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SB 649

Electric Vehicle Fuel Sold at Retail - Equipment Requirements, Units of Measure, and Fees

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Shelly Hettleman

SB 649 standardizes retail EV charging sales regulations in Maryland, requiring uniform equipment standards, pricing transparency, and measurement units similar to gasoline fuel sales.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 280
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 649

Legislative bill overview

SB 649 establishes standardized requirements for retail sale of electric vehicle (EV) charging as a commodity, similar to how gasoline is sold. The bill sets specifications for charging equipment, defines units of measure for electricity sales, establishes pricing transparency standards, and authorizes regulatory fees for oversight of EV charging stations at retail locations.

Why is this important

As EV adoption accelerates, standardizing how charging is sold protects consumers from inconsistent pricing and unclear billing while creating a predictable regulatory framework for charging station operators. This positions Maryland to develop a functional EV charging market with consumer protections comparable to traditional fuel sales.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost burden on small operators: Requiring compliance with new equipment and measurement standards may disadvantage independent charging station operators compared to large networks with established infrastructure
  • Fee structure ambiguity: The bill's authorization of regulatory fees lacks specifics on how much fees could be, potentially creating unpredictable operating costs for station owners
  • Interoperability concerns: Standardizing units of measure and equipment could either facilitate or restrict competition depending on implementation details not specified in the bill language

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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