The fast route to fast chargers for your community
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California is already experiencing a level of demand that will soon be nationwide. The infrastructure for charging has been built up in response. Several communities in that state are among those with the lowest number of residents per charger. |
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When the numbers of charging stations per registered EVs are compared, Florida wins with a ratio of 8.2 charging stations per 100 EVs, while California has 7.7 per 100 EVs. Still, that doesn’t make Florida the national leader. North Dakota has 45.3: 100 and the fewest registered EVs.[2] Vermont has the most EV chargers per capita. Today’s numbers are significantly short of the need expected by 2030. A recent downloadable report[3] identifies where and how many charging stations will likely be required. Toward that need, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published a blueprint for EV Charging Infrastructure for the Community[4] and Key Activities Summary.[5]
Even with those guidelines, installing an EV infrastructure will be a coast-to-coast challenge! Communities can organize and accelerate the process by following high-level “key steps” like these —
EXPLORE the grantscape and community needs
In the DOE’s blueprint summary, the first key activity involves finding procurement support while considering legal and technical challenges and assessing community needs for available and accessible public chargers.
That challenging first step need not be taken alone! Procurement support — including grants and other funding — can be found at federal, state, and private organizations. Data from several sources can clarify needs and locate support:
- Vehicle registration or sales
- Municipal fleet data
- Financial incentives
- Grant opportunities
- Utility deployment investments
- Regional planning efforts
- State-level EVSE plans
- Fees, processes, and timelines associated with EVSE installation permitting and inspection
ENGAGE with stakeholders
Next, bring that knowledge of needs and available resources to the organizations that the project will impact. Stakeholders may include these and others:
- Charging station operators
- Electric utility providers and those impacted in the regional grid
- Permitting and inspection agencies
- Public works and transit agencies
- Car dealerships that will bring EVs into their inventory
- Workplaces having employees who will charge EVs during the workday
- Other business and commercial entities with the potential to host charging stations
Engage all interested organizations and individuals through regular meetings and workshops. The format of these events must allow for EVCI plan feedback. Diverse voices are essential to providing insights and perspectives for a complete community infrastructure.
IDENTIFY high-demand locations
The inevitable constraints of budget and time require a focus on high-demand locations. Consider each of these when determining priorities and schedules:
- Densely populated areas
- Apartments and condominiums
- Places where traffic is heavy
- Long commutes
- Popular destinations and the highways serving them
- Distances between residences, stores, and services
PLAN the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) installation
A well-planned EVSE installation will specify and ensure these standards:
- The equipment must be safe and reliable.
- Use equipment that provides the necessary charging capacity without excessive size or designs that are incompatible with the surrounding environment.
- The selected locations must be convenient and have good lighting.
- Signage must convey how to use the equipment and include any relevant policies.
- Additional signage may be needed to direct drivers entering and leaving the location.
- Installations will be within the footprints of any previous group disturbance at the site.
- Incorporate Americans with Disability Act requirements for site design.
SHARE updates and metrics
As technologies, vehicle designs, and work-life practices evolve, ongoing community feedback will ensure continued improvement and progress. Tomorrow’s needs will require tomorrow’s equipment, planned and maintained through consistent communication.
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ecoPreserve has tools, best practices, and experience to support the journey to a robust EVCI. Services can be selected and scaled to match your community’s needs.
To learn more about the relevant services and to select and scale those most relevant to your community, the next step is to schedule a free consultation call! |
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SOURCES:
[1] NREL.com — Building the 2030 National Charging Network
[2] Zutobi.com — Driver education website
[3] NREL.com — The 2030 National Charging Network: Estimating U.S. Light-Duty Demand
for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
[4] Energy.gov — DOE Blueprint for Community EVCI
[5] Energy.gov — Key Activities Summary
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