EV chargers

... for all those folks here who subscribe to the Baltimore Sun ... John T.

I assumed they gave a few free hits each month. They don't?

Maryland officials are pumping the brakes on a program under which utilities such as Baltimore Gas and Electric installed electric vehicle charging stations.

The program enabled four Maryland power companies to use ratepayer funds to install chargers at government buildings across the state. But the Maryland Public Service Commission has ordered the utilities to stop installing new chargers, citing concerns about low usage and maintenance issues.

In the coming months, the roughly 5-year-old program will be reevaluated by the commission’s electric vehicle working group to determine what the next steps should be, said Benjamin Baker, a senior commission adviser and leader of the working group.

“It is a ratepayer incentive. It’s not free to put these out there,” Baker said. “So we want to make sure where they’re going is impactful.”

The reassessment could mean the chargers are placed elsewhere in the future, beyond just state, county or municipal government-owned sites such as libraries and offices, where they are located currently. Under the commission’s order, officials will evaluate whether the stations should go only in “underserved” areas.

“Is it appropriate to go broader? Or is it appropriate just to completely stop?” Baker said. “Let’s look at the whole thing as one large picture.”

You mean being able to charge your car when you go in to renew your tabs or license doesn't meet your needs.