T3.6 Utility EV partnerships
Jurisdictions could work with PSE to support pilot programs and incentives for installing vehicle chargers at homes and businesses throughout the region.
In 2018, PSE filed an overview of its thinking about electric vehicle charging and proposed rate structures for some pilots with the UTC. The company also recently started a five year pilot program supplying home chargers to study the potential demands of electric vehicles on the system.
However, HB1512, which passed the Legislature last session, authorizes expanded utility investments to electrify transportation, including investments in “other electric transportation programs, services, or incentives to support electrification of transportation” in addition to those in chargers. PSE would be required to develop a transportation electrification plan approved by the UTC in order to take advantage of these other possibilities.
Dominion Energy has an ambitious program funding charging infrastructure and the difference in costs between electric school buses and diesels for school districts. In return, they’ll use the fleet to provide vehicle to grid services for their system. The company that provides school bus services for New York City is starting a similar program. (With state approval, they plan to bring at least 1,000 electric school buses online by 2025.) White Plains, NY has a successful small pilot program.
“The Future of Transportation Electrification: Utility, Industry and Consumer Perspectives”, surveys the policy issues. (One of the authors is a former Washington State UTC Commissioner.)