Advanced Energy Economy releases brief to help state regulators prepare for surge in electric vehicles
Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) released yesterday an issue brief, EVs 101: A Regulatory Plan for America’s Electric Transportation Future, which outlines seven steps state regulators should take to prepare for a surge in electric vehicles.
AEE noted that while electric vehicles (EVs) currently make up a small percentage of vehicle sales, their numbers are expected to increase significantly in the coming years.
According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), global sales of EVs reached 1.1 million worldwide in 2017. BNEF forecasts that global sales will reach 11 million in 2025 and 30 million in 2030.
“Electric vehicles are coming, and regulators across the country are starting to grapple with what that means for utilities and the electric power system,” Matt Stanberry, vice president of market development for AEE, said. “There are tremendous benefits to be gained from vehicle electrification for not only drivers and fleet owners, but also ratepayers and the electric power grid. This issue brief can point regulators in the right direction to capture those benefits.”
According to the brief, state regulators should “establish an electric vehicle regulatory framework; consider roles for various stakeholders in electric vehicle charging infrastructure ownership and financing; adjust utility planning and operations to fully integrate electric vehicles; implement rate designs for an electric vehicle future; ensure that vulnerable populations are not left behind; educate consumers; and prioritize consideration of medium- and heavy-duty fleets.”
AEE is currently offering the plan for download on their website.
