Category: Legislation

Marylanders who purchased a plug-in electric vehicle since funds were depleted for the $3,000 state excise tax credit have been waiting to see if the legislature will reauthorize funding for the program. Purchasers were encouraged to file a form to reserve a place in the queue if and when additional funding is authorized.

There’s potential good news for those waiting on a Maryland EV tax rebate from a previous purchase and those considering buying an electric car in the future. The Clean Cars Act of 2021 (HB 44) proposes to extend and increase the funding for the Maryland electric vehicle excise tax credit. Annual funding would increase to as much as $26,000,000 through fiscal year 2023 under the proposal by Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo.

The Clean Cars Act of 2017 authorized an excise tax credit on plug-in electric cars for three years, from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2020 subject to available funding which was limited to a maximum amount for each fiscal year.

Funding Backlog

Funds for the Maryland excise tax credit usually ran out early and applications were then held until the next round of funding was released and paid in the order that applications were received by the MVA. Satisfying the ever growing backlog meant that each year’s funding would run out sooner than the last. In May, 2019, a month before the release of the FY 2020 funds, the entire $6 million allocated for the final year authorized by the legislation was already spoken for by applicants on the waitlist who had already purchased.

In January, 2020, the Clean Cars Act of 2020 was introduced to extend the program for another three years. It also proposed to increase the annual funding from $6,000,000 to $12,000,000. Unfortunately, the bill didn’t pass before the Maryland General Assembly adjourned early due to COVID-19. In effect, the backlog of EV buyers waiting for funding to receive a rebate check extends back to May, 2019 at this point.

Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2021

Under the proposed Clean Cars Act of 2021:

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PlugInSites is tracking EV legislation in Maryland, Virginia and select bills of interest in other states. Check back often and subscribe below.

Pending Actions & Featured Bills

– New
Maryland General Assembly Session has ended for 2021.

