House passes Ciresi bill to expand EV charging infrastructure in PA
Southeast Delegation May 6, 2025 | 4:43 PM
HARRISBURG, May 6 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation (H.B. 789) that would help create more EV charging stations throughout Pennsylvania, at no cost to the Pennsylvania taxpayer, passed the House today.
“Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly common each year, with over three-million electric vehicles on the road nationwide in 2023 and projections anticipating that electric vehicles could account for a majority of total passenger car sales by the 2030s,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “As this trend continues, businesses are increasingly looking to provide access to EV charging at their locations, as a way of attracting customers or as a benefit to their employees. My legislation would connect the growing demand for electric vehicle charging infrastructure with a successful funding mechanism that is funded through private capital.”
Introduced in a previous session as H.B. 1474, which had previously passed in the House, the legislation would add electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects as an eligible project type under Pennsylvania’s Property-Assessed Clean Energy Program (C-PACE). C-PACE, which was created by Act 30 of 2018, has facilitated more than $250 million in investments in energy efficiency, clean energy, conservation, and other projects by connecting property owners with long-term financing. The investments are funded entirely through private capital, so it would not impose any financial burden on the commonwealth or local governments, according to Ciresi.
“My House bill would help develop Pennsylvania’s EV charging infrastructure at no cost to the taxpayer at a time when electric vehicles are becoming more prevalent on our roads and highways,” Ciresi said. “This legislation would add electric vehicle charging infrastructure as an eligible project type for C-PACE funding, unlocking financing to install charging stations in an equitable way throughout the commonwealth — from places of employment, restaurants, apartments, hotels, shopping centers and tourist attractions. More charging stations makes it easier for everyone to operate these energy-efficient, environmentally friendly vehicles in Pennsylvania, whether you’re a resident running errands or business traveler or tourist visiting our state. And it’s all done through private financing and will support jobs for Pennsylvania workers.”
“Electric vehicles will be a big part of the future of automobiles in this country,” Ciresi said. “Right now, Pennsylvania is lagging behind its neighbors in this arena, but we have a unique opportunity with this legislation to be at the forefront of this new frontier, attract new business opportunities in emerging technologies, and make Pennsylvania accessible and open for tourism. All of this means family-sustaining jobs and supports a thriving economy.”
According to Ciresi, this commonsense approach has already been adopted by at least 21 states and Washington, DC. House Bill 789 now heads to the Senate for consideration.