Sponsors
The bill makes interstate EV charging more available and predictable—improving long‑distance EV travel and reducing emissions—while shifting installation/maintenance costs to public budgets and restricting some commercial and funding flexibility for state and local governments.
Drivers of passenger vehicles — including rural and urban long‑distance travelers and middle‑class families — gain access to EV charging at Interstate rest areas, making long trips more convenient and reducing range anxiety.
Urban and rural communities and highway travelers benefit from expanded EV charging at rest areas through reduced tailpipe emissions along interstate corridors and potential local air quality improvements.
EV charging network providers, transportation planners, and related businesses gain clearer, standardized federal permission at rest areas, simplifying planning and deployment of charging infrastructure.
Taxpayers could face higher costs because installing and maintaining EV chargers on Interstate rights‑of‑way may increase federal spending or require new appropriations for rest‑area facilities.
State and local governments may lose clarity or eligibility for some federal transportation funding because the bill narrows MAP‑21 language, complicating program administration and grant access.
Local governments and small businesses near rest areas could lose potential revenue and business opportunities because commercial activities are limited to only what is necessary for charging.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Directs federal permission for EV charging stations for passenger cars at Interstate rest areas, limits activity there to charging-related functions, and updates statute text about natural gas station references.
Introduced August 1, 2025 by Jeff Merkley · Last progress August 1, 2025
Allows electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for passenger cars at Interstate rest areas by directing the Secretary of Transportation to permit such infrastructure despite prior restrictions, while limiting permitted activity at those sites to charging-related functions only. It also makes technical changes to existing highway statute language to clarify references to natural gas refueling stations and includes a non-substantive intent statement about executive authorities.