Legislation advanced Thursday by Wisconsin’s budget committee would allow gas stations and grocery stores statewide to more easily operate electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. The unanimously-passed proposal would also let Wisconsin access over $78 million in federal funds — originally approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2022 — that aims to increase the state’s network of EV charging stations. The legislation needs to be passed and signed by March 31 for the state to receive those funds.
Current law dictates that a business wishing to operate EV charging stations must be regulated as a utility. Senate Bill 791 would exempt private businesses from that rule and require that they sell electricity by the kilowatt-hour (or amount used) rather than by length of charging time.
EV charging stations are characterized as Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 at present, with the third level being the fastest in terms of vehicle charging time. An excise tax of three cents per kilowatt-hour would be imposed statewide on electricity sold through Level 3 EV charging stations as well as any new charging stations.
