Senate approves Sen. Lombardo’s bill to improve
RI’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure

 

 

STATE HOUSE – The Senate on Thursday approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Frank Lombardo III to better prepare Rhode Island for the rapid growth of electric vehicles on the state’s roadways.

 

The legislation (2023-S 0988) would require that new and expanded parking lots include a certain percentage of electric vehicle charging stations.

 

New parking lots, and lots that undergo an expansion of 50 percent or more parking spaces, would be required to include electric vehicle charging stations according to the following ratio of parking spaces to minimum charging stations:

          

6-10 spaces: 1 station.

            11-25 spaces: 2 stations.

            26-45 spaces: 3 stations.

            46-65 spaces: 4 stations.

            66-85 spaces: 5 stations.

            86-105 spaces: 6 stations.

            106-150 spaces: 7 stations.

            151-200 spaces: 10 stations.

            201 or more spaces: 6 percent of total.

 

“Drivers will be reluctant to purchase electric vehicles if they are worried about where they’ll be able to charge them,” said Sen. Lombardo (D-Dist. 25, Johnston). “This legislation helps address that issue, ensuring wider availability of charging stations and better positioning our state for the coming EV revolution.”

 

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.