The 50 States of Electric Vehicles: Utilities Integrate Electric Vehicle Programs into Grid Planning During Q3 2024

The N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) released its Q3 2024 edition of The 50 States of Electric Vehicles. The quarterly series provides insights on state regulatory and legislative discussions and actions on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

The report finds that 35 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, took actions related to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure during Q3 2024 (see figure below), with the greatest number of actions relating to rebate and grant programs; electric vehicle rate design for commercial and residential customers; charging infrastructure planning activities; and rules governing parking for publicly available charging stations. States also continued to take actions planning for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program funding distribution.

A total of 356 electric vehicle actions were taken during Q3 2024, with the most active states being Massachusetts, New York, California, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. So far in 2024, 31 states have enacted legislation related to transportation electrification, as of early October 2024.

Q3 2024 State and Utility Action on Electric Vehicles

The report discusses three trends in electric vehicle actions taken in Q2 2024: (1) states filing annual updates for their NEVI programs with the federal government, (2) utilities integrating electric vehicle programs into broader grid planning actions, and (3) utilities pursuing line extension allowances for electric vehicle supply equipment.

"Utilities are proposing electric vehicle and charging programs not just under transportation electrification plans, but also general grid modernization portfolios,” noted Rebekah de la Mora, Senior Policy Analyst at NCCETC. "From managed charging programs filed under demand-side management programs to charging station incentives within beneficial electrification plans, utilities and regulators are widening the scope of what they consider ‘grid’ improvements.”

The report notes five of the top policy developments of the quarter:

• Delaware lawmakers enacting multiple transportation electrification bills;
• Evergy Kansas requesting approval for a new residential managed charging program;
• Louisiana regulators approving recommendations regarding ownership of charging infrastructure;
• Michigan regulatory staff proposing rules for transportation electrification plans; and
• Rhode Island completing Phase 1 of its NEVI buildout.

"As states continued implementing their NEVI plans, we saw a few states starting to take greater interest in issues related to electric vehicle charging station regulations and interconnection issues with utilities,” observed Brian Lips, Senior Project Manager at NCCETC. “With NEVI plans updated this quarter, states are also rolling out federal funds through ongoing solicitation requests to build out their fast charging infrastructure.”

NC Clean Energy Technology Center | http://www.nccleantech.ncsu.edu