Arizona Corporation Commission Approves Electric Vehicle Plan
The Arizona Corporation Commission voted last Thursday at its July open meeting to move ahead in support of electric vehicle (EV) use in the state. Commissioners approved a plan, written in January, to develop electric vehicle infrastructure in Arizona.
"We want the utilities to start addressing how do we develop the infrastructure for electric vehicles in the state of Arizona so they're available to everyone? Whether you live in Phoenix or in a rural part of the state, whether you use it locally or want to travel across the state — where should the charging stations be?” said Commissioner Boyd Dunn, who authored the original plan.
In August 2018, Boyd Dunn requested a docket be opened on his inquiry into EVs, EV infrastructure, and the electrification of the transportation sector in the state. In November, the commission directed its Utilities Division Staff to develop the policy statement on EVs.
By May 2019, the commission directed staff to develop an implementation plan for the policy. The plan was intended to provide guidelines to public service corporations (PSCs) regulated by the commission on how to best implement the policy. According to the plan, PSCs are encouraged to propose EV pilot programs to the commission for consideration and to focus on infrastructure, education and outreach, rate design, incentives/rebates, as well as cost recovery.
The plan approved July 1 includes potential locations for charging stations, rate designs for those stations and incentives or rebates. Regulators also approved two new fees for Tucson Electric Power to encourage residential customers with electric vehicles to charge during off-peak hours.
