs are topic to emissions inspections in places that require smog testing.

Really helpful Inspections for Electrical Vehicles

Each used automobile shopper ought to examine for recalls and make the most of a pre-purchase inspection to examine the situation of their potential new journey. It doesn’t matter what sort of propulsion system the automobile makes use of, a certified mechanic from a repair shop or dealership may help consider its general situation, determine any issues, and assess the automobile’s roadworthiness.

Have the technician check a used EV’s battery pack situation earlier than you are taking possession. Batteries degrade over time, so homeowners ought to apply good EV battery upkeep to maximise its life. Make certain your pre-purchase inspection appears on the battery capability and evaluates if the degradation is within the regular vary for the age of the automobile.

When you personal an EV, observe the producer’s maintenance recommendations. A vital a part of automobile possession is repairs. At a minimal, make a fast visible inspection of the automobile’s security {hardware} a part of your every day driving routine.

• Be certain 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 vehicles, and every state could have totally different necessities for what determines automobile roadworthiness. A typical security inspection examines tire wear, wheel lug nuts, headlights, brakes, brake lights, glass and mirrors, windshield wipers, door locks and latches, and seat belts.

HEVs and PHEVs want smog exams in states requiring these inspections.

State inspections could enable homeowners 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 homeowners boast of saving cash on gasoline and decrease vehicle maintenance prices. Nonetheless, these homeowners is perhaps required to pay larger auto registration prices than drivers with gas-powered cars.

A number of states assess supplemental charges to register electrified automobiles. The extra registration price 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 applications.

See under for a state-by-state itemizing of electrical automobile inspection necessities and extra EV registration charges.

Alabama

Alabama does not require safety inspections for electric vehicles in the state. Residents with all-electric vehicles pay $200 annually, while owners of plug-in hybrids have a $100 fee. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

Alaska

Alaska does not require safety inspections for electric vehicles. The state does not charge additional fees to register EVs.

Arizona

Alaska does not require safety inspections for electric vehicles. EV drivers pay the same vehicle license tax as drivers of other automobiles.

Arkansas

Arkansas does not require safety inspections for electric vehicles. EV and hybrid drivers in the state must pay an annual fee along with other registration costs. All-electric vehicle owners must pay $200. The fee is $100 for plug-in hybrids and $50 for HEVs.

California

California does not require safety inspections for EVs. Zero-emission vehicles model year 2020 and later have an additional registration renewal fee of $102. This Road Improvement Fee is not assessed on the initial registration of a newly purchased fully electric vehicle from a licensed dealer. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

Colorado

Colorado does not require safety inspections for electric vehicles. EV owners must pay an additional $50 on top of registration fees. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

Connecticut

Connecticut does not require safety inspections for electric vehicles. EVs in the state are eligible for a $55 reduced registration fee. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

Delaware

Electric vehicles in Delaware are subject to a safety inspection to ensure equipment is in working condition. The state does not charge additional fees to register EVs.

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., does not require safety inspections for electric vehicles. The District does not charge additional fees to register EVs.

Florida

Florida does not require safety inspections for electric vehicles. The state does not charge additional fees to register EVs. A VIN inspection may be required when bringing an out-of-state vehicle to register in Florida.

Georgia

Georgia does not require safety inspections for EVs. Fully electric vehicles have an additional registration fee of $210.96 for non-commercial vehicles.

Hawaii

Electric vehicles in Hawaii are subject to a safety inspection to ensure roadworthiness. EV owners must pay a $50 registration surcharge.

Idaho

Idaho does not require safety inspections for EVs. Fully electric vehicles are subject to an additional annual fee of $140. The fee for plug-in hybrids is $75. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

Illinois

Illinois does not require safety inspections for EVs. Fully electric vehicle owners must pay an additional $100 for registration. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

Indiana

Indiana does not require safety inspections for EVs. Owners of fully electric vehicles pay a supplemental $150 fee for registration. The fee for hybrids is $50. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

Iowa

Iowa does not require safety inspections for EVs. Fully electric vehicles are subject to a $130 supplemental annual registration fee to register. Hybrid owners have an additional $65 registration fee.

Kansas

Kansas does not require safety inspections for EVs. A fully electric vehicle’s total annual registration fee is $100, and $50 for hybrids. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

Kentucky

Kentucky does not require safety inspections for electric vehicles. In addition to standard registration fees, EV owners must pay an annual fee of $120. The supplemental fee for hybrids and electric motorcycles is $60. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

Louisiana

Electric vehicles in Louisiana are subject to pre-registration safety inspection. The state imposes a $110 additional annual fee for EVs and a $60 fee for hybrid vehicles.

