Senate Bill 380 has been introduced in Kansas. This legislation will level the playing field in the state’s electric vehicle (EV) charging market and help provide businesses with the confidence they need to invest in the state. Specifically, the bill will prevent Kansas’ electric utilities from using ratepayer funds to build, operate or own publicly available EV charging stations and from including the costs to do so in their rate base. SB 380 does still allow utilities to compete in the EV charging market, but require them to do so in a way that does not give utility-owned stations an unreasonable competitive advantage with fair rates and services for all entities in the EV charging market. These provisions ensure that electric utilities cannot use their inherent advantages as a regulated monopoly to control the EV charging market and gives confidence to private investors that they will not be undercut by a utility using ratepayer funds.
Key Provisions of Kansas SB 380:
Prohibits electric utilities from using ratepayer funds to cover the costs of owning and operating publicly available EV chargers.
Requires utilities entering the EV charging market to do so through a separate nonregulated entity on a level playing field.
In 2025, CAP was supporting Senate Bill 167. SB 167 included the provisions of SB 380 and would also have required Kansas electric suppliers to maintain a commercial direct-current fast charging station rate schedule that utilizes volumetric rates as an alternative to demand charges. These rates would provide the rate transparency and predictability necessary for entities considering entering the EV charging market.
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