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119-s-2653119th CongressWALLET

RECHARGE Act

Sponsored By: Senator Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

Introduced

Summary

Authorizes EV charging at Interstate rest areas. This bill would let the Secretary of Transportation permit electric vehicle charging for passenger cars at rest areas on the Interstate System while keeping commercial uses limited to what is necessary for charging and consistent with existing highway rules.

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  • Drivers and travelers: EV drivers would gain more charging options along interstates, helping reduce long-trip range gaps.
  • State transportation agencies and rest-area operators: States could approve installations at rest areas but must follow section 109(s) and limit on-site commercial activity to charging needs.
  • Charging networks and private providers: Providers would be allowed to install and operate chargers at rest areas only for vehicle charging under the new permission.
  • Program language updates: The bill updates related statutory references in the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program and MAP-21 to reflect charging-related facilities.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Allow EV charging at interstate rest areas

If enacted, the Secretary of Transportation would be allowed to permit electric vehicle charging equipment at Interstate rest areas. The permission would apply only to passenger automobiles as defined in 49 U.S.C. 32901(a). Charging sites must follow section 109(s) and could only operate for EV charging. Commercial activity on highway rights-of-way would be limited to what is needed for charging.

Legal fixes for charging and refueling

If enacted, the bill would remove an explicit reference to electric vehicle battery charging stations in one MAP-21 clause. It would change CMAQ wording to refer to natural gas vehicle refueling stations. The bill would also say it is not a statement of Congress about agency authority under 23 U.S.C. 111. These are wording and interpretive changes, not new funding.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

OR • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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