PSC Staff: Utilities Should Not Be Allowed To Own, Operate EV Charging Stations

In supplemental comments concerning an electric vehicle "portfolio" proposed in Maryland, Staff of the Maryland PSC have reiterated that utility-owned and operated EV charging stations should not be allowed.

See background on the portfolio here, which has included proposals for over 1,000 utility-owned EV charging stations

"Utility ownership of chargers does nothing to impact the growth of EVs in Maryland. Utility ownership of public charging stations complicates the way these stations are operated. Staff has previously noted that utility ownership raises concerns with cost allocation and rate design among other issues. If the Portfolio is accepted without this change, the utilities will also be allowed to use their monopoly power and ratepayer funding to enter a competitive market where there may already be multiple businesses that provide this service," Staff said

If utilities are permitted to own EV charging stations, Staff proposed that utilities may only receive half of cost recovery, so that the cost recovery risk is shared

Staff said public EV charging rates for any utility-owned chargers should be approved by the Commission. The energy rate the utilities should provide would be the current SOS rate for small commercial classes to make sure that the rates the utilities charge are reasonable, Staff said