Federal Highway Administration Prohibits Fee Paid EV Chargers At Rest Areas

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued guidance last week clarifying that fee paid EV charging stations cannot be located within the interstate right of way (ROW), including rest areas.

This is good news for energy marketers who have long fought against commercialization of rest areas. Commercialized rest areas siphon customers away from local gas stations and other businesses typically located at interstate entrance and exit ramps.

Specifically, the FHWA guidance clarifies that fee paid EV charging stations do not fit into any of the limited commercial activities allowed at rest areas.

Those activities include lottery machines, travel information, commercial advertising, tourism promotion and tickets for state historical or tourism related events.

However, according to the same guidance, fee paid EV charging stations may be placed at rest areas on interstate segments where federal-aid highway funds or other funds administered under Title 23 have never been used, which are typically older toll roads.

The guidance also clarified that fee paid EV charging stations may be located at Park and Ride lots adjacent to highway entrance and exit ramps.

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