Head of Texas Environmental group lauds EV charging station bill: 'Good bill!'

On May 19 the Texas House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 1202, a move hailed by Environment Texas Executive Director Luke Metzger.

Texas Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) and Texas Rep. Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) sponsored SB 1202 at the Senate and House Floors respectively.

"The House today approved SB 1202 by Kelly Hancock and Chris Paddie to make clear companies which install electric vehicle charging stations don't have to register as electric utilities (an onerous process which could discourage installations). Good bill!" Metzger posted on Twitter May 19.

The bill relates to the applicability of certain utility provisions to a vehicle charging service. It passed the House with 143 votes and has been sent to the Gov. Greg Abbott's desk for his signature.

“SB 1202 amends the Utilities Code to exclude from consideration as an ‘electric utility’ or a ‘retail electric provider’ for purposes of provisions of the Public Utility Regulatory Act governing electric utilities a person who is not otherwise an electric utility and who owns or operates equipment used solely to provide electricity charging service for consumption by an alternatively fueled vehicle,” the bill analysis stated on LegiScan.

The federal government intends to increase the current estimated 100,000 public charging stations in the country five-fold within the coming years. Installing more stations would mean more access and convenience for charging electric vehicles. Ultimately, the effort is meant to encourage the public to utilize electric vehicles to help reduce America’s carbon footprints, according to ABC8.

“Electric vehicle adoption is accelerating across the country, including in Texas,” the LegiScan bill analysis said. “Electric vehicles in today's market run on rechargeable batteries installed in the vehicle. While the vast majority of electric vehicle charging takes place at the owner's home, there is a growing market for public-use charging stations that may be located off major transit corridors or in places such as large retail shopping centers or garages near office buildings.”

The Biden administration's plan seeks to install electric vehicle charging stations in public parking lots, apartment buildings and rest areas along highways.