Maine

Electric vehicles in Maine are subject to a safety inspection to ensure roadworthiness. The state does not charge additional fees to register EVs.

Maryland

Maryland requires safety inspections before the sale or transfer of used EVs. The state does not charge additional fees to register EVs.

Massachusetts

Electric vehicles in Massachusetts require pre-registration safety inspections. The state does not charge additional fees to register EVs.

Michigan

Michigan does not require safety inspections for EVs. Fully electric vehicles and hybrids up to 8,000 pounds have additional annual registration fees of $135 and $47.50, respectively.

Minnesota

Minnesota does not require safety inspections for EVs. The state charges an additional $75 fee for registering a fully electric vehicle.

Mississippi

Mississippi does not require safety inspections for EVs. Electric vehicle owners must pay an additional $150 for registration. The additional fee for hybrids is $75.

Missouri

EVs in Missouri require pre-registration safety inspections. Fully electric vehicles have a $75 annual fuel decal fee in addition to registration costs. The decal fee for plug-in hybrids is $37.50. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

Montana

Montana does not require safety inspections for electric vehicles. The state does not charge additional fees to register EVs.

Nebraska

Nebraska does not require safety inspections for EVs. Electric vehicles and hybrids have an additional $75 fee on top of annual registration costs. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

Nevada

Nevada does not require safety inspections for electric vehicles. The state does not impose additional fees for registering EVs. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

New Hampshire

EVs in New Hampshire require pre-registration safety inspections. Registering an EV or hybrid in the state does not require additional fees.

New Jersey

Safety inspections are not required for electric vehicles in New Jersey. The state does not charge additional fees to register EVs.

New Mexico

Safety inspections are not required for electric vehicles in New Mexico. The state does not charge additional fees to register EVs. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

New York

EVs in New York require pre-registration safety inspections. The state does not charge additional fees to register EVs.

North Carolina

Electric vehicles in North Carolina are subject to pre-registration safety inspections. EV owners pay an additional $140.25 vehicle registration fee.

North Dakota

North Dakota does not require safety inspections for EVs. Electric vehicle owners pay an additional $120 vehicle registration fee. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

Ohio

Ohio does not require safety inspections for EVs. In addition to other registration fees, fully electric car owners must pay $200 more to register their car. Hybrid vehicles must pay an additional $100 registration fee. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma does not require safety inspections for EVs. There is an additional registration fee for EV owners based on the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). EVs that weigh 6,000 pounds and less pay $100. The additional fee for EVs up to 10,000 pounds is $158. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

Oregon

Oregon does not require safety inspections for EVs. The total annual registration fee for a fully electric vehicle is $316. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

Pennsylvania

Electric vehicles in Pennsylvania are subject to pre-registration safety inspections. The state does not charge additional fees to register EVs. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

Rhode Island

Electric vehicles in Rhode Island are subject to pre-registration safety inspections. The state does not have any additional fees for EV car registration. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

South Carolina

South Carolina does not require safety inspections for EVs. The state requires electric vehicle owners to pay $120 on top of registration fees. Hybrid vehicles incur an additional $60 for registration. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

South Dakota

South Dakota does not require safety inspections for EVs. Electric vehicle owners must pay an additional $50 for registration.

Tennessee

Tennessee does not require safety inspections for electric vehicles. The state requires owners to pay an additional $100 annually to register an EV.

Texas

Electric vehicles in Texas are subject to pre-registration safety inspections. There is no additional fee for EV registration in the state.

Utah

Utah does not require safety inspections for electric vehicles. The state requires owners of alternative fuel vehicles to pay an additional fee during annual vehicle registration. The supplemental fee for EVs is $123. Plug-in hybrids incur an additional $53.25, while standard hybrid owners have a $20.50 fee.

Vermont

Electric vehicles in Vermont are subject to pre-registration safety inspections. There is no additional fee for EV registration in the state. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

Virginia

EVs in Virginia are subject to pre-registration safety inspections. The fee to register an electric vehicle in the state is $116.49.

Washington

Washington does not require safety inspections for electric vehicles. The state assesses an additional $150 fee when registering an EV.

West Virginia

Electric vehicles in West Virginia are subject to pre-registration safety inspections. The state requires an additional $200 registration fee for EVs and $100 for hybrids.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin does not require safety inspections for electric vehicles. The state assesses an additional $100 fee when registering an EV and $75 for hybrids.

Wyoming

Wyoming does not require safety inspections for electric vehicles. The state has an annual EV decal fee of $200. A VIN inspection may be required to confirm ownership before registration.

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