State	Summary	Bill	Status	Update	Details
DE	EV Charging Fees	SB21	Enacted	9/17/2021	Permits State agencies to charge a fee for public or employee use of EV charging equipment installed by the agency so long as the fees do not exceed the agency’s costs.
NY	ZEV by 2035	S2758	Enacted	10/08/2021	Provides that one hundred percent of in-state sales of new passenger cars and trucks shall be zero-emissions by 2035
WA	Payment & Interop.	SB5192	Enacted	5/10/2021	EV charging station payment rules and interoperability standards.
OR	EV Charging in Parks	HB2290	Enacted	5/12/2021	EV charging stations in parking spaces at state parks.
OK	EV Charging Tax	HB2234	Enacted	4/22/2021	Imposes a tax of 3 cents per kWh on the electric current used to charge electric vehicles.
MD	Residential Construction	HB0784	Enacted	5/30/2021	Requiring a builder of new housing to provide buyer with the option to include EV charging.
MD	ZEV Bus Transition	SB0137	Enacted	5/30/2021	Prohibiting, beginning in fiscal year 2023, the Maryland Transit Administration from purchasing buses for the Administration's State transit bus fleet that are not zero-emission buses
MD	EV Tax Credit	HB0044	Enacted	5/30/2021	Excise tax credit for electric vehicle purchases. (Amended to strike EV tax credit and only apply to backlog of previous EV purchases on the waitlist.)
MD	Climate Counsel	HB0030	Enacted	5/30/2021	Establish the Office of Climate Counsel in the Maryland Public Service Commission and include the Climate Counsel on ZEEVIC.
MD	HOA/Condo Charging	HB0110 (SB144)	Enacted	5/30/2021	Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment for Multifamily Units Act (Right-to-Charge)
MD	Comm EV Inspections	HB0250	Enacted	5/30/2021	Altering the mileage at which certain zero-emission Class F (tractor) vehicles are required to have the vehicle inspected.
MD	ZEV Bus Transition	HB0334 (SB0137)	Put into SB0414	2/12/2021	Prohibiting, beginning in fiscal year 2023, the Maryland Transit Administration from purchasing buses for the Administration's State transit bus fleet that are not zero-emission buses
MD	Anti-ICEing	HB0480	❌ Died	4/12/2021	Prohibiting a person from parking a vehicle that is not connected to charging equipment in a space that is designated for charging plug-in electric vehicles.
MD	EV School Bus	HB0832	❌ Died	3/30/2021	Establishing the electric school bus pilot program
MD	ZEV State Fleet	HB0592	❌ Died	4/12/2021	Prohibiting, beginning in fiscal year 2023, a State unit from entering into a contract to purchase or lease a vehicle for the State vehicle fleet that is not a zero-emission electric vehicle.
MD	EV Charging Reimburse	HB1098	❌ Died	3/26/2021	Requiring State and local elected officials who use a State-owned EV charging station to charge a personal EV to reimburse the State for the electricity used.
MD	Anti-ICEing	SB0315	❌ Died	1/27/2021	Prohibiting stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle that is not a plug-in electric vehicle in a parking space that is designated for the use of plug-in electric vehicles.
MD	Tax Credit Funding	SB0152	❌ Died	1/19/2021	Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund – Use of Funds and Electric Vehicle Excise Tax Credits
MI	Charger Registration	HB4801	Active	10/14/2021	Registration procedure for electric vehicle charging stations.
MI	EVSP Licensing	HB4802	Active	10/14/2021	Licensing of electric vehicle charging station operators.
PA	EV Ready	HB0481 (HB0110)	Active	2/9/2021	Requiring new nonresidential buildings to provide electrical service capacity for electric vehicles.
NC	Anti-ICEing	HB296	✅ House (115-4)	4/01/2021	An act to regulate parking in an electric vehicle charging station.
NC	EV Tax Credit	SB592	Active	4/7/2021	Creating a $3,000 income tax credit for purchasers of a new plug-in electric vehicle.
PA	ZEV Tax Credit	HB0524 (HB0110)	Active	2/11/2021	Exclusions from Tax. The sale at retail or use of a zero-emission vehicle.
PA	ZEV Toll Discounts	HB0525 (HB0110)	Active	2/11/2021	10% discount on electronic toll collection.
WV	Anti-ICEing	HB2732	Postponed Indefinitely	3/10/2021	Establishing a penalty for any vehicle that is not a plug-in hybrid vehicle or plug-in electric vehicle for utilizing a parking space that is designated for charging an electric vehicle.
WV	Repeal EV Fee	SB0094	Adjourned	4/10/2021	Repealing additional registration fees for alternative fuel vehicles
WV	Repeal EV Fee	HB2223	Adjourned	4/10/2021	Repealing section of code authorizing additional registration fees for alternative fuel vehicles
WV	Repeal Hybrid Fee	HB2075	Adjourned	4/10/2021	Removing the registration fee for a vehicle operating on a combination of electricity and petrochemical fuels
NJ	EV Ready Redevelopment	A1653	✅ Passed	6/3/2021	Encourages development of zero-emission vehicle fueling and charging infrastructure in redevelopment projects.
NJ	EV Ready	S3223	✅ Passed	6/3/2021	Establishes numerical requirements and zoning standards for installation of electric vehicle supply equipment and Make-Ready parking spaces.
NJ	EV Charging Price	A2360	✅ Assy Senate	6/3/2021	Requires electric public utility to charge residential rate for service used by residential customer for electric vehicle charging at charging stations within certain designated parking spaces.
NJ	EV Charging Pricing	A5303	Active	1/27/2021	Prohibits timed-use and per-charge pricing, and excessive price increases, in sale of plug-in electric vehicle charging services.
NY	AV Task Force	S03909	✅ Senate in Assy	5/10/2021	Relates to establishing the New York task force on automated vehicle technology.
NY	EV Ready	S00023	✅ Senate in Assy	5/10/2021	Requires the construction of certain parking facilities to be capable of supporting electric vehicle charging stations
NY	EV Charging Tariff	S03929	✅ Passed	4/26/2021	Establishes an electric vehicle charging commercial tariff
NY	ZEV	S04097	✅ Senate in Assy	6/09/2021	Directs the commissioner of the department of environmental conservation to promulgate rules and regulations establishing targets for the sales of zero emissions medium and heavy duty vehicles.
NY	Direct Sales	S1763 (A4614)	Active	3/20/2021	Certificates of registration for entities that manufacture or assemble ZEVs and have no franchised motor vehicle dealers in New York
NY	Clean Car Standard	A862 (S2962)	Active	3/08/2021	Establishes the low carbon fuel standard of 2021.
NY	Fee Exemption	S05087	Active	2/23/2021	Exempts new clean fuel vehicles and vehicles that meet the clean vehicle standards from first year of registration fees.
NY	Sales Tax Exemption	S04476	Active	2/5/2021	Provides an exemption for the sale of the first $35,000 of a battery, electric, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle from state sales and compensating use taxes
NY	EV Ready	A00346	Active	1/6/2021	Requires certain state owned and operated parking garages, open parking lots and other parking facilities to install and maintain charging stations for plug-in electric vehicles.
NY	EV Ready	A03179	Active	1/22/2021	Requires electric vehicle charging stations and electric vehicle capable parking spaces
NY	EV Ready	A3435	Active	1/26/2021	EV infrastructure at all new residential and commercial construction that has dedicated off-street parking.
NY	EV Ready	S0370	Active	1/25/2021	Requires state owned and operated parking facilities to install EV charging stations.
MA	ICEing Fine	H.3499	Active	3/29/2021	subject to a fine of $100 for a first offense and $200 for a second or subsequent offense.
MA	ICEing Fine	H3502	Active	3/29/2021	subject to a fine of $100 for a first offense and $200 for a second or subsequent offense.
MA	HOA/Condo Charging	H3425	Active	3/29/2021	Right-to-Charge
CT	EV Direct Sales	SB0127	Active	4/13/2021	To permit electric vehicle manufacturers to sell electric vehicles directly to the consumer.
CT	EV Ready	HB5640	Active	1/27/2021	To provide prewiring for solar power and electric vehicle charging stations for all new residential construction.
RI	EV Ready & ICEing Fine	SB0173	❌ Died	6/29/2021	Installation of EV charging stations - Designated parking spaces.
IL	EV Ready	HB5640	Active	3/27/2021	EV ready at new or renovated residential or nonresidential buildings.
IN	Task Force	HB1220	Enacted	4/26/2021	Reestablishes the 21st century energy policy development task force.
IN	EV Charging Pilot	HB1385	❌ Died	1/14/2021	Authorizes an electric utility to request approval from the IURC to implement a pilot program to operate EV charging infrastructure.
OH	EV Charging Grant	SB0032	Active	2/22/2021	Establish electric vehicle charging station grant rebate program.
HI	EV Charging Enforcement	SB0756 (HB803)	Active	3/25/2021	Authorizes the establishment of penalties for failure to make reasonable efforts to maintain EV charging stations in working order. Clarifies that certain enforcement officers may enter private property to enforce EV parking space violations.
MN	EV Charging Tax	SF 602	Active	3/01/2021	Electric fuel distributed by a utility through an electric vehicle charging station at a public or private parking space tax imposition.
NV	EV Charging Tax	SB 191	❌ Died	4/10/2021	Imposing a surcharge on the sale of electric service to charge the battery of an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.
MS	EV Charging Tax & Grants	HB1441	❌ Died	3/19/2021	To impose a fee on motor vehicles charged at qualified alternative-fuel fueling stations in this state.
VA	Clean Car Standards	HB1965	Enacted	2/19/2021	State Air Pollution Control Board; low-emissions and zero-emissions vehicle program
VA	Charging Plan	SB1223	Enacted	2/19/2021	Analysis of EV charging infrastructure needed to support the 2045 net-zero carbon target in the transportation sector.
VA	Vehicle Wt. Limits	HB1850	Enacted	2/18/2021	Passed House (98-0). Motor vehicle weight limits; vehicles powered primarily by electric battery power.
VA	SCC-Report	HB2282	Enacted	2/18/2021	Directs the State Corporation Commission to report on policy proposals to accelerate transportation electrification.
VA	EV Tax Credit	HB1979	Enacted	2/27/2021	Electric vehicle rebate program; creation and funding; report.
VA	EV Grant Fund	HB2118	Enacted	2/28/2021	Electric Vehicle Grant Fund and Program; creation; report.
VA	EV School Bus	SB1380	❌ Failed	2/28/2021	Electric utilities; electric school bus projects.

