Assembly Advances EV Bills

Saturday, February 24th, 2024 -- 8:41 AM

(Anya van Wagtendonk and Rich Kremer, Wisconsin Public Radio) -Lawmakers passed two bills Thursday involving electric vehicles.

One would exempt electric vehicle charging stations from being regulated as utilities. The other would authorize the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to establish and fund an EV infrastructure program. The changes were required to unlock around $78 million in federal funds to build out a state  electric vehicle charging network. “There is demand for electric vehicles. They’re on the road. And I believe people should generally be able to make that choice,” said Rep. Nancy VanderMeer, R-Tomah. “These proposals are important because they take an important first step in providing infrastructure for consumers who have made that choice.”

Republicans amended one of the bills late Thursday to ban local governments from requiring private developers to install electric vehicle charging stations as a condition of receiving a building permit. A City of Madison ordinance requires some multi-family residential buildings and commercial developments to install EV chargers at a small number of parking spots. Both bills passed the Assembly Thursday on near unanimous votes. The funding bill heads to the governor’s desk while the other heads back to the Senate.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.