Wake County EV Charging Guide: Permits and Utilities Around Wake Forest
Updated 2026-10-17 · Wake Forest, NC
- 95,032
- Electric & hybrid vehicles
- 417
- Public charging locations
- 9
- Permit offices listed
Wake County at a glance
Wake County has 95,032 registered electric and hybrid vehicles, 10.5% of all registrations, up 245% since 2020 (NCACC from NCDOT data, July 2026). These counts include standard hybrids, so the number of plug-in EVs is lower. The county has about 417 public charging locations (AFDC, October 2026).
Raleigh has about 209 of them and Cary about 80, including three Tesla Superchargers. Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina have Level 2 stations but no public DC fast charging yet, so home charging matters more there.
Who permits your address
Most Wake towns run their own inspections. Wake County Permits & Inspections covers unincorporated areas and, by contract, inspects for Knightdale, Rolesville, Wendell and Zebulon: residents of those towns apply through the town and the county inspects. If your mailing address names a town but you're outside its limits, the county permits your home.
| Town | Permit office | Electrical permit | Apply and track | Inspections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | City Planning & Development | $124 Minimum trade fee (FY27); residential EV chargers have their own submittal checklist Reinspection $122 | Permit and Development Portal | Through the portal; 919-996-2500 |
| Cary | Town Inspections & Permits | $100 Minimum per trade (EVSE guide, Sept 2025); a mechanical permit is added if ventilation is needed | Permits & inspections | EV equipment can go on the quick track, typically about 1 business day |
| Apex | Building Inspections & Permitting | $75 Reinspection $100 | MyServices (from Nov 2, 2026) | Request by 3 pm for the next business day |
| Holly Springs | Development Services | $75 Plus a 4% technology fee (FY27) Reinspection $100 | CityView portal | Portal requests are scheduled for the next day |
| Fuquay-Varina | Inspections Department | $100 FY 2026-27 fee ordinance Reinspection $75 | E-Permits Online | Request by 3 pm for the next business day |
| Wake Forest | Town Inspections | $80 Reinspection $80 | eSuite permits | Call 919-435-9531 by 3 pm for the next working day |
| Garner | Town Inspections | Not published FY27 fee not published online; call 919-773-4433 | SmartGov | 24 hours' notice through the portal; no same-day inspections |
| Morrisville | Town Inspections | $80 Per trade (FY27); double fee for work started without a permit Reinspection $80 | e-Permits | 919-463-6190, weekdays 8–5 |
| Unincorporated Wake, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wendell, Zebulon | Wake County Permits & Inspections | $75 Single trade permit; contract towns apply through the town first Reinspection $100 | Wake County permits | 919-856-6222 |
A Level 2 charger is a single electrical trade permit in every office listed. Fees change each July with town budgets, so confirm before you apply. More on Wake Forest permits.
Which electric company serves you
| Electric company | Where | EV rate or credit |
|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy Progress | Most of the county, including Raleigh | Charger Prep Credit up to $1,117; EV Overnight Advantage rate (half price 11 pm–5 am) |
| Duke Energy Carolinas | Some western Wake areas, such as parts of Cary and Morrisville | Same credit and EV rate as Duke Energy Progress |
| Wake Electric (co-op) | Northern and eastern Wake, outside most town limits | EV rate: 8.0¢/kWh 10 pm–6 am; no charger rebate |
| Apex Electric (town-owned) | Inside Apex town limits | No EV rebate; not eligible for Duke's credit |
| Wake Forest Power (town-owned) | Older parts of Wake Forest | No EV rebate; not eligible for Duke's credit |
Your bill says which one you have. Only Duke Energy customers can claim the Duke Charger Prep Credit; town-owned utilities and co-ops have their own programs or none.
Before you hire an electrician
- Check the electrician's license with the NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. How to check.
- Make sure the quote includes the permit and inspection for your town or the county.
- In a townhome or HOA community, get written approval before work starts.
- Ask for an itemized invoice (materials, labor and permit on separate lines). Duke requires it for its credit.
Town sources
Sources
- NC Office of State Fire Marshal: State Electrical Code (2023 code on indefinite delay)
- NC OSFM: 2020 NC Electrical Code amendments (dwellings stay on the 2017 code, PDF)
- NC General Assembly: Session Law 2025-2 (PDF)
- NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors
- NC General Statutes § 87-43.1: Exemptions (owner's own property)
- 21 NCAC 18B .0303: License limits by class (PDF)
- U.S. DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center: Charging at home
- NCACC: July 2026 county data fact sheet (vehicle registrations)
- Wake County: Permits & inspections FAQ
- Wake County: Permit fee schedule
- Wake Electric: Residential electric vehicles rate
- U.S. DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center: Station locator
- Duke Energy: NC Charger Prep Credit
- Duke Energy: Charger Prep Credit terms and conditions (PDF)
- Duke Energy: Charger Prep Credit quick start guide (PDF)
- Duke Energy: EV Overnight Advantage
- Duke Energy Progress: Schedule R-TOU-EV (PDF)
- Utility Check: Duke Energy Progress rates
- Town of Wake Forest: Residential Service electric rate
- Town of Wake Forest: Wake Forest Power
- Town of Wake Forest: Residential permit fees
- Town of Wake Forest: Inspections FAQs
Rates and programs change. Confirm with your utility before you install.