New York info provided by Long Island EVs

Maryland General Assembly Session Ends April 12, 2021

The 2021 Legislative Sessions in Maryland began on January 13th and will adjourn Sine Die at 11:59 PM on Monday April 12th. Any bills that have not passed both chambers by then will die and have to be reintroduced and start the process all over again next January in the 2022 session.

Right-to-Charge Bill Passed

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This week, the Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council (ZEEVIC) released their 2020 Annual Report.

Prescribed by the Maryland Clean Cars Act

Under the Maryland Clean Cars Act, the body is required to submit an annual report of the Council’s work and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by December 1st. This is to give the Governor and legislature time to study the information and prepare important Zero Emission Vehicle related bills for the lawmaking session which begins in January.

Formed as The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council (EVIC) in 2011

The Council was created by legislation introduced by Governor O’Malley in 2011 to coordinate integration of electric vehicles into Maryland communities and transportation system. It was originally called the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council (EVIC). EVIC included representatives of automobile manufacturers, dealers, charging equipment manufacturers, utility companies, electrical workers, state and local governments, energy and environmental experts.

Legislation sponsored by Governor Hogan in 2019 added representatives of the hydrogen fuel industry to the Council. The name was also changed to the Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council. Maryland had set a goal of 60,000 EVs on the road by 2020 and 300,000 by 2025. The 2020 ZEEVIC Report noted that 26,672 Plug-in Electric Vehicles were registered in Maryland as of September 30, 2020.

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20% Make-Ready for Electric Vehicle Charging

Washington, DC is moving forward with legislation to require “make-ready” infrastructure for the future installation of electric vehicle charging equipment in new and renovated commercial buildings and multi-unit dwellings.

