Plug-In Sites

Will Fund Backlog of EV Tax Credit Applications

On May 28, 2021, Governor Hogan announced that he would allow a number of bills to become law without his signature. One of the bills on the list was HB 44, The Clean Cars Act of 2021, which authorizes the state’s EV tax credit funding.

PlugInSites followed the progress of electric vehicle legislation in the Maryland General Assembly this year. About half of the EV-related bills passed. In order to become law, they have to be approved by the Governor. The Governor can either sign the bill or let the bill become law without a signature, simply by not vetoing it.

The Maryland Electric Vehicle Tax Credit

The Clean Cars Act of 2021, as introduced, was to extend the state excise tax credit for Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) for two more years. It also was to fund the backlog of applications from EV purchasers who are on the waitlist from the prior EV tax credit program.

The part of the bill that was to extend the EV excise tax credit was removed because of concern over a provision in the federal COVID-19 relief act that prohibits states from using any of the $195 billion of federal aid “to either directly or indirectly offset a reduction” in net tax revenue.

The bill passed with funding to satisfy the backlog of applicants. This is welcome news for the thousands of Maryland residents who have been waiting on their checks of up to $3,000. Some have been waiting for several years.

The law will extend the EV charging equipment rebate as well as increase the annual funding for that program. The Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment Rebate Program will be extended for two more years and the funding will increase from $1.2M to $1.8M annually.

For official information about the Maryland Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles, visit the MVA Website.

Legislation Tracker

Follow the progress of EV related legislation at the PlugInSites Electric Vehicle Legislation Tracker.

This was a good year for Maryland electric vehicle legislation. A number of bills that are of interest to EV drivers passed the legislature and have been sent to Governor Hogan to sign.

PlugInSites followed the progress of over a dozen electric vehicle related bills in the Maryland General Assembly in 2021. About half of the EV bills passed. In general, only about one in three bills pass in Annapolis in any given year, so we did pretty good.

Here is a brief rundown of what passed, what didn’t and what changes were made along the way.

The Maryland Electric Vehicle Tax Credit

The Clean Cars Act of 2021 (HB 44), as introduced, had several goals. First was to fund the backlog of applications from EV purchasers who are on the waitlist from the prior EV tax credit program. Then to extend the tax credit for two more years. And finally it was to extend the EV charging equipment rebate and increase annual funding. The good news is that the funding for the backlog stayed in the bill. That is welcome news for EV drivers who have been waiting for their checks of up to $3,000. In addition, the Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment Rebate Program will be extended for two more years and the funding will increase from $1.2M to $1.8M annually.

Unfortunately, the part of the original bill to extend the EV excise tax credit was removed. This came about because of concern over a provision in the federal COVID-19 relief act that prohibits states from using any of the $195 billion of federal aid “to either directly or indirectly offset a reduction” in net tax revenue. For official information about the Maryland Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles, visit the MVA Website.

Pre-Wiring for EV Charging

House Bill HB 784 to encourage buyers of new residential housing units to pre-wire their homes for EV charging passed in the final hours of the session. This bill was sponsored by my representative, Delegate Jen Terrasa. I testified in support of this bill in the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee along with EV advocate Paul Verchinski who is a big proponent of this legislation. This will ensure that home builders inform buyers that they have the option to include a Level 2 charging station or a dedicated electric line in their garage, carport or driveway. The builder must also provide information about EVSE rebate programs and other incentives.

Right-to-Charge