SPONSOR:

Rep. Griffith & Rep. Q. Johnson & Sen. Hansen

Rep. Baumbach

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

150th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 177

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING.

WHEREAS, ownership of electric vehicles is steadily increasing both in Delaware and nationally; and

WHEREAS, a constraining factor of electric vehicle ownership is charging infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, a constraining factor of electric vehicle ownership is charging infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, electric vehicles can help to reduce local air pollution relative to internal combustion engine powered vehicles, thereby having public health and environmental benefits in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, electric vehicles can help to reduce local air pollution relative to internal combustion engine powered vehicles, thereby having public health and environmental benefits in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, electric vehicles have relatively lower emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases linked to climate change relative to internal combustion powered vehicles, thereby lowering Delaware’s contribution to climate change and having public health and environmental benefits in Delaware and beyond; and

WHEREAS, electric vehicles have relatively lower emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases linked to climate change relative to internal combustion powered vehicles, thereby lowering Delaware’s contribution to climate change and having public health and environmental benefits in Delaware and beyond; and

WHEREAS, several state agencies, as part of pilot projects, host electric vehicle charging stations, but do not currently have a way to recoup the costs of electricity used to operate the stations; and

WHEREAS, several state agencies, as part of pilot projects, host electric vehicle charging stations, but do not currently have a way to recoup the costs of electricity used to operate the stations; and

WHEREAS, in conjunction with Delaware’s existing policies supporting the development of renewable energy resources the adoption of electric vehicles can further support the public health and environmental benefits to Delaware, it is therefore important to reduce the barriers to electric vehicle ownership caused by a relative lack of charging infrastructure, including by providing charging locations while visiting state-owned facilities.

WHEREAS, in conjunction with Delaware’s existing policies supporting the development of renewable energy resources the adoption of electric vehicles can further support the public health and environmental benefits to Delaware, it is therefore important to reduce the barriers to electric vehicle ownership caused by a relative lack of charging infrastructure, including by providing charging locations while visiting state-owned facilities.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (Three-fifths of all members elected to each house thereof concurring therein):

Section 1. Amend § 8062, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 8062 State of Delaware Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure.

(a) As used in this section:

(1) “Agency” shall have the meaning set forth in 29 Del. C. § 6301(1).

(2) “Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment” or “EVSE” means equipment that connects an Electric Vehicle to an external source of electricity to recharge the Electric Vehicle’s internal battery.

(3) “Electric Vehicle” or “EV” means a motor vehicle, as that term is defined in 21 Del. C. § 101(37), that uses one or more electric motors for propulsion and which is powered through an internal battery, which is charged using an external electricity source. Electric Vehicle includes both plug-in hybrid vehicles, which operate with an electric motor that can be plugged into an external electric power source to charge the internal battery and also an internal combustion engine, and all- electric vehicles, which operate solely from an internal electric battery.

(b) Any Agency which has installed EVSE may, at its discretion, make such EVSE available for use by the public and/or employees. Any Agency which seeks to charge an amount for usage of any EVSE shall coordinate with the Office of Management and Budget on setting and adjusting, as may be necessary, fees for the use of such EVSE, which fees shall not exceed the State’s costs associated with the EVSE.

SYNOPSIS

This Act amends the Delaware Energy Act to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles in the State by creating more accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Specifically this Act permits State Agencies to allow public use of electric vehicle charging stations installed by the Agency, to charge a reasonable fee for such use, and to reimburse the appropriate State Agency which procured the underlying electricity used.