While over half of states took at least one action related to electric vehicles in the second quarter of 2018, the majority of EV activity was concentrated in a relatively small number of states, according to a new report from the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center.
Of the 274 total actions taken during the second quarter, over half took place in only seven states: New York, New Jersey, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Minnesota, the report, “50 States of Electric Vehicles,” said. The report was released on Aug. 8.
Over half of U.S. states took two or fewer actions related to electric vehicles during the quarter, while the most active state took 32 actions.
“Electric vehicle activity is also showing some regional concentration, with the ten states located between New Hampshire and Maryland, plus DC, taking approximately half of the total actions tracked during Q2 2018,” the report noted.
States take different paths on regulatory oversight
Another trend in the second quarter involved states diverging on regulatory oversight of EV charging stations.
“Regulatory oversight of electric vehicle charging stations is an issue being addressed by many states across the country, with different conclusions often being reached,” the report said.
Looking at specific state activities, the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center noted that during the quarter, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada ruled that investor-owned NV Energy may own and operate EV charging stations, and that the rates charged for the use of the utility’s stations will come under commission jurisdiction.
“On the other hand, the Delaware Public Service Commission denied a staff petition last year to regulate charging station operators and set rates for their customers until the state legislature addresses the issue,” the report noted.
In the second quarter, the Delaware Commission Staff and Public Advocate requested a stay of investor-owned Delmarva Power’s proposed EV charging infrastructure deployment, “suggesting that if the legislature does act to deregulate charging infrastructure, Delmarva’s guaranteed source of cost recovery puts it at an advantage in the market.”
The report also noted EV action by Vermont utility regulators in the second quarter. The Vermont Public Utility Commission on July 9 issued an order opening an investigation into promoting the ownership and use of electric vehicles in the New England state. The goal of the investigation is to identify and eliminate barriers to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
Expanding access to low-income communities
A third trend mentioned in the report is the expansion of EV and charging access to low-income communities.
Bills pending in both California and New Jersey would provide additional electric vehicle incentives and outreach to low-income customers, while another California bill would fund zero-emission vehicles to provide transportation services to seniors and the disabled in rural counties, the report said.
“States are also considering investments in electric buses, which can help extend the benefits of electrified transportation to those without the means to purchase an electric vehicle,” the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center said.
Total of 274 legislative and regulatory actions occurred in Q2
In the second quarter of 2018, 36 states plus DC took a total of 274 legislative and regulatory actions related to EVs, the report said.
Of the 274 actions catalogued, the most common were related to regulation (72), followed by financial incentives (60), and market development (56). The other types of action tracked in the second quarter were studies and investigations (36), deployment (27) and rate design (23).
The center recently released reports tracking second quarter grid modernization and solar activities.
Additional details on the center and the reports are available here.
