The Public Service Commission of Maryland convened its fourth Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Working Group meeting on September 22, 2024, to discuss critical frameworks and regulations for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The meeting focused on two primary areas: uptime reliability and accuracy of charging stations, as well as the enforcement of standards across different types of chargers.

The session began with a review of the STRAW framework, which outlines the group's objectives regarding uptime reliability and accuracy. Members were prompted to consider whether these two aspects should be treated separately or together in their recommendations. The discussion highlighted the need for a structured approach to enforcement, suggesting that different tiers of enforcement might be necessary depending on the type of chargers being evaluated.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the document that captures previous discussions and outlines questions for group members to address. This document includes considerations for registration, data reporting, and tracking enforcement. Members were encouraged to think critically about whether all charging stations should face penalties for not meeting standards or if violations should be treated as reporting issues instead.

The meeting also touched on the administration of budgets related to these standards. It was noted that clarity on which chargers would fall under the framework would influence budget considerations. Members were urged to provide feedback on the framework before the next meeting.

The latter part of the meeting involved a detailed walkthrough of uptime measurements, referencing the standards set by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. The group discussed the necessity of establishing various payment options for users of electric vehicle supply equipment, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and ease of payment for customers. It was noted that NEVI requires multiple payment methods, including credit card and mobile payment options, and that these requirements would be incorporated into contracts with service providers.

Overall, the meeting underscored the importance of developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for electric vehicle charging stations in Maryland. Members were tasked with prioritizing questions and considerations to guide future discussions and decisions. The next steps include gathering responses to the proposed framework and continuing to refine the standards for electric vehicle infrastructure in the state.