SUBJECT: SB 454 (Corbett): EV Charging Stations Open Access Act

DATE: May 1, 2013
TO: Transportation Policy Committee
FROM: Bena Chang, Director, Housing & Transportation

ACTION

Consider taking a position on SB 454 (Corbett) on access to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

BACKGROUND

In 2012, Governor Brown issued an executive order to establish benchmarks for commercializing zero-emission vehicles including a goal of 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles in California by 2015. This bill seeks to assist the deployment of EVs by making it easier to charge at public charging stations. Currently, several Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) providers run on a subscription or membership-based business model. According to the author’s office, public charging stations often require a subscription or membership to access the station. This causes some drivers to carry multiple EV membership cards. SB 454 seeks to ensure easy access to EV charging stations by:

- Allowing anyone to access to public EV charging station by paying via credit card or mobile technology. EVSE providers cannot deny charging to nonmembers, but they can choose to charge additional charges for nonmembers.

- Requiring the price for nonmember charging to be clearly shown at the station.

- Allowing the California Energy Commission (CEC) to adopt interoperability billing standards if it chooses. If the CEC chooses to provide standards, it must consider other governmental or industry-developed standards.

- Requiring providers of public charging stations to disclose to the public and the State Energy Resources Conversation and Development Commission the location of the station, the schedule of fees, acceptable methods of payment, and network roaming charges for nonmembers.

- Requiring the Department of Consumer Affairs to have a toll-free number, an email address or a website where people can file complaints on EVSE providers.

The bill only applies to public charging stations and doesn’t apply to private stations (including employer charging stations).

ANALYSIS

The Leadership Group supports EV technology as a tool in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Historically, the Leadership Group has been technology neutral and has supported a level playing field that maximizes competition.

ChargePoint and ECOtality, both Leadership Group members, oppose the bill unless it is amended. Their full comment letter is attached. To summarize, one of their central concerns is that SB 454 unnecessarily replicates voluntary industry-lead efforts to establish standards. ChargePoint and ECOtality have formed Collaboratev to find industry-generated solutions to interoperability and centralized information on charging stations. At the same time, several groups like the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) are also developing national interoperability standards.

Secondly, ChargePoint and ECOtality want the ability to address complaints before they are publicized by a state agency. The author’s office acknowledges this concern and is working to find mutually-agreeable language.

Finally, ChargePoint and ECOtality raise concerns that there is no funding in the bill to support retrofitting existing stations or other actions that support interoperability.

SUPPORTERS

Plug In America (sponsor)
Greenlots
Luskin Center for Innovation at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
Sierra Club of California

OPPONENTS

ChargePoint
ECOtality