EV Charging Station Outlets May Be Required In Newly Built Homes

Bowie MD

18 April, 2022

11:35 AM

Description

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — The County Council in Prince George's County has been contemplating legislation that would require all newly constructed houses to include 240-volt outlets that could accommodate charging stations for electric vehicles. If the council approves such legislation this spring, it would apply to certain kinds of new housing built in the county beginning in July 2023. "The future is EV," council member and bill co-sponsor Dannielle Glaros told WTOP. "We're seeing rapid, rapid increase in EV vehicles across the country and definitely in the state of Maryland." Council member Tom Dernoga of Laurel noted during a recent council meeting that similar laws already have been passed in Howard and Frederick counties. During that meeting, member Todd Turner expressed concern about the cost of requiring such a feature in a home and if it is one that every potential homeowner would actually want. Dernoga explained that retrofitting a home would cost much more. "People may not think they want it today, but the way people are looking at gas prices … plus if you sell your house the next buyer may want it," Dernoga said.