High Costs, Infrastructure Challenges Hinder Electric Vehicle Penetration

Colorado Governor Issues Executive Order to Accelerate Electric Vehicle Adoption

Democratic Governor Jared Polis on Jan. 17 issued an executive order detailing initiatives and strategies aimed at facilitating a transition to electric vehicles. Polis said that the transition will support the state’s goal of 100 percent renewable electricity by 2040. The order directs the state’s Department of Public Health and Environment to develop a rule…

Electric Car Charging Stations

Maryland Regulator Authorizes Utilities to Install 5,000 Electric Car Charging Stations

The Maryland Public Service Commission approved a five-year electric vehicle charging program for the state’s largest utilities, taking a major step towards its ambitious goal of putting 300,000 electric vehicles on roadways by 2025, according to a Jan. 14 press release. The order permits utilities to own a limited number of public charging stations, in…

High Costs, Infrastructure Challenges Hinder Electric Vehicle Penetration

High Costs, Infrastructure Challenges Hinder Electric Vehicle Penetration: Illinois Report

The Illinois Commerce Commission on Jan. 9 released a report identifying challenges and opportunities related to electric vehicle deployment and its impact on the grid. The report identifies high upfront costs, range anxiety, lack of charging stations, and inadequate consumer awareness as the key barriers to widespread adoption. The main benefits surrounding electric vehicles pertain…

Massachusetts Extends Electric Car Rebate Program, Shifts Focus to Meet Industry Demand

Massachusetts Extends Electric Car Rebate Program, Shifts Focus to Meet Industry Demand

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources announced that the state’s electric vehicle rebate program, which has issued or reserved more than $23 million in rebates for over 11,000 cars since its launch in 2014, will be extended through June 30, 2019, according to a Dec. 6 press release. Starting next year, the program will support…

Oklahoma Announces $3.1 million Grants for EV Chargers Using Volkswagen Settlement Funds

Oklahoma Announces $3.1 million Grants for EV Chargers Using Volkswagen Settlement Funds

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality is soliciting proposals under its ChargeOK Grant Program aimed to build out the state’s light-duty electric vehicle charging stations, according to a Nov. 29 news release. The agency will award grants a competitive basis for the purchase, installation, and operation of publicly accessible charging stations. The grant will reimburse…

New York Launches $250 Million Initiative to Install Charging Stations Along Major Corridors

New York Launches $250 Million Initiative to Install Charging Stations Along Major Corridors

The New York Power Authority will install up to 200 direct current fast chargers at over two dozen locations along major traffic corridors, JFK Airport, and five major cities under the EVolve NY program, according to a Nov. 19 announcement. The agency said it has earmarked the first 32 locations to install charging equipment under…

U.S. Lawmaker Proposes Bill to End Electric Vehicle Tax Credits, Impose Highway User Fees

U.S. Lawmaker Proposes Bill to End Electric Vehicle Tax Credits, Impose Highway User Fees

Sen. John Barrasso, a Republican representing Wyoming, introduced legislation on Oct. 6 that would discontinue the tax credit for new electric vehicles and create a federal highway user charge for alternative fuel vehicles including plug-ins and fuel cell vehicles. Under current law, the credits apply for plug-in electric vehicles bought from 2010 and begin phasing…

Potomac Electric Power Unveils $15 Million Electric Vehicle Program for DC Customers

Potomac Electric Power Unveils $15 Million Electric Vehicle Program for DC Customers

The Potomac Electric Power Company proposed a transportation electrification program consisting of 13 offerings estimated to cost about $15.2 million, with projected ratepayer costs of about $9.9 million after accounting for participant contributions, revenues from public chargers, and funds from the ”MEDSIS” initiative that aims to modernize the energy delivery system, according to an Oct.…

Illinois Regulator Launches Inquiry to Examine Grid Impact of Electric Vehicles, Explore Policy Tools

Illinois Regulator Launches Inquiry to Examine Grid Impact of Electric Vehicles, Explore Policy Tools

The Illinois Commerce Commission opened a proceeding to gather information on the impact of electric vehicles on grid resiliency and energy efficiency, according to a Sept. 24 press release. The move follows two policy sessions that the commission held in April and September to examine transportation electrification. The commission said that regulatory uncertainty hinders widespread…

Illinois Regulator Examines Electrification of Commercial Fleet Amid Growing Adoption of EVs

Illinois Regulator Examines Electrification of Commercial Fleet Amid Growing Adoption of EVs

The Illinois Commerce Commission held a policy session on the electrification of commercial fleets and buses and the effects of increasing electric vehicles in the transportation sector, according to a Sept. 19 press release. Panelists said that electric vehicles are gaining favor among commercial users due to lower maintenance costs, improved driving range, smaller environmental…

New York Announces Rebates Up To 80 Percent of EV Charger Installation Costs

New York Announces Rebates Up To 80 Percent of EV Charger Installation Costs

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched a rebate initiative providing $5 million for installing electric vehicle charging stations in public and private locations, such as apartment buildings, workplaces, and malls, according to a Sept. 18 announcement by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The initiative offers a $4,000 rebate per Level 2 charging…

Nevada Regulator Approves NV Energy’s First Electric Vehicle Charging Program, Energy Storage

Nevada Regulator Approves NV Energy’s First Electric Vehicle Charging Program, Energy Storage

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada on June 29 authorized a budget of $15 million for NV Energy to implement an electric vehicle demonstration program to scale public charging infrastructure as part of its 2018-2019 annual plan. The commission also approved $5 million for energy storage initiatives. The programs stem from legislation enacted last year…