Bill Summary: HB 5485 - Transportation Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles

• Establishes a 40-member Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Coordinating Council within the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to assess strategies for integrating battery electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and range-extended battery electric vehicles into Connecticut's transportation network.

• Requires submission of a comprehensive Zero-Emission Vehicle Roadmap by November 15, 2024, analyzing benefits and costs, infrastructure needs, charging station deployment strategies, and equity considerations, with updates annually thereafter.

• Amends the Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate program to increase rebates for environmental justice communities from up to 100% to not less than 200% more than standard rebate levels, with a goal of distributing 40% of rebate funds to low-income census block groups by January 1, 2030.

• Authorizes $10 million in state bonds for grants to municipal electric utilities for charging infrastructure in environmental justice communities, vehicle incentives, and public right-of-way charging installations.

• Requires electric distribution companies to charge residential rates for separately metered Level 2 chargers in multifamily and mixed-use residential buildings, and directs the Commissioner of Transportation to study expanding mobility options in rural communities by July 1, 2026.