Bills expanding state electric vehicle infrastructure signed into law

MADISON, Wis. (Civic Media) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is signing a pair of bills into law that will expand the state’s electric vehicle infrastructure.

The bills will allow Wisconsin to receive over $78 million in federal funding to expand the number electric vehicle charging stations across the state.

“Expanding EV charging infrastructure is a critical part of our work to ensure Wisconsin is ready to compete and build the future we want for our kids—one that is cleaner, more sustainable, and more efficient,” Evers said. “We don’t have to choose between protecting our environment and natural resources or creating good-paying jobs and infrastructure to meet the needs of a 21st-Century economy—in Wisconsin, we’re doing both.”

BREAKING: This morning, I signed two bills enabling our state to use $78 million from @POTUS' Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bolster EV infrastructure statewide.

These bills will ensure charging is quicker, easier, and more available for drivers across the state. pic.twitter.com/IPdOzjXwPE

— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) March 20, 2024

Senate Bill 791, which is now Wisconsin Act 121, unlocks the federal funds for the state for the next five years. The new law allows businesses to sell electricity by the kilowatt hour and changes how electric charging stations are taxed. It also exempts chargers from being regulated as a public utility.

Senate Bill 792, which is now Wisconsin Act 122, creates a brand-new electric vehicle infrastructure program at the state’s Department of Transportation. The program will administer the federal funding to support businesses that want to add electric vehicle charging stations near Wisconsin’s main highways.

Both bills had passed both the Assembly and Senate overwhelmingly.

“Thanks to Gov. Evers signing this critical legislation into law, Wisconsin will soon have the infrastructure to support the increased demand for electric vehicles,” Craig Thompson, Dept. of Transportation Secretary, said. “Electric vehicle drivers in Wisconsin will soon be able to travel about 85 percent of our state highway system and never be more than 25 miles away from a charger.”

In a release, Evers took a shot at Republicans who excluded similar provisions for electric vehicles in the governor’s proposed biennial budget. Evers noted that had the changes to electric vehicle charging stations been included in the budget signed into law, the state would be further along in developing the infrastructure for the stations.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said that he thought the federal money was wasted and called electric vehicle charging stations a “boondoggle.” Vos said the money should instead go towards fixing roads.