Catching up to this thread. I work at NIH and own the red Leaf in the pics in the NIH article linked previously. Since these charging stations were installed in June, there has been a large increase in the number of EVs on the NIH campus. When the program started in June, there were about 5 EVs on campus; now there are perhaps 25. Just today there was a newly purchased 2013 Leaf charging next to me.
Charging at a federal facility is a tough nut to crack. The best info I've seen about the issue is on the DOE site at https://federalfleets.energy.gov/federal_requirements/guidance" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . The GAO decision was specifically for the Architect of the Capitol, in that it cannot use appropriated funds to install electric vehicle charging stations solely for use by employees for their personal vehicles. The DOE indicates that "ultimately, each agency's general counsel must determine appropriate and legal use of agency electric vehicle charging stations."
Most federal agencies are currently not allowing charging of privately owned EVs because of the GAO ruling, even if the ruling was specifically for the Architect of the Capitol. The agencies' interpretation is that congressional action is needed for this to be allowed. Interestingly, Congress has recently passed legislation to allow members of Congress to charge their personal EVs at a federal facility at Capitol Hill. Unfortunately this applies only to members of Congress.
It is true that there are other benefits in place which seem similar in nature, like subsidized mass transit, mentioned earlier in this thread. However these benefits were explicitly enacted by an Act of Congress, which is what GAO recommends in this case as well.
There is a request being put together for the GAO to revisit its decision and clarify whether it applies to the use of existing 120V outlets and existing agency reimbursement procedures for personal use.
A few agencies have been progressive in allowing charging of personal EVs on federal facilities, typically by using a third-party intermediary. For example, DOE allows charging, with funds collected through the garage operator. NIH has implemented such a system, funded through a credit union - see http://evadc.org/2012/08/14/nih-debuts-charging-station-pilot-program/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. NASA Kennedy installed a few charging stations last year, that people are allowed to use for their personal EVs - see http://www.novacharge.net/media/nasa-and-novacharge-launch-ev-readiness-with-chargepoint-charging-stations" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . Some Navy Exchanges also now have charging stations. However, most agencies are still reluctant to implement a third-party system.
I'm not aware of any cases where charging of personal EVs is formally allowed at federal facilities without a third-party being involved, but would love to hear otherwise. How is this program going to work at the Whipple Building?
Doron