BCUC welcomes approval to grant regulatory exemption to Electric Vehicle Charging Service providers

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Exempt EV charging service providers will not need BCUC approval to set rates for EV charging serivces in British Columbia. — Photo courtesy Ford/GreenBiz

The British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) has received approval from the Honourable Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, to make electric vehicle (EV) charging service providers who are not otherwise public utilities, as well as landlords and strata corporations, exempt from Part 3 of the Utilities Commission Act, other than sections 25 and 38 which pertain to safety. This approval has been outlined in Ministerial Order No. M104.

This exemption was the result of a BCUC recommendation to the Government of BC outlined in the BCUC EV Charging Service Inquiry (Inquiry) Phase 1 Report, which requested the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources issue an exemption with respect to the BCUC’s regulation of EV charging services but retain oversight on safety. The exemption applies to EV charging service providers who are not existing public utilities, which includes but is not limited to some landlords, strata corporations, private companies and parkade owners.

The Panel found that the public EV charging market, including landlords and strata corporations did not exhibit monopoly characteristics. With this exemption, the exempt EV charging service provider will not need BCUC approval to set rates for EV charging services in British Columbia. Competition in the EV charging market could incentivize providers to ensure rates are competitive, and less regulatory oversight may encourage greater participation in the market.

To review the Panel’s detailed findings and recommendations please refer to the Electric Vehicle Charging Service Inquiry Phase 1 Report here. The Inquiry is now in Phase 2 which focuses on the regulatory framework for EV charging service providers that are otherwise public utilities and have not been recommended for exemption (e.g. BC Hydro and FortisBC).