Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Public Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Requirements

Owners and operators of public EVSE that require payment must provide payment options that allow access by the public. In addition, payment should not require users to pay a subscription fee or obtain a membership of any kind; however, required fees may be conditional on such memberships. Owners and operators can impose reasonable restrictions on EVSE use, such as limiting access to visitors of the business. In addition, owners and operators of public EVSE must provide the location, hours of operation, payment, and characteristics of each EVSE to the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center. (Reference Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 25A, Section 16B-16E)

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Parking Space Regulations

A city or town may restrict certain parking areas for ZEVs, which includes all-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles. A person who is found responsible for a violation of the restricted parking area may be subject to a penalty of no more than $50 and the vehicle may be removed from the parking spot. (Reference Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, Section 22A)

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Building Standards

The Massachusetts State Board of Building Regulations and Standards and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources will develop building and electric code requirements for residential and appropriate commercial buildings for EVSE. The regulations may vary, depending on whether or not an EVSE is already installed or will be installed. (Reference Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 143, Section 94)

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Feasibility Studies

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation and select state agencies and commissions are tasked with conducting ZEV feasibility studies on the following topics:

• Evaluating opportunities for electrification of the state fleet, including vehicles used by the regional transit authorities;
• Authorizing ZEVs, including plug-in electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or fuel cell vehicles, for use in high occupancy vehicle lanes regardless of the number of occupants in the vehicle; and
• Assessing surcharges, levies, or other assessments to offset projected gas tax revenue loss from the purchase or operation of ZEVs.

Support for Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Testing and Operation

The Secretary of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) established a working group to assess the safe development of AVs. The AV Working Group convenes and consults with experts on motor vehicle safety and vehicle automation, and works with the Legislature on any proposed AV legislation. MassDOT, with input from the AV Working Group, will issue guidance to allow for the safe testing of automated technologies on designated state highways and on other public roadways. In 2019, the AV Working Group released a report of their findings. For more information, see the AV Working Group website. (Reference Executive Order 572, 2017)

Support for Plug-In Electric Vehicles (PEVs) and Autonomous Vehicles (AVs)

The Massachusetts Commission on the Future of Transportation in the Commonwealth (Commission) was established to advise the Governor's Office on how to understand and plan for transportation advancements, including the increasing deployment of PEVs and AVs, in the Commonwealth from 2020 through 2040. The Commission investigated the following topics:

• Transportation electrification and the infrastructure necessary to support the increasing deployment of PEVs;
• Autonomous and connected vehicles and the infrastructure necessary to support the increasing deployment of these technologies;
• Impact of on-demand transit and mobility services on public transportation;
• Impact of greenhouse gas emissions on transportation and methods to increase resiliency of transportation infrastructure; and
• Land use or demographic changes that will shape future transportation planning.