Summary
• The Council of the District of Columbia passed a new bill to bolster EV charging with a “right to charge” law for homeowners and renters
• The bill requires new or renovated units to have EV chargers installed
• Renters can petition their building’s owner to add EV charging and they would be required to comply in certain circumstances
• The bill establishes an Electric Vehicle Charging Incentive Program to create vouchers for property owners
• The bill, if signed into law by Mayor Muriel Bowser, would provide government funding and new regulations to guarantee charging access for renters and people in multi-family units
Article
The Council of the District of Columbia recently passed a bill that will enhance EV charging by implementing a “right to charge” law for homeowners and renters. Councilman Charles Allen expects the bill to result in thousands of new chargers being installed within the next few years. The new law requires new or renovated units to have chargers installed and allows renters to petition their building’s owner to add EV charging, with compliance required in certain circumstances.
Electric vehicle adoption in multi-family units has been a common barrier, prompting Washington, D.C. to address the issue by passing a bill that grants residents the right to charge their EVs. The bill provides funding and regulations to guarantee charging access at renovated buildings and gas stations, emphasizing the importance of ensuring plug access for renters and individuals living in multi-family units. The legislation would require all new or substantially improved commercial and multi-unit buildings to include setups for EV chargers in parking garages or lots, as well as provide dedicated EV parking spaces.
Under the bill, newly built or renovated single-family homes with driveway parking spots or garages must have at least a standard plug for Level 1 charging. Condo unit owners or owner associations are granted the right to install EV charging ports, and landlords are required to comply with renter requests to install chargers, provided they meet safety and insurance rules. The legislation establishes an Electric Vehicle Charging Incentive Program to create vouchers for property owners to cover the cost of plug installation, providing financial assistance for landlords to get the job done. Additionally, gas stations projected to sell more than one million gallons of gasoline per year will have to add a fast-charging station starting in October 2025.
The bill aims to address concerns about range anxiety and lack of charging infrastructure, signaling the availability of numerous chargers in places where people live, work, and shop. While the bill still needs approval from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and may face legal challenges, it represents a significant step towards ensuring charging access for all residents, similar to laws in several other states. Despite strong EV growth in the U.S., EV charger installations have not kept pace with demand, particularly for apartment-dwellers and city residents.
In the District of Columbia, EV growth has been significant, with around 8,100 electric vehicles registered in the city as of 2023, representing a 37% increase from the previous year. Given the limited availability of single-family homes in D.C., the bill’s comprehensive provisions would provide charging access to a community of drivers with limited options. As EVs continue to gain popularity, laws like this one could play a crucial role in promoting EV adoption and addressing infrastructure challenges.
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