S. 2653 — RECHARGE Act

This section permits electric vehicle charging infrastructure for passenger automobiles at rest areas on the Interstate System, notwithstanding prohibitions in 23 U.S.C. 111(a)-(b) on commercial establishments (i.e., automotive service stations or other motor vehicle services) and unapproved access points on Interstate rights-of-way. (As background, 23 U.S.C. 111(b) authorizes states to operate rest areas with limited commercial activities—such as indoor advertising not legible from the highway—available only to rest area customers; the new authority in 23 U.S.C. 111(f) requires consistency with safety standards under 23 U.S.C. 109(s) and authorizes no other commercial activities on rights-of-way.) This section makes conforming amendments to (1) limit Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program eligibility (23 U.S.C. 149(c)(2)) to natural gas vehicle refueling stations (from "such stations," previously including electric vehicle stations); and (2) limit Jason's Law grants for safe truck parking facilities (MAP-21 §1401(d)(2); 23 U.S.C. 137 note) to natural gas refueling (from "Electric vehicle battery charging stations or natural").