ATLANTA — As the state of Georgia looks for ways to provide more electric vehicle charging stations, an 11Alive viewer wants to know why she can’t find any at interstate rest stops.
Anita Jefferson leaves home knowing her Tesla is fully powered thanks to the electric vehicle charger she has in her garage.
But when she hits the interstate, that confidence vanishes. Charging stations at interstate rest stops don’t seem to exist.
“The one place you would want to travel and stop would be a state rest stop,” said Jefferson. “I want to get an answer as to why they’re not there.”
Question
Are electric vehicle charging stations prohibited at interstate rest stops?
Our sources
Answer
Yes, federal law does currently prohibit electric vehicle charging stations at rest areas along America’s interstates.
What we found
In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation that opened the door to America’s interstate highway system. The Federal-Aid Highway Act calls for rest areas where drivers can find “comfort, convenience, and relaxation.”
It also limits what can be sold at rest areas along an interstate’s right of way.
Federal law allows the sale of lottery tickets, books and DVDs that promote tourism, and vending machine items at rest areas.
EV charging stations are not allowed.
“You would be paying for that energy,” said Dale. “That would count as commercialized use of the right-of-way and therefore not allowed under current federal regulations.”
President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Bill provides $5-billion to help states place electric vehicle charging stations along interstates.
Dale said Georgia is working on a plan knowing rest areas are currently off-limits.
“How do we use these federal funds within the parameters that we have?” she added. “Every state is working through that process.”