BGE proposes a $120M investment in EV programs

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) has proposed roughly $120 million for new electric vehicle (EV) programs to benefit customers and support Maryland’s 2022 Climate Solutions Now Act and Advanced Clean Cars II Rule.

The proposed initiatives include make-ready infrastructure incentives for any utility work that needs to be done as well as the cost to install public charging stations; make-ready infrastructure incentives for customers to purchase electric medium and heavy-duty buses to help electrify the transit system; an additional 200 charging stations at multifamily properties across the service territory; and expanded residential managed charging and time-of-use (TOU) rates to help maintain grid reliability. The current vehicle charging TOU rate program has 2,022 customers enrolled and continues to grow.

“By expanding our EV programming, BGE is meeting environmental challenges and expectations head-on by focusing on the technology and infrastructure investments needed to power a brighter and better future for our customers,” Carim Khouzami, BGE’s president and CEO, said. “Transportation is one of the largest sources of carbon emissions in the state. That’s why BGE’s EVsmart program is leading the charge across Maryland to help the State reach its goal of net zero emissions by 2045.”

The programs are subject to review by the Maryland Public Service Commission, but if approved, they will launch in 2024.

BGE has offered EV programs since 2019, including rebates for residential, multi-family and workplace stations. Among its initiatives, BGE is installing 500 public charging stations and 100 multifamily stations across central Maryland.

BGE also proposed the Electric School Bus Pilot Program in March 2023, through which it plans to offer rebates for purchasing electric school buses as well as the charging infrastructure. And starting in June, BGE is offering is offering incentives, rebates, and technical assessments for commercial customers with five or more vehicles.

“To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, curb our dependency on fossil fuels, and further promote a clean energy economy, the Maryland General Assembly has made the sound policy choice to promote EV ownership,” State Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo, who represents District 15 in Montgomery County, said. “To reach our ambitious EV ownership and emission reduction goals, we must encourage innovation and resourcefulness from entities in the best position to pursue electrification. BGE’s EVsmart programs are a step in the right direction toward these ends.”

BGE is Maryland’s largest natural gas and electric utility with more than 1.3 million electric customers and 700,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland.