State moves to ditch reformulated gas, expand EV charging stations

With soaring gas prices and potentially devastating inflation on the horizon, Kentucky’s Interim Joint Committee on Transportation heard testimony on two plans that could help with rising fuel prices.

Dumping reformulated gas

Decades of federal EPA regulations aimed at reducing air pollution has meant some Kentucky vehicle owners are getting less mileage for their money.

Reformulated gas is made to burn “cleaner” than traditional gasoline, but is also more expensive for the consumer. Though no area in Kentucky met the requirements for forced implementation of reformulated gas, in 1995, then-Gov. Brereton Jones opted in to the EPA’s federal reformulated gasoline requirements which are still affecting Louisville and its surrounding areas.

After numerous legislative resolutions calling on the federal government to remove reformulated gas requirements, Kentucky government officials are taking action. Legislators heard from the Cabinet for Energy and Environment representatives today on their proposal to request re-designation by the EPA to a lesser pollutant class.

Currently, the proposal is in the public comment period, but should be submitted to the EPA later this year. Although EPA requirements have become more stringent over the years, vehicle emissions have significantly improved and the state has found ways to identify and reduce other sources of similar pollution. If approved, drivers in Louisville and parts of Bullitt and Oldham Counties won’t have to pay the extra costs associated with reformulated gas.

Expansion of electric vehicle charging stations

The state plans to spend approximately $70 million in federal funds and $15 million in state funds to provide more electric vehicle charging stations throughout the commonwealth.

This comes just after the state expanded taxes on electric vehicles (to $120/year) and hybrids (to $60/year) during the 2022 legislative session. The state also plans to implement a tax of $.03 on every kilowatt hour charged.

The charging stations would use the latest, although still-evolving, technology which charges the average EV in about 20-30 minutes.

As gas prices increase, the demand for EVs is slowly rising. However, EV drivers complain of “charging fatigue” – having to drive miles out of their way to find a charging station on longer road trips. If the five-year plan is successful, EV drivers will be able to find chargers every 50 miles.