Florida PSC greenlights three optional electric vehicle charging tariffs from Florida Power & Light

The Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) approved three optional electric vehicle (EV) charging pilot tariffs proposed by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) this week.

These tariffs will provide new charging opportunities through various measures over the course of five years, beginning Jan. 1, 2021. Annual reports will be required to allow the FPSC to monitor a new charging rate and two associated tariffs. Before the end of the five-year span, FPL will be required to apply to extend, modify, or terminate the tariffs.

“Continued growth of the electric-vehicle industry will require widespread charging infrastructure and appropriate electricity plans to enable deployment along state highways,” FPSC Chairman Gary Clark said. “We determined that FPL offering a utility-based rate as an option to EV customers during the industry’s developmental stage promotes the public interest and is expected to provide value to customers.”

A tariff known as Utility-Owned Public Charging for Electric Vehicles will create a charging rate for utility-owned direct current fast charging stations. It sets a price of $0.30 kWh for electricity sold to users of these stations. The rate is based on a comparison of a cost-per-mile basis of recent gas prices.

The other two tariffs, Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Riders for General Service Demand and General Service Large Demand, are meant to reduce the impact of demand changes brought about by charging stations with low utilization. They will create a rate for competitive market charging stations operating in FPL’s service area. However, a threshold will be put in place on the demand charge associated with general service rates.