South Carolina Electric Vehicle bill of sale for bill of sale only

South Carolina Electric Vehicle transfer fees and requirements

In South Carolina, the title transfer fee is $15 and registration costs $24 per year. Electric Vehicle sales are subject to 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) capped at $500. South Carolina does not require notarization for private-party electric vehicle transfers. South Carolina does not require emission testing for private-party electric vehicle sales.

• 5% IMF on vehicle purchases, capped at $500
• Title transfer within 45 days of sale
• Property tax must be paid before registration

South Carolina sales tax on electric vehicle purchases

South Carolina has a 5% state sales tax rate. 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF), capped at $500. Private-party electric vehicle sales in South Carolina are subject to sales tax. IMF applies to all vehicle sales, capped at $500 max. The title transfer fee is $15.

Electric Vehicle market data and safety information

The most common electric vehicle makes in private-party sales are Tesla, Chevrolet, Ford, Rivian, Hyundai. Average private-party electric vehicle prices range from $12,000–$60,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent electric vehicle models is 4.6 out of 5 stars. Electric vehicles average 2.8 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Battery/High Voltage, Software/OTA Updates, Charging System.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used electric vehicle

Before completing a electric vehicle bill of sale in South Carolina, verify these safety items:

• Check battery State of Health (SOH) — capacity degradation below 70% significantly reduces value
• Verify full charge range matches manufacturer specifications for the model year
• Test DC fast charging capability — some older EVs have degraded charge acceptance
• Check for any battery recall or warranty coverage status
• Confirm orange high-voltage cabling is intact and shielding is undamaged
• Verify regenerative braking smoothness and one-pedal-driving function
• Test pedestrian-warning sound (federally required at low speed)
• Inspect for prior collision-repair history that touched the battery pack tray

Electric Vehicle insurance and depreciation in South Carolina

EV insurance costs 10–25% more than comparable gas cars due to higher repair costs and battery replacement risk. EV depreciation is volatile — Tesla holds value best, while some models lose 50–60% in 3 years. Battery warranty transfer is a key value factor. Peak season for private electric vehicle sales is spring when gas prices typically rise and ev incentive programs refresh, with an average of 28 days on market.

Electric Vehicle registration and titling

Electric Vehicles are classified as "Passenger vehicle (EV-specific registration fees apply in 30+ states to offset lost fuel tax revenue)" for registration purposes. EVs weigh 20–30% more than comparable gas vehicles due to battery packs. Some states have proposed weight-based surcharges. Federal odometer disclosure is required for electric vehicles under 20 years old.

South Carolina requirements for bill of sale only electric vehicle sales

For bill of sale only electric vehicle transactions in South Carolina, the buyer must pay 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) capped at $500 and a $15 title transfer fee. Notarization is not required. Odometer disclosure is required.

• 5% IMF on vehicle purchases, capped at $500
• Title transfer within 45 days of sale
• Property tax must be paid before registration

Safety tips for bill of sale only electric vehicle transactions

When completing a bill of sale only electric vehicle sale in South Carolina, always verify the vehicle against NHTSA recall databases. The most common electric vehicle recall categories are Battery/High Voltage, Software/OTA Updates, Charging System. Check recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls before signing the bill of sale.