WSDA Communications
The same team at WSDA that inspects gas stations and fuel pumps for accuracy and quality, is now working on regulations for the charging stations where electric vehicle drivers refuel their batteries - and they want to hear from electric car owners.
A bill passed in the last legislative session directed WSDA to develop rules that include requiring charging stations to offer multiple payment options. The new rules are meant to allow any driver of an electric vehicle the ability to use a charging station, including drivers who would fall in the low to moderate income bracket and those who don’t have a bank account.
In initial public meetings this past summer to develop the rules, WSDA heard from representatives of electric vehicle manufacturers and companies that produce the charging equipment, but not much from electric vehicle drivers.
“Not only do we have little input directly from those who use the charging stations, we don’t have any from drivers who don’t have an EV charging membership, or those who fall in the low or moderate income levels,” said Tim Elliott, Motor Fuel Quality and Enforcement Manager for WSDA.
As electric vehicles become more prevalent, it is expected that they will also become more accessible to a wider range of consumers, including those on a tighter budget, he said.
“We would like to hear not just from those who drive electric vehicles today, but people who would like to own one in the future,” Elliott said.
You can visit agr.wa.gov to learn more about the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment rulemaking. You can also email TElliott@agr.wa.gov to reach the Weights and Measures Program for more information or to provide input on electric vehicle charging stations and the current rulemaking effort.