Pa. launches review of electric-vehicle charging policies
The PUC wants to explore policies related to third-party electric vehicle charging stations, saying the absence of consistent rules may inhibit the build-out of EV infrastructure.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Thursday launched a review of its policy related to third-party electric vehicle charging stations, saying the lack of consistent rules governing the way fees can be assessed may inhibit the build-out of EV infrastructure.
The in-house review will explore the rates that the state's electric utilities apply to EV charging stations, and the restrictions on the stations for reselling the power to motorists. In some cases, existing rules restricting electricity resales may reduce the incentive for investors to build for-profit charging stations.
"It may be beneficial to provide more clarity regarding exactly what restrictions, if any, that each utility has, and whether regulatory consistency across the state could help foster increased investment in this maturing industry," the commission chair, Gladys M. Brown, said in a statement. The PUC unanimously approved the review.
Pennsylvania currently has 723 electric vehicle charging stations. There are about 3,600 registered EVs in Pennsylvania in 2016, or 0.04 percent of the 8.3 million registered passenger vehicles.