BWI Airport Fast Chargers Offline During Extreme Cold – Plug-In Sites

Temperatures at BWI Airport dropped to around 10°F this morning as an Arctic air outbreak continues across Maryland. Cold weather reduces EV range and increases demand for fast charging, making reliable public stations especially important for airport users and rideshare drivers.

The four 150 kW DC fast chargers in the BWI Cell Phone Lot, operated by Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) through its EVsmart program on the SWTCH network, are currently listed as “UNDER REPAIR” in the SWTCH app.

These chargers were unveiled on May 24, 2021, as part of Maryland’s push to expand EV infrastructure. BGE later installed additional units in the nearby Rideshare Staging Lot, bringing the total to ten fast-charging ports across the two sites (four in the Cell Phone Lot and six in the Rideshare Staging Lot).

At the Rideshare Staging Lot, the SWTCH app shows that only one CCS connector is operational, with the rest flagged as “UNDER REPAIR” or “UNAVAILABLE.” Across both locations, nine of the ten ports appear out of service at this time. Some units have been unavailable for more than a week, with at least one offline for months based on ongoing user reports.

These sites see heavy use due to their location at the airport, serving travelers, rideshare drivers in the geofenced Uber or Lyft app queue, and others needing quick top-offs. Downtime during high-demand periods like the current cold snap highlights ongoing reliability challenges for utility-owned chargers in Maryland.

BGE’s public charging stations fall under Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) oversight. Installation, operation and maintenance costs are recoverable through rate base, meaning BGE residential customers contribute to these expenses via general electricity rates.

Maryland lawmakers addressed charger reliability in 2023 with HB 834 (the Electric Vehicle Charging Reliability Act), which requires utilities to meet uptime standards (97%) and submit quarterly reliability reports to the PSC.

The letter below, submitted to the PSC Executive Secretary on January 29, 2026, includes screenshots of the current status and comments on the importance of reliable utility-operated infrastructure during extreme weather. It serves as formal feedback in the relevant PSC cases.

For real-time updates, check the SWTCH app. Nearby alternatives exist on other networks, though options directly at BWI remain limited when these sites are down.

January 29, 2026

Andrew S. Johnston
Executive Secretary
Public Service Commission of Maryland
6 Paul Street, 16th Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Re: Case Nos. 9478 & 9809 – Comments on BWI Airport Fast Chargers Offline During Extreme Cold

Dear Mr. Johnston,

Attached are screenshots showing that all four fast chargers at the BWI Cell Phone Lot are currently marked “UNDER REPAIR.” In addition, all but one of the CCS connectors at the BWI Rideshare Staging Lot are listed as either “UNDER REPAIR” or “UNAVAILABLE.”

At present, 9 of the 10 fast-charging ports across these two BWI sites appear as out of service. Many of these units have been unavailable for more than a week, some for over two weeks, and at least one appears to have been offline for months.

These are among the most heavily utilized charging stations in the BGE network and are especially critical during the current frigid conditions. Recent snow and sustained arctic temperatures have increased reliance on the BWI fast chargers, particularly for rideshare drivers and airport patrons. The current condition of these sites does not reflect the level of reliability expected of utility-owned charging infrastructure. Ratepayers and EV drivers rely on the Commission’s oversight to ensure that these stations remain operational and available for public use.

I would appreciate any efforts the Commission can take to expedite repairs and restore these chargers to service as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,

Lanny Hartmann
Columbia, MD

SWTCH App Status Screenshot
BWI Rideshare Lot – 1/29/2026

SWTCH App Status Screenshot
BWI Cell Phone Lot – 1/29/2026

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