Maryland Passes EV-Friendly Legislation

by Wilson Nunnari
Jul 18th, 2010

As General Motors gets ready to put the much-awaited Chevy Volt into production and deliver it to customers this November, consumer reaction to the world’s first EREV (Extended Range Electric Vehicle) still remains an unknown. The idea of emissions-free driving might capture many hearts, but a high price tag and the lack of a truly prevalent electric infrastructure may serve as a deterrent to some. Fortunately for General Motors, many legislators are working to negate any infrastructure fears consumers may have about an electric vehicle.

The federal government already grants a $7,500 tax credit to buyers of electric vehicles and now Maryland is jumping on the bandwagon by sweetening the pot even further. Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley (D) signed into law a bill that will give electric car buyers two incentives: the first motivator begins October 1, 2010, lasts for four years, and empowers owners to use HOV lanes – regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle. The second incentive, which begins October 1, is a $2,000 excise tax credit that can be combined with the $7,500 federal tax credit at the point of sale and will apply to vehicles titled in Maryland through July 1, 2013.

Tom Stephens, Vice Chairman, GM Global Product Operations, agrees that “Consumer incentives such as access to HOV lanes and tax credits make a real difference in the marketplace and can drive consumers to adopt new technologies.”

The GM Authority Take

We concur with Mr. Stephens wholeheartedly but believe that GM should place an increased focus on educating the public at large about the real-world benefits of the Volt, as our own (completely subjective) experience has shown that average car buyers don’t perceive a real difference between the Volt and other hybrid vehicles.

Maryland Governor Signs Two Bills Intended to Quicken Consumer Acceptance of Electric Vehicles
Chevrolet Volt among first vehicles to qualify under new laws

2010-05-20

Annapolis, MD – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley (D) today signed two bills into law that will support advanced vehicle propulsion technology and help spur early consumer acceptance of electric vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt.

The Maryland legislation includes two important consumer incentives:

1) Access for plug-in electric vehicles to high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes regardless of the number of passengers. This legislation will take effect October 1, 2010 and last for three years.

2) A $2,000 excise motor vehicle tax credit for the purchase of a plug-in electric vehicle. Consumer’s will be able to take advantage of this incentive at the point of sale and can combine the $2,000 with an existing $7,500 federal tax credit. The tax credit applies to vehicles titled in Maryland between October 1, 2010 through July 1, 2013.

“This important tax credit not only helps promote the use of cleaner, more energy efficient vehicles throughout our State to help our environment, but it’s an important economic development tool as well,” said Governor O’Malley. “We’ve set a bold goal of creating 100,000 new green jobs over the next several years, and investments like this new electric vehicle tax credit helps us build towards that green infrastructure that GM and others are leading the way on in Maryland.”

“Consumer incentives such as access to HOV lanes and tax credits make a real difference in the market place and can drive consumers to adopt new technologies,” said Tom Stephens, Vice Chairman, GM Global Product Operations. “GM commends Governor O’Malley and the state of Maryland for recognizing the important role these new vehicle technologies and the Chevrolet Volt will play in addressing the energy and climate priorities of the state and our country.”

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended range capability that can be a family’s primary car. The Volt is designed to drive up to 40 miles on electricity without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the Volt’s lithium-ion battery is depleted, an engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range if there is no access to an electrical outlet to recharge the battery, providing peace of mind to the consumer.

The Washington D.C. metro market is one of three key markets – along with California and Michigan – where Chevrolet will begin selling the Volt. Each market has progressive local and state government leaders and utility partners. Volt production begins later this year.

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