By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would prevent condominium associations, neighborhood conservation districts and historic district commissions, from prohibiting or unreasonably restricting owners from installing EV charging equipment in or near an owner’s parking space.

Restrictions that significantly increase the cost of the equipment, decrease its efficiency or effectively prohibit its installation would not be permitted. The bill would also require owners to pay the costs of installing and maintaining the charging equipment and for the costs of the electricity consumed during charging.

“As the commonwealth moves away from gas powered vehicles, we are going to need increased access to electric vehicle charging stations,” said co-sponsor Rep. Michelle Ciccolo (D-Lexington). “With 40 percent of emissions coming out of our transportation systems, it is essential that we make operating an electric vehicle as seamless as owning a gas vehicle. For that reason, we can’t have local siting boards prioritize aesthetics over access to charging.”