March 14, 2024

By Lane Kimble

MADISON, Wis. — Legislation that would allow private businesses to sell electricity for EVs while funneling a portion of those sales into the Transportation fund is headed to Governor Tony Evers’ desk for his signature.

Tuesday, the State Senate quickly and unanimously approved an Assembly amendment to SB791, marking its final legislative approval.

The bill opens up about $80 million in federal funding to build out Wisconsin’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure along freeways and key travel areas.  Private businesses such as gas stations, convenience stores, hotels, and restaurants will be able to build Level 3 stations and charge for the electricity.

Three cents per kilowatthour of electricity sold will go into the state’s Transportation fund as a way of supplementing the gas tax.  That rate and style was modeled off what neighboring Iowa recently began doing.

“A lot of our important stakeholder partners have worked long and hard to get this bill right,” WTBA Director of Government Affairs Elise Nelson said.

“We’re happy it’s finally figured out and that the legislature recognized the importance of harnessing future-facing technology to help pay for the road and highway projects of the future.”

WTBA registered in favor of the legislation along with dozens of other associations and agencies.

The Senate on Tuesday also voted 27-5 to pass a bill that clarifies the application of the manufacturing sales tax when it comes to important road and bridge building equipment, such as portable plants and machinery.

Nelson and WTBA General Counsel Jodi Jensen testified in favor of the bill during this legislative session. It, too, now heads to Gov. Evers’ desk.