Transportation (Electric Vehicles)

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1374: Alternative Fuel, Fuel-Efficient, and Electric Vehicles - Highway Use Fees

HB 1374 replaces the existing annual surcharge for zero-emission and plug-in electric vehicles with a new annual highway use fee for owners of alternative fuel vehicles, fuel-efficient vehicles (25+ MPG), and plug-in electric drive vehicles. It requires these owners to pay the annual fee instead of the previous $100-$125 surcharge, with fees deposited into a dedicated Highway Use Fee Account. The bill also establishes a voluntary mileage-based user fee program administered by the Department of Transportation, allowing vehicle owners to opt into this program instead of paying the annual fee. All funds in the Highway Use Fee Account must be used solely for Maryland’s regional commuter rail service, with strict rules prohibiting diversion to the general fund or other departmental purposes.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyReplaces surcharge for EVs/alternative fuel vehicles with dedicated highway fee, promoting clean energy adoption and infrastructure use.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationReplaces surcharge with highway use fee, deposits funds into dedicated account for infrastructure, directly funding transportation projects per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 824: Vehicle Laws - Licensing of Manufacturers and Distributors as Dealers - Requirements

SB 824 modifies Maryland’s vehicle licensing laws to allow electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and distributors to operate as dealers without needing a franchise from another company. It creates a specific pathway for EV manufacturers/distributors that only sell battery-electric or nonfossil-fuel vehicles, provided they have no existing dealers in Maryland, are not affiliated with other manufacturers that have franchised dealers, and meet ownership requirements. The bill limits this special licensing to no more than four entities and requires applicants to prove compliance with these conditions to the state administration. This directly affects EV-focused companies seeking to sell vehicles directly to consumers in Maryland.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEnables EV manufacturers to operate without franchise barriers, directly promoting electric vehicle adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnables direct EV sales by manufacturers, promoting sustainable transportation through regulatory change for electric vehicles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Electric Vehicles

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1416: State Procurement and Recipients of State Funding - Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment - Minority Business Enterprise Participation

HB 1416 requires state government agencies and recipients of state funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment to set specific minority business enterprise participation targets for contracts involving EV charging equipment supply and installation. It modifies Maryland’s procurement code to mandate that for these contracts, agencies must establish a participation goal equivalent to their overall minority business target, rather than applying a general rate. The bill also directs the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs to create goals and procedures for this specific program, with recipients required to submit reports on compliance. This applies directly to state agencies and entities receiving state funds for EV infrastructure projects, aiming to increase minority-owned business involvement in a growing sector.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates minority participation in EV charging infrastructure procurement, advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 869: Vehicle Laws - Electric Vehicle Dealer Licenses - City of Bowie

HB 869 creates a special license for manufacturers or distributors that sell *only* electric or nonfossil-fuel vehicles, allowing them to operate as dealers in Maryland. This license is restricted to the City of Bowie only, with no more than one such dealership permitted there. The bill modifies vehicle dealer licensing rules to require that applicants have no existing dealerships in Maryland and must not control other dealerships under the same provisions. It directly affects EV-focused manufacturers/distributors seeking to establish a Bowie-based dealership. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates license for EV dealers to promote electric vehicle adoption, reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates special EV dealer license in Bowie, directly promoting sustainable transportation adoption through regulatory support for electric vehicles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 622: Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund - Required Uses - Building Electrification and Transportation Electrification

SB 622 requires the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide loans and grants specifically for building electrification (replacing gas appliances with electric ones) and transportation electrification (such as electric vehicle infrastructure). This policy change directly affects Maryland residents, businesses, and local governments seeking funding to switch to electric systems. The bill amends existing law to mandate these uses of the fund, redirecting resources from previous allocations. It becomes effective October 1, 2026, without creating new programs but altering how existing funds are distributed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing fund resources to electrification projects, directing state budget toward specific infrastructure spending as mandated use of the Strategic Energy Investment Fund.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates fund allocation for building/transportation electrification, replacing fossil fuel dependence with electric systems, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and reducing carbon emissions.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates fund allocation for building/transportation electrification, reducing fossil fuel dependence and emissions, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates fund allocation for transportation electrification (e.g., EV infrastructure), directly funding sustainable transportation projects per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1019: School Bus Transition - Propane-Powered School Buses - Grant Program, Fund, and Purchase

HB 1019 creates a grant program and dedicated fund to help Maryland school districts transition from diesel school buses to either propane-powered or zero-emission buses. The program provides grants to cover the extra costs of purchasing or operating these cleaner buses, as well as for infrastructure installation (for zero-emission buses), planning, and pilot programs. Funding comes from state appropriations, interest earnings, donations, and legal settlements specifically earmarked for this purpose. The bill updates existing law to explicitly include propane-powered buses in the transition program, which previously only covered zero-emission vehicles.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated state appropriations fund for school bus transition grants, increasing public service funding through direct budget allocation90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for cleaner school buses, improving school infrastructure and access through funding for transition costs, aligning with education infrastructure support indicators.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, reducing diesel dependence and promoting cleaner energy infrastructure through grants and dedicated funding.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, directly reducing diesel emissions and promoting cleaner transportation infrastructure per its grant program.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and cleaner vehicle regulations through dedicated grants and infrastructure support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement School Transportation Electric Vehicles Public Transit

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 649: Electric Vehicle Fuel Sold at Retail - Equipment Requirements, Units of Measure, and Fees

SB 649 requires owners of electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment to clearly display business contact information (name, address, phone number) near charging stations. It mandates that all EV electricity sold at retail must be measured and sold in kilowatt-hours, and sets an annual minimum price determined by the Comptroller. Station owners may also charge separate fees for related services, such as fixed fees or time-based charges. The bill directly affects EV charging station operators by standardizing measurement, pricing, and transparency requirements.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires standardized billing and contact info for EV charging infrastructure, promoting accessible electric vehicle adoption and sustainable transportation infrastructure development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 275: Vehicle Laws - Electric Vehicle Dealer Licenses - City of Bowie

SB 275 creates a new license category for manufacturers or distributors that sell *only* electric or nonfossil-fuel vehicles, allowing up to five such licenses statewide. However, it specifically restricts one of those licenses to operate *only* in the City of Bowie. This directly affects EV manufacturers/distributors seeking to open direct-to-consumer dealerships in Bowie without traditional dealership franchises. The bill amends Maryland’s vehicle licensing laws to require that no existing dealer holds a franchise from the applicant, and that no controlling ownership exists between competing EV dealers. It takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates license category for EV dealers, enabling direct sales and promoting EV adoption, reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates EV dealer license category enabling direct sales of electric vehicles, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and reducing franchise barriers for EV manufacturers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Driver Licensing Electric Vehicles

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 451: Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council - Membership, Duties, and Sunset Repeal

HB 451 extends the reporting deadlines and lifespan of Maryland's Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council. It modifies the schedule for the Council's interim reports (now due December 1 annually through 2031, instead of 2024-2025) and moves the final report deadline to June 30, 2031 (from June 30, 2026). The bill also extends the Council's termination date from June 30, 2026 to June 30, 2031, keeping it active for five additional years. This procedural change directly affects the Council's operational timeline but does not alter the Council's purpose or policy recommendations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends Maryland's Zero Emission EV Infrastructure Council through 2031, maintaining focus on advancing EV infrastructure and renewable energy transition.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExtends Council's work on zero-emission EV infrastructure, enabling continued development of sustainable transportation infrastructure beyond original timeline.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles