Electric Vehicle Supporters Request TCEQ Fund Charging Stations

TCEQ officials are preparing a plan to distribute the state’s share of the settlement from the auto manufacture for using false data for diesel emission standards…

The Texas Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) is asking the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to spend part of a $209 million Volkswagen settlement to build more public charging stations for electric vehicles.

TCEQ officials are preparing a plan to distribute the state’s share of the settlement from the auto manufacture for using false data for diesel emission standards. The funds must be spent on public or private efforts to reduce nitrous oxide that create smog and harm public health.

As much as 15 percent of the $209 million settlement could be allotted for electric car infrastructure. Supporters of clean diesel technology and compressed natural gas engines also are pushing for a share of the settlement.

Nationwide research conducted by PIRG indicates that the need for infrastructure and incentives for electric vehicles has increased by 38 percent in 2016 and 32 percent in 2017, said Bay Scoggins, the director of the Texas office of PIRG.

The research shows that the Dallas area currently has 177 electric car chargers located at businesses and on public property, but that by 2030, the city will need 3,000 charging stations.

TCEQ is accepting public comment through email on the proposed settlement plan at VWsettle@tceq.texas.gov.

This story originally published by Strategic Partnership, Inc.