The DC Council voted unanimously this week to approve B23-0193, the Electric Vehicle Readiness Amendment Act of 2019. The bill still faces a final vote before it is sent to Mayor Muriel Bowser.

The bill states that “all new construction or substantial improvement of commercial buildings and multi-unit buildings that have 3 or more off-road automobile parking spaces shall include electric vehicle make-ready infrastructure to accommodate the future installation of an electric vehicle charging site at at least 20% of the parking spaces.”

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Idea to Help Local Businesses During Pandemic

A member of the Greenbelt, Maryland City Council proposed to waive the fee to use the DC Fast Charger by the Municipal Building in the Roosevelt Center at 25 Crescent Rd.

Mayor Pro Tem Emmett Jordan had recently received an email from staff informing the Council Members that the charging station, which had been broken for an extended period, was now fixed. Mr. Jordan realized that the charging station presented an opportunity to draw people into the Roosevelt Center to patronize the businesses that are feeling the economic impact of the current pandemic.

“If you look at the businesses in Roosevelt Center right now, they’re struggling. They’re having a really, really hard time.” Mr. Jordan said during last night’s City Council meeting. “I’d like to go ahead and waive the fees while the emergency is in place. Anything we can do to attract more people into Roosevelt Center, we need to do.”

The charger, which opened in August, 2017, was initially free to use. The City Council decided to initiate a fee which started in January, 2019. At the time, the Council felt that the free charging was being abused by commercial drivers and people who lived outside of Greenbelt. After the fee was implemented, usage fell precipitously. According to data obtained from the Maryland Energy Administration, there were only 27 charging sessions at the Greenbelt charger in the three months between April 1 and June 30, 2020. That was down from 1182 sessions in the same calendar period in 2018.

Data to Guide Decision

In the discussion with his colleagues to convince them to vote to approve his proposal, Mr. Jordan noted, “If you look at surrounding municipalities – Hyattsville, Laurel – there are plenty of places where people can go to charge their cars now and that wasn’t the case maybe three years ago.”

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Maryland EVSE Rebate Program

Funding is available again, starting July 1, 2020, for the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Rebate Program administered by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). The Maryland EVSE Rebate is available to qualified individuals, non-profits, state or local governments, and businesses that install an electric vehicle charging station.

Eligible participants must apply for the rebate through the MEA. Rebates will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is depleted and is subject to the conditions of the program’s guidelines. The total amount of funding that is available for the fiscal year 2021 (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021) is $1,800,000.

The rebate amount for residential charging stations is 40% of the equipment purchase price and installation cost up to $700. Complete instructions on how to apply for the Maryland EVSE Rebate are located on the MEA Program page.

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Funding Depleted – But File an Application Anyway

New:
2021 Maryland Legislation Includes EV Tax Credit Bill
Click Here for More Info

Don’t count on the $3,000 Maryland EV tax credit if you buy an electric car right now. Funding for the program is exhausted and no further funding is currently authorized. However, you should still submit the form to reserve your place in line in case funding is approved in the future.

Go to the MVA website for the current status of the Maryland EV Tax Credit program and do your due diligence before making a purchase.

The Clean Cars Act of 2017, signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan, authorized an excise tax credit on plug-in electric cars for three years, from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2020.

Funds for the Maryland excise tax credit usually run out early each fiscal year. Applicants are then put on a wait list until the next round of funding is released. Filling the backlog means that each year’s funding runs out sooner than the last.

In September, 2016 the money ran out barely two months into fiscal year 2017. The Maryland MVA sent out a bulletin advising auto dealers to alert customers that funds were depleted and the program had ended.

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New Policy Expands Options for Residential Charging

Guidelines developed by Montgomery County, Maryland will allow for privately owned EV charging stations to be installed in the public right of way adjacent to County streets. Residents of homes that qualify will be able to charge while parked on the curb using electricity from their home meter.

The curbside charging program is available to residents of single family homes or duplexes. Permits will be considered when a home doesn’t have a driveway and off-street parking cannot be built on the home’s property.

This is welcome news for many Montgomery County homeowners who’ve been wanting to buy an electric vehicle but only have curbside parking at home.

The Residential EV Charging Permit Guidelines were developed by the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) and the Department of Transportation (MCDOT).

“We have installed electric vehicle charging stations in many of our parking garages, purchased electric and alternative fueled buses, implemented bike- and e-scooter sharing and many other measures to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “These new EV charging guidelines are the logical next step to encourage a shift to lower emission vehicles and ensure that charging on our public streets is done safely. The result is easy to understand and implement right now, but also allows us to adapt as technology advances.”

Process to Apply for a Curbside EV Charging Station

The Guidelines present five steps and three permitting options which will be guided by the initial determination by DPS.

Step 1: Initial Inquiry

Submit a letter of interest with a site plan.

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