PSC Warns EV Charging Service Providers About Need To Obtain Electric Supplier License

The District of Columbia PSC issued a notice reminding electric vehicle charging service providers that they must obtain a license as an electricity supplier, depending on their business model.

The PSC said that under the Energy Innovation and Savings Amendment Act of 2013, if EV charging station owners and operators are not selling electricity, there is no need to obtain an electric supplier license from the Commission.

"However, if EV charging station owners and operators are selling electricity, i.e., setting a price to charge EV owners based on the actual amount or units of electricity that is transferred to the EV during a charging session, the EV charging station owner or operator needs to obtain an electric supplier license from the Commission," the PSC said.

The PSC's Office of Compliance and Enforcement Staff make periodic site visits to monitor the arrangements at EV charging stations in the District.

"After the last round of site visits, the Commission determined that a public notice was necessary to remind all owners or operators of EV charging stations of the provisions of the law in the District," the PSC said.

The PSC said that, currently, there are at least 57 public EV charging stations in the District, as compared to only 15 in May 2012.

FC 1096