Prince George’s County EV-Ready Legislation Advances in Council Vote

The people of Prince George’s County, Maryland may benefit from more electric vehicle charging infrastructure being installed in new residential and commercial construction, thanks to the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in Multifamily and Commercial Developments Act (CB-105-2024). The bill, which recently passed its first phase through the County Council, would require new and significantly renovated developments to include EV charging stations or “EV-Ready” infrastructure in parking lots and garages.

Key Amendments to the Bill

Initially, the legislation proposed that 20% of parking spaces be EV-Ready (pre-wired with a dedicated 40A circuit) and an additional 60% be EV-Capable (having panel capacity and raceways to support future installation). However, recent amendments reduced the EV-Ready requirement to 10%, and the EV-Capable mandate was removed entirely. Additionally, the start date for these requirements has been delayed from January 1, 2025, to January 1, 2027.

Supporting Access to EV Charging

Councilmember Wala Blegay, a key supporter of the bill, believes the legislation is crucial for making EV charging more accessible and convenient for residents. “I personally wanted to buy an EV but frankly didn’t because I saw there were limitations on where I could charge.” 

Ensuring Charging Station Reliability

A key provision of the bill is the EVSE Maintenance Standard, which places responsibility on property owners to maintain EV charging stations in “good condition in all respects, including the functioning of equipment” ensuring that equipment remains functional and reliable—a growing concern in EV infrastructure.

Mixed Reactions

While the bill has garnered support from groups like the Sierra Club, Blink Charging, and the Greater Washington Clean Cities Coalition, it has also faced opposition. Sarah Price from the Maryland Retailers Alliance expressed concerns about requiring all commercial properties to provide EV charging, arguing that such services are better left to companies already specializing in EV infrastructure.

Despite the pushback, Blegay noted that Howard and Montgomery counties have passed similar legislation, signaling a broader regional commitment to enhancing EV infrastructure. A final vote on the bill is expected in the coming weeks, which could make these changes law and pave the way for more accessible EV charging in Prince George’s County.