Fuel sellers voice opposition to Recharge Act

On Thursday, a coalition of organizations representing travel centers, convenience store owners and other fuel retailers voiced their opposition to the Recharge Act.

The National Association of Truck Stop Owners (NATSO) joined the National Association of Convenience Stores to oppose the legislation that it threatens to halt private investment into electric vehicle charging stations. The Recharge Act would amend national policies that prohibit allowing automotive services at rest areas, the groups said, giving state governments an unfair advantage in refuel competition.

“Our industry has demonstrated a willingness to invest in EV charging. This legislation represents a misguided approach to electrification that ultimately will limit the development of a safe and reliable EV charging network,” David Fialkov, executive vice president of government affairs for NATSO said.

The legislation would undermine policies starting to gain momentum like the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Grant program created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that provides states with funding to build out the national EV charging network. Already, nearly half of the $5 billion in NEVI grants have been awarded to fuel retailing locations, the organizations said, underscoring the role that fuel retailers play in building out the network of fast-charging stations.

Allowing EV charging stations at rest areas would discourage private investment in EV charging, the groups said, by creating an unlevel playing field where state governments do not have to compete for customers. Since 1960, federal law has prohibited the sale of automotive services and food at state-operated rest areas to encourage business along Interstate exit exchanges.

“Drivers of electric vehicles deserve all the benefits that drivers of conventional vehicles have today with plenty of options for refueling competing with one another to keep costs low and constantly improve offers including food, beverages and the full range of services that motorists have come to expect,” Paige Anderson, director of government relations for NACS, said. “The Recharge Act would undermine private sector investment and instead leave electric vehicle drivers with fewer charging options at deserted rest areas that don’t give customers what they want. It makes no sense to reverse the policy choices made in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act before they have a chance to work which is just what the Recharge Act would do.”

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