Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) has introduced legislation that calls for a statewide electric vehicle charging station infrastructure.

The bill (2021-H 5031would require the Department of Transportation, along with the Division of Motor Vehicles and the Office of Energy Resources, to develop a plan for a statewide electric vehicle charging station infrastructure in order to make those stations more accessible to the public.

"This is important legislation if we're going to achieve our goal of reducing carbon emissions in the state," said McNamara. "This plan will go a long way toward encouraging Rhode Islanders to purchase electric vehicles. It's critical that people who live away from urban areas have access to charging stations. Implementing this plan would make us a leader in New England."

The deadline for formation of the plan would be Jan. 1, 2022. McNamara also foresees the charging station infrastructure as a boon to Rhode Island's tourism industry by encouraging travel to the state by those with electric vehicles.