Smart Charging Pilot

In March 2020, the State Corporation Commission in Virginia approved Dominion Energy’s request to fund a smart charging pilot program. More information is available at Docket No. PUR-2019-00154.

EV Grid Impact Study

In March 2020, the State Corporation Commission in Virginia established a new docket to study the impact of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure on the grid. In the docket, regulators requested information on the development and projected growth of EV charging infrastructure and ownership models, rate design, and storage issues. More information is available here. A comment period is currently open until June 2020.

Electric School Bus Pilot Program

In January 2020, Dominion announced it will deliver fifty electric school buses to sixteen localities throughout Virginia by the end of the year through its pilot program. Dominion will begin installing charging infrastructure for the buses in summer 2020.

Retail fee-based EV charging approved

A new bill, HB 1934, which was signed by the Governor, will allow Virginia’s Department of General Services, Department of Motor Vehicles, and Department of Transportation to operate retail fee-based charging stations for EVs on any property or facility controlled by the agency. The charging services must be offered at prevailing market rates.


Regional and National Updates

  • Zero-Emission Vehicles Act of 2019

Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and Representative Mike Levin (D-CA-49) have introduced in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act of 2019. This Act presents a bold plan for transitioning the United States to 100% zero-emission vehicles.

This plan will position the United States to lead the world in vehicle innovation, tackle climate chaos, and reduce asthma attacks and premature deaths caused by the pollution gasoline engines produce.

  • Electric Vehicle Federal Tax Credit Repeal Bill

U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman John Barrasso introduced the “Fairness for Every Driver Act” which would repeal the federal electric vehicle tax credit and impose a new fee on those who choose to drive electric vehicles.

  • Car Rules Lawsuit:

Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced legislation to safeguard clean car standards from rollback attempts. The “Clean and Efficient Cars Act” would codify the greenhouse gas and corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for model years 2021 to 2025. Seventeen states, along with ride-hailing company Lyft, have joined together to challenge the EPA’s decision to roll back Obama-era car emissions standards. Several automakers had a meeting at the White House in March to discuss the standards.

Energy Efficient Transportation