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Policy Change Allows Businesses to Sell EV Charging Services

Oregon Department of Transportation

The Public Service Commission of Utah is changing a rule that will make it easier for businesses to install charging stations for electric vehicles.

The rule change clarifies a part of Utah code to allow businesses and other entities to install electric vehicle charging stations and charge users for access. Until the change it wasn’t clear if making people pay to use an electric vehicle charging station would be considered the resale of electricity, something that is illegal in the state. David Eskelsen is a spokesman for Rocky Mountain Power. He says they proposed the rule change after receiving several questions about the issue from electric vehicle owners, dealerships, and car rental companies.

“We’re certainly pleased to craft this rule change and provide the clarity that these customers need in order to do what they need to do to satisfy their own usage patterns and perhaps, the needs of customers,” he says.

Some environmental groups say they hope the change will help encourage businesses to invest in electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Owners of the charging stations will be allowed to charge whatever they’d like for their services.

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