Electric Vehicle Fuel Sold at Retail - Equipment Requirements, Units of Measure, and Fees
Summary
SB649 establishes statewide requirements for the retail sale of electricity used as vehicle fuel, which primarily affects electric vehicle charging stations and other retail EV-fueling equipment. The bill requires the owner or possessor of a weight and measure used for retail EV charging to clearly display the name, address, and phone number of a local responsible person, and allows that information to be posted on or immediately adjacent to the equipment.
The bill also standardizes how electricity sold as vehicle fuel must be measured and charged. Retail electricity used as vehicle fuel must be measured and sold in kilowatt-hours, and customers may be charged only for the kilowatt-hours dispensed during a charging session. In addition, the Comptroller must determine and publish an annual minimum price for retail electricity sold as vehicle fuel by July 1 each year.
SB649 further authorizes charging-station operators to impose additional service fees related to the retail sale of electricity, including fixed fees or time-based fees, so long as they are itemized on the customer’s receipt and may be applied at the conclusion of a charging session. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and amends Maryland’s Agriculture Article by adding a new section governing these retail EV-fuel sales practices.
The overall sentiment appears supportive, as the bill passed both chambers with substantial majorities and was enacted into law. The recorded votes show broad approval, though not unanimity, indicating some legislative concern or disagreement. A floor amendment offered by Delegate Hornberger was rejected, suggesting there was at least one unsuccessful attempt to change the bill’s approach.
The main points of contention likely centered on regulation of EV charging pricing and fees, including whether the state should set a minimum price, require kilowatt-hour-only billing, and permit separate service fees. These provisions affect charging-station operators, consumers, and state regulators by creating clearer billing rules while also imposing compliance and disclosure requirements on retail EV charging businesses.
Impact
SB649 adds a new section to the Agriculture Article governing retail sales of electricity as a vehicle fuel, bringing EV charging equipment and pricing practices under explicit state law. It requires standardized measurement in kilowatt-hours, mandates disclosure of a responsible local contact for the equipment, directs the Comptroller to publish an annual minimum retail price, and permits itemized service fees under specified conditions. The bill primarily affects EV charging station owners/operators, consumers purchasing charging services, and the Comptroller’s office, which must establish and publish the minimum price.
Sentiment
The bill’s legislative reception was generally favorable. It passed third reading in both chambers by comfortable margins, indicating broad bipartisan or cross-faction support for clarifying EV charging billing and equipment rules. The rejection of a floor amendment suggests some disagreement over details, but the final votes show the measure was not especially controversial overall.
Contention
The likely areas of disagreement were the bill’s regulatory approach to EV charging prices and fees. Critics may have objected to the Comptroller setting a minimum price, to restrictions requiring billing by kilowatt-hour rather than other methods, or to the allowance of separate service fees that could increase consumer costs. Supporters likely viewed the bill as a consumer-protection and transparency measure that standardizes billing and improves accountability for retail EV charging operators.