Congress is on the verge of passing historic infrastructure legislation that would fund critical components of our transportation system, while also addressing important issues like climate change. One component of this legislation that President Joe Biden has emphasized is electric vehicle infrastructure. As the exact legislative language is hammered out, it is crucial that it ensures a competitive marketplace for electric-vehicle charging.
Unfortunately, the urge to promote electric vehicles at all costs can result in policies that actually hinder their adoption. Some states have allowed utility companies to pass the construction and operation costs of charging stations onto their current ratepayers. This is problematic for two reasons. First, it allows utility companies to increase the electric bill for all customers, including low-income families. Secondly, it unfairly selects winners and losers in the charging station market. Forcing the private sector to use private funds to install and operate chargers, while allowing public utilities to charge their customers to cover costs, results in fewer charging stations overall due to a lack of a competitive marketplace. Competition leads to cost savings, which can be used to construct more charging stations.
Deciding where to direct resources for electric-vehicle infrastructure will be up to lawmakers like House Transportation Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio. I am confident that Democrats in Congress understand that using a utility model for constructing and operating charging stations is the wrong move and that instead, they will support a competitive market and private sector investment.
Tiffany Hardman, Eugene
