TODAY’S STUDY: The Policy Fight Now For Transportation Electrification The 50 States of Electric Vehicles: Q3 2019

November 2019 (North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center)

Q3 2019 ELECTRIC VEHICLE ACTION

In Q3 2019, 40 states plus DC took a total of 298 actions related to electric vehicles. Table 1 provides a summary of state and utility actions occurring during Q3 2019. Of the 298 actions catalogued, the most common were related to Financial Incentives (75), followed by Market Development (58), and Deployment (49).

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TOP ELECTRIC VEHICLE ACTIONS OF Q3 2019

Five of the quarter’s most notable electric vehicle actions are noted below.

North Carolina Department of Transportation Releases Zero-Emission Vehicle Plan

In late September 2019, the North Carolina Department of Transportation released its final Zero-Emission Vehicle Plan, as required by Executive Order 80. The plan identifies four action areas to support zero-emission vehicle adoption: education, convenience, affordability, and policy. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Qualify released a Clean Energy Plan in September, which addresses transportation electrification.

Arizona Regulators Approve Electric Vehicle Implementation Plan

The Arizona Corporation Commission approved its Electric Vehicle Policy Implementation Plan in July 2019. The plan establishes guidelines for utility electric vehicle programs and directs the utilities to develop a joint, long-term comprehensive transportation electrification plan by December 31, 2019. The plan also clarifies that charging stations are not classified as public utilities.

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Maine Public Utilities Commission Issues Beneficial Electrification RFP

In August 2019, the Maine Public Utilities Commission approved a request for proposals (RFP) for pilot programs to support beneficial electrification of the transportation sector, as required by legislation enacted earlier in the year. Proposals may address load management, utility investment in infrastructure for fast charging, fast charging fees, and customer engagement and awareness. The Commission is accepting responses from utilities, non-utility entities, and Efficiency Maine.

Portland General Electric Files Transportation Electrification Plan

Portland General Electric filed its transportation electrification plan with Oregon regulators in late September 2019. The plan includes activities to address passenger electric vehicle adoption and fleet electrification, such as rate reform, infrastructure investments, financial incentives, and outreach. Planned efforts include vehicle-only time-of-use rates, demand charge relief, make-ready equipment deployment, and leasing of charging infrastructure.

Iowa Utilities Board Exempts Charging Infrastructure Served by Behind-the-Meter Generation from Utility Regulation

The Iowa Utilities Board issued a decision in September 2019, exempting all electric vehicle charging stations, including those served by behind-the-meter generation, from utility regulation. The Board adopted rules in April 2019 exempting charging stations that purchase electricity from the utility only from regulation. The revised rules specify that electricity sold for the purpose of vehicle charging at a commercial or public station does not constitute a resale of electricity.

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TOP ELECTRIC VEHICLE POLICY TRENDS OF Q3

2019 States and Utilities Focus on Rebate Programs for Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure

The most commonly addressed topic of Q3 2019 was financial incentives for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, with the majority of incentives under consideration being rebate programs. Hawaii lawmakers enacted legislation creating a new rebate program for electric vehicle charging infrastructure in July 2019, while the Vermont General Assembly enacted a bill establishing a new incentive program for electric vehicles last quarter. In New Jersey, the Board of Public Utilities took steps toward developing an electric vehicle incentive program. Several utilities have filed proposals for rebate programs, typically as part of broader transportation electrification initiatives. Duke Energy has requested approval for charging station rebates in Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina, while Indiana Michigan Power has filed rebate proposals in both Indiana and Michigan.

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Utilities Proposing Programs to Address Multiple Charging Types and Locations

Many of the utilities requesting approval for transportation electrification initiatives are proposing a portfolio of programs addressing multiple charging types (such as Level 2 or DC fast charging) and locations (such as single-family homes, multi-family dwellings, businesses, and workplaces). The majority of the residential and commercial programs under consideration take the form of incentive programs and new rate offerings, while the majority of the fast charging programs involve utility deployment or new rate designs to reduce the impact of demand charges. Duke Energy’s newly proposed pilot programs in Indiana and Kentucky include programs for fast charging, electric transit buses, residential charging, and commercial charging. Recently approved programs in DC, Delaware, and Maryland also address several different charging segments.

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Utilities Proposing Innovative Electric Vehicle Pilot Projects

A number of utilities are proposing innovative electric vehicle pilot projects to demonstrate and study new technologies and applications. Dominion Energy Virginia requested approval to deploy a limited number of DC fast charging stations to study and support electrification of the rideshare segment. A Commission order on Georgia Power’s integrated resource plan requires the utility to develop a pilot project that uses battery storage for a grid-connected charging system. As part of Portland General Electric’s transportation electrification plan, filed in September 2019, the utility indicated that it will be pursuing an electric truck demonstration charging sandbox. Last quarter, the Utah Public Service Commission approved Rocky Mountain Power’s proposed project that will test a power balance and demand response system at a transit hub in Salt Lake City.

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