Florida officials have been holding meetings throughout the state ahead of creating a statewide electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure standard, according to local media. 

The move follows the signing of SB 1084 in May by Gov. Ron Desantis, which prohibits local authorities from regulating EV charging. Effective July 1, the law gave EV charging authority to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). 

Rick Kimsey, FDACS director, has been meeting with entities and municipalities to discuss different rules that have been used across the state, Spectrum News 1 reported. He told the TV station that he hopes to have the rules in place by the end of the year. 

Local rules have varied from signage and landscaping to how long someone can park in an EV parking spot, the article says. 

Prior to the new law, Orlando required 10% of commercial parking spaces in the city to be EV-ready, according to J.D. Supra. 

“Some businesses may welcome the relief from having to install EV charging equipment in prime parking locations, especially given the current low percentage of EV ownership in Florida,” J.D. Supra says. “Developers and property owners now face a shifting landscape of regulations, highlighting the need to stay informed about state-level decisions regarding EV infrastructure.”

FDACS held three workshops throughout the state in the past two months. Topics discussed during the meetings included safety, installation and design, signage, registration, prohibitions, and enforcement, according to FDACS website. 

Benjamin Pauluhn, Optimus Energy Solutions president, told Spectrum News that the state has about a quarter million EV cars in the state. He said 12% of vehicles sold in Florida are EVs. 

Different rules in place across the state have made it difficult to install EV charging stations, he told the TV station. He said this includes aesthetic opinions and site requirement overreaches that don’t follow what consumers want. 

Spectrum News said Pauluhn supported statewide laws that focus on keeping consumers and businesses safe. 

J.D. Supra gave additional advice for any developers or businesses in the state. 

“If you’re a developer or business owner in Florida, it’s important to stay informed about the evolving regulations for EV charging stations. What was mandatory yesterday may not be required today,” the article says. “Given the complexity and ongoing changes in this area of law, we recommend consulting with legal counsel to ensure you’re complying with the most up-to-date regulations.”

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