⚡Bringing Your Electric Vehicle to Martha’s Vineyard
What to know about the ferry, charging on-island, and EV etiquette. plus an island directory of chargers!
Yes, people bring EVs to MV all the time! The key is showing up with a plan: ferry basics, what could flag you at boarding, how charging works on the island, and the go-to chargers you plan to use during your stay.
Bringing Your EV to MV
There’s been ongoing conversation (and policy tweaks) about damaged EVs boarding SSA vessels, tied to concerns about compromised batteries.
The 2026 Status: MV Times reported in 2025 that a damaged EV may be allowed to board if the owner provides documentation from an ASE-certified mechanic in the past 3 months stating it’s safe to travel. To ensure successful boarding:
📄 If your car was in an accident recently: the owner may need to provide documentation from a mechanic certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) noting that the vehicle is safe to travel.
🔋 Arrive with a comfortable charge buffer.
Note that hybrids DO count in damaged battery rules. The SSA’s electric vehicle policy is enforced by U.S. Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England. This is why the policy can feel strict at boarding, it’s not just a customer service call.
🛠️ If something happens on-island
Plan for the possibility that repairs (or specialty EV service) may be more limited than what you’re used to on the mainland. This doesn’t need to be scary, it just means: don’t ignore warning lights and don’t run the battery into the ground repeatedly. Getting a quick sign-off from an ASE-certified mechanic in order to re-board the SSA back home may be harder here. If you get in an accident on-Island, you may need to get the car back to the mainland via R.M. Packer Company barge, which is very costly.
Charging Your EV on MV
🧠 Set realistic expectations
On MV, most charging is Level 2 “top-off while you’re parked” not quick highway-style fill-ups. A practical way to plan is to assume you’ll charge in smaller chunks, ideally while you’re already doing something else.
🗺️ Where are the chargers?
A helpful starting point is PlugShare’s up-to-date charger list.
Their live-status directory page for Vineyard Haven shows 34 public stations. Here are additional resources:
📍 Town-by-Town Charging Cheat Sheet
Prices + rules change. Rates, time limits, and access can shift seasonally or without notice. Always double-check in your charging app before you plan around a specific station.
“Ports” ≠ “available to the public.” Some locations list multiple ports, but a portion may be reserved, blocked, out of service, or actively used by town vehicles.
Hotel chargers aren’t public by default. When a station is on hotel property, assume guest/patron use only unless the property confirms otherwise.
🧩 How to Plan Charging
🏡 If you’re staying overnight (best case)
Prioritize lodging with charging access
Overnight charging is the “secret weapon” on MV: you wake up ready and don’t spend your vacation hunting.
🕒 If you’re day-tripping
Arrive with a buffer.
Pick one intentional charge window (lunch + walk + quick top-off).
🗓️ If you’re here for a week
Think: “little charges often” instead of one big dramatic charging session.
Build one or two “charge-while-I’m-doing-X” habits into your routine.
🤝 EV charging etiquette on MV
This matters more in summer, when chargers feel limited.
✅ Move your car when you’re done charging. If you’re at 90–100%, move!
✅ Don’t treat an EV charger like “reserved parking.”
✅ If a spot is clearly in demand, charge what you need and go.
✅ If you’re using a public charger overnight (rarely ideal), be extra considerate.
💰 Cost Of Chargers
Is charging free on MV? Some stations may be paid and policies vary by location/network — assume it won’t be free, and confirm in the app before you plan around it. (PlugShare listings typically show this per station.)
🏠 Seasonal Homeowner Tips
If you’re a seasonal homeowner, home charging is the easiest upgrade you can make for potential renters.
Mass Save has an EV charging equipment page for customers of certain MA utilities and points to rebates/info.
National Grid’s MA EV Charging Upgrade Program describes rebates tied to installing a 240-volt outlet and eligible equipment.
For more questions, you can join the Facebook Group Electric Vehicle Club of Martha's Vineyard to ask a local.
Happy traveling! This post was last updated in January 2026. I’ll plan to refresh it annually as rules, policies, and charging stations change. Thanks!
