The 50 States of Electric Vehicles: Fleet Electrification, Fast Charging Networks, and Utility-Owned Residential Charging Programs in Focus During Q2 2021

Raleigh, NC – (August 4, 2021) The N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) released its Q2 2021 edition of The 50 States of Electric Vehicles. The quarterly series provides insights on state regulatory and legislative discussions and actions on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

The report finds that 46 states and the District of Columbia took actions related to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure during Q2 2021 (see figure below), with the greatest number of actions relating to rebate programs, rate design for vehicle charging, and additional fees for electric vehicles. A total of 537 electric vehicle actions were taken during Q2 2021, with the most active states being Massachusetts, Minnesota, California, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and Oregon.

Q2 2021 State and Utility Action on Electric Vehicles

The report discusses three trends in electric vehicle actions taken in Q2 2021: (1) utilities piloting utility-owned residential charging station programs, (2) policymakers and utilities taking steps to encourage fleet electrification, and (3) utilities working to grow fast charging networks.

“As regulators continue to consider the appropriate role for utilities in the deployment of transportation electrification infrastructure, many utilities are filing proposals to pilot programs involving utility-owned charging stations in homes and at businesses,” observed Autumn Proudlove, Senior Policy Program Director at NCCETC. “Other states, however, have more firmly committed to a make-ready approach, where utilities own only make-ready infrastructure and not charging stations themselves.”

2021 Proposed Legislation on Electric Vehicles (as of Mid-July 2021)

The report notes five of the top policy developments of the quarter:

  • Duke Energy filing its Make-Ready and Phase II Electrification of Transportation program proposals in North Carolina;
  • Arizona, Oregon, and South Carolina initiating transportation electrification investigations;
  • Colorado lawmakers enacting expansive transportation legislation;
  • Connecticut and Hawaii legislators adopting zero-emission vehicle procurement targets for state fleets; and
  • California regulators approving San Diego Gas & Electric’s Power Your Drive program extension.

“Following the actions taken this quarter, only nine states have not exempted EV charging station owners from regulation as public utilities in at least some configurations,” observed David Sarkisian, Senior Policy Project Manager at NCCETC. “Many states have moved on to other regulatory issues, such as determining the types of investments that electric utilities can make in charging infrastructure, and operating requirements and efficiency standards for charging equipment.”

View the 50 States of Electric Vehicles 2021 Q2 Update Executive Summary

View and Purchase the 50 States of Electric Vehicles 2021 Q2 Update FULL Report

View other 50 States Reports – Solar, Grid Modernization and Electric Vehicles

 

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The N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center, as part of the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University, advances a sustainable energy economy by educating, demonstrating and providing support for clean energy technologies, practices and policies. It serves as a resource for innovative, sustainable energy technologies through technology demonstration, technical assistance, outreach and training. For more information about the  Center, visit: http://www.nccleantech.ncsu.edu. Twitter: @NCCleanTech