Baltimore City, MD (WBFF) — Just days before Maryland’s new electric vehicle charging fee was set to take effect, state officials hit the brakes.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is delaying enforcement of its $150-per-charging-port inspection fee until July 1, 2026, after a wave of pushback from EV companies, charger operators and environmental advocates who warned the charge could slow the state’s clean-transportation momentum.
“Even the people collecting this fee don’t like this fee, because it really sets us in terms of the cost of living here, and in terms of some of our environmental objectives,” said local economist Anirban Basu, “But the state is so starved for cash, and they don’t want to raise taxes, so they’re going to charge more fees.”
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The MDA has said the fee is designed to fund inspections, ensuring chargers are functioning properly and drivers are protected.
But critics argue the price tag is outsized and could have unintended consequences.
“One of the fears, of course, was A. this would mean that property owners would install fewer chargers. And B. some property owners might actually remove existing chargers,” said Basu.
In a public letter, leading EV companies — including Tesla and Rivian — called the $150-per-port plan the highest fee in the nation, and urged Maryland to scale it back to $25 per port. The letter also pointed out that Maryland gas pumps are inspected for about $20 per meter.
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In a statement, MDA Secretary Kevin Atticks said the extended timeline will open the door for more collaboration:
The decision to extend the registration deadline to July 1, 2026, will allow the department to facilitate more extensive and meaningful dialogue with the electric vehicle charging industry, local governments, and the community at large. This extended timeline will allow us to incorporate critical feedback and make the necessary formal amendments to the program’s structure and regulations, ensuring the program is effective, fair, and supportive of the state’s electric vehicle adoption goals while meeting the practical needs of all stakeholders.
The state also clarified that private chargers, residential chargers, and free chargers will be exempt under the program.
Basu argues the pause doesn’t solve the debate, but it does buy time. “In between January 1 of next year and July 1 of next year is a legislative session. It’s the General Assembly, and so this will give a time for the policy makers to determine if they really want to go forward with this,” he said.
Even with the pause, opponents say the uncertainty alone could cause some charging companies and property owners to delay new installations or expansion plans—especially as they wait to see whether the fee is reduced, restructured, or scrapped.
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