Bill > S3460

Introduced Session

This bill would prohibit timed-use and per-charge pricing, and excessive price increases, in the sale of plug-in electric vehicle charging services. Specifically, the bill would make it an unlawful practice under P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), commonly known as the "Consumer Fraud Act," to sell, or offer to sell, plug-in electric vehicle charging service to any customer: (1) on an hourly or other timed-use basis, or on a per-charge basis; or (2) at a price that constitutes an excessive price increase. The bill defines "excessive price increase" as a price that exceeds by more than 20 percent the average price at which plug-in electric vehicle charging services are sold or offered for sale by retail dealers in the same region. Under the bill, a person would be authorized to sell, or offer to sell, plug-in electric vehicle charging services to a customer on a per-kilowatt-hour basis, a subscription fee basis, or another reasonable basis as determined by the Board of Public Utilities. Any person who violates the provisions of bill would be subject to a penalty of not more than $500 for the first offense, and not more than $1,000 for the second and each subsequent offense. Each sale made in violation of the bill would constitute an additional, separate, and distinct offense. Under the "Consumer Fraud Act," violations of the bill could also result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to any injured party.

Committee Categories

Vin Gopal (D)*,  Linda Greenstein (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee (on 02/17/2021)