Transportation

Fuel retailers call on feds to incentivize existing service stations to incorporate EV charging stations

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August 24, 2022

Trade groups representing truck stops, travel centers and convenience stores are urging the Department of Transportation to incentivize the nation's existing refueling locations to incorporate EV charging into their fueling options as it implements the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula grant program.

NATSO, representing truck stops and travel centers, along with SIGMA: America's Leading Fuel Marketers and the National Association of Convenience Stores, wants the federal grant program to support policies that impact EV fast chargers, according to a press release.

If federal investments are made without any effort to drive policy and market reforms, or with unnecessary strings attached, the groups believe the NEVI grant program will result in charging stations being placed in undesirable locations, limiting consumer interest in purchasing EVs and minimizing private companies' desire to invest in charging stations.

Fuel retailers want DOT to do the following:

• Rather than forcing states to meet an arbitrary 50-mile requirement where it isn't feasible, DOT should ensure that states can administer the program in accordance with their specific needs, especially in rural states, working with the private sector as required by law.
• Prevent regulated utilities from imposing exorbitant rate hikes on their monthly customers to underwrite NEVI-funded charging station investments that the private sector is willing to make.
• Encourage states to allow EV charging station operators to sell electricity to EV drivers without being regulated as a utility. In many states, utilities are opposing efforts by prospective charging station operators to generate their own electricity to power their charging stations. This opposition reflects an effort by regulated utilities to undermine the case for private investment in charging stations and inhibits EV penetration.