EV policy updates from across the country

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EV policy updates from across the country

Plug In America has been hard at work fighting the federal government’s attempt to roll back the clean car standards—a direct attack on electric vehicles. (If you haven’t yet signed that petition, please do so before the October 26 deadline!) But we also work with state governments to ensure our elected officials are helping further the EV movement. Below are a few other policy announcements worth noting.

Northeast
First, in the northeast, we saw increased activity at utility commissions. The Vermont Public Utilities Commission (VT PUC) hosted a workshop aimed at removing barriers to increased ownership and use of EVs in the state, focused on the role of utilities and the VT PUC in advancing the sector.

In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, utility National Grid was approved by the respective commissions in each state to invest in EV charging infrastructure.

In Massachusetts, National Grid was approved to offer rebates and electrical infrastructure that will support the deployment of 600 level two and 80 DC fast charging stations at public locations, workplaces and multi-unit dwellings. The $25 million program also includes a small research and development plan to collect data from the charging stations installed and assess the potential for future demand response programs with EVs.

In Rhode Island, the company was approved to invest in EV charging infrastructure to support about 360 charging ports over the next 3-4 years. National Grid also received approval to start an off-peak charging rebate pilot, where customers will get a rebate for charging at night.

Plug In America supports the engagement of electric utilities in the advancing transportation electrification, especially the deployment of EV charging stations. Check out our new factsheet on what we think a regulator should first focus on when approving utility EV programs.  

Southeast
In the southeast, Duke Energy Florida launched a “Park and Plug” EV charging station pilot program. This program will allow Duke Energy to install 530 EV charging stations in the state through 2022 at workplaces, multi-unit dwellings and public locations. Duke Energy Florida also recently launched the Charge Florida study to understand EV charging habits and the impact of residential EV charging on the grid.

Midwest
In the upper midwest, a new report from MJ Bradley was released that quantifies the benefits of larger EV adoption in Minnesota. The cost-benefit analysis shows benefits of $4.6 billion to more than $30 billion, depending on the level of EV adoption. This study will be helpful to state policymakers and regulators to support EV policy that grows adoption in the state. Similar cost-benefit analyses have already been performed for Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania and for Colorado.

West
As reported in our last newsletter, California EV drivers who received HOV decals before January 1, 2017 will lose HOV lane access at the end of this year. Please sign our petition to fight this backwards policy!

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