Rhode Island report outlines strategy for electric vehicle infrastructure

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Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee’s administration submitted a report to the state General Assembly on Dec. 30, providing strategic policy guidance for improving access to electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The Rhode Island Division Motor Vehicles (DMV), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Office of Energy Resources (OER) wrote the report with input from the state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and Department of Health (DOH).

The General Assembly directed DMV, DOT, and OER, during the 2021 legislative session to develop a plan to make electric-vehicle charging stations more accessible to the public.

The report, Electrifying Transportation, A Strategic Policy Guide for Improving Public Access to Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in Rhode Island, identifies several priorities and coordinated actions for this year and the future. These include supporting a 100 percent Renewable Energy Standard; conducting an analysis to understand future impacts on transportation revenue streams; demonstrating progress in electrifying public transit, school buses, and medium- to heavy-duty vehicles; reinvesting in and refining incentive programs for electric vehicles and charging stations; and demonstrating action through commitments and accountability.

“Accelerating our adoption of clean transportation solutions is vital if we are to meet our greenhouse gas emissions reduction mandates under the 2021 Act on Climate,” State Energy Commissioner Nicholas S. Ucci said.

The state’s Act on Climate sets mandatory emissions reduction targets.