Table of Contents
Note: This page is best viewed on a desktop.
Released February 2025
Executive Summary
As municipal leaders across the United States work to enhance public health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and build a thriving local economy by creating well-paying jobs, transportation electrification has become a key weapon in their public policy arsenal. Municipalities across the country are playing a critical role in accelerating the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), driving the transition with a multi-faceted approach that includes policy development, infrastructure expansion, and public-private collaboration. By taking steps to incentivize and encourage widespread EV adoption, cities can pave the way for a future that saves money for residents, brings more economic activity to local businesses, protects the environment, and bolsters the national and economic security of the country as a whole.
One of the most significant barriers to EV adoption is the availability and accessibility of charging infrastructure; a 2023 Consumer Reports survey found that 62% of respondents cited charging access as their top concern when considering purchasing an EV. Municipalities must prioritize the installation of public charging stations, especially in high-density areas, such as those with high concentrations of multi-unit dwellings and commercial zones. Equitable access to charging infrastructure is vital to ensure that all residents can benefit from EV adoption.
Municipalities can also support the transition of public and private fleets to EVs, beginning by electrifying their own fleets and advocating for policies that facilitate further adoption among other entities in their area. Beyond that, strategic planning to establish efficient procurement mechanisms, invest in fleet-ready EV infrastructure, and streamline permitting and zoning processes are all actionable ways that municipal leaders can support the shift toward electric fleets.
This toolkit is designed to help policymakers working to expand EV adoption within their cities by highlighting commonsense policy levers and actions that can be taken immediately to drive transportation electrification at the local level.
Charging Infrastructure
The widespread adoption of EVs hinges on the accessibility of reliable, convenient charging infrastructure (also known as electric vehicle supply equipment or EVSE). Increased availability of public and private charging stations is critical to fostering consumer, commercial, and industry confidence, reducing range anxiety, and ensuring that everyone can charge their EV conveniently and affordably. By adding more chargers at strategic locations, cities can also send a clear message to local businesses and consumers alike: it’s time to go electric.
Photo used with permission from the Township of Plainsboro.
Many city governments include charging infrastructure installation objectives in their climate action/sustainability plans, with the end goal being to reduce tailpipe emissions by encouraging local EV adoption.
To optimize the effectiveness of this strategy, cities should plan to install charging infrastructure that is able to accommodate all vehicle types and population segments. Mixed-use charging hubs such as stations that serve mobility service providers during the day and residents at night, or stations that serve both freight trucks and city buses, can help minimize costs while increasing efficacy. Additionally, cities should consider needs such as disability access, location safety, and general ease of operation to help guarantee equitable access and ensure maximum usage. Fast-charging stations, which enable long-distance trips by quickly fueling an EV, should also be considered, as they offer a convenient re-fueling option for travelers, a secondary option for community members in need of a quick charge, and increased revenue potential for nearby businesses.
Once the vision and targets are established in a formalized charging infrastructure build-out plan, cities should identify funding sources (including via partnerships with private charging providers) and begin rollout, starting with city properties such as municipal buildings, parking lots, and garages.
Examples & Additional Insights
In 2023, Boston released a request for proposals from charging vendors interested in installing curbside charging throughout the city. They were seeking vendors who would maintain ownership and maintenance of the sites, and place chargers in underserved communities, near multi-unit dwellings, and/or near public amenities. Public/private partnerships such as this one can help cities expand charging access without assuming any of the associated costs.
In 2023, the City of Milwaukee released its preliminary EV readiness plan, which explored how it could equitably expand upon the existing charging network of federally funded charging stations already deployed in the state. Cities should ensure that they are taking existing stations into account when adding new infrastructure to avoid redundancy and streamline deployment.
In 2023, Dayton, Ohio, gathered consumer feedback to help identify gaps in the local charging network and mapped these alongside current charging sites (including corridor locations) to understand where the next round of charging deployment should be focused. Cooperation with residents can help local governments develop comprehensive, equitable charging infrastructure plans while encouraging EV adoption.
EV readiness refers to how prepared a city is to support further adoption and use of EVs. Being “EV ready” requires a combination of infrastructure, policies, and incentives that make EVs an easy and viable choice for residents, businesses, and local government agencies.
Requiring new buildings and buildings undergoing major renovations to have parking spaces that are pre-wired for EV charging can be a cost-effective way for municipalities to achieve EV readiness, as it can as it can reduce future deployment expenses by up to 75%. EV-ready building codes, as these policies are generally called, may vary by building type; a new commercial space may be required to install actual EV charging ports, while new residential construction might only be required to install pre-wiring for Level 2 chargers.
EV-ready building codes, in addition to future-proofing major construction in cities, also have significant equity benefits, as they can help provide charging access to residents of multi-unit dwellings that often house low- and moderate-income populations.
Examples & Additional Insights
In Atlanta, the city’s EV readiness requirements include American Disability Association (ADA) guidelines for installing EV charging infrastructure, including design, signage, and placement considerations. Embedding disability requirements into EV-ready building codes can help cities ensure that their charging networks are accessible to all residents.
Charlotte updated its unified development ordinance to require EV charging at hotels, multi-family dwellings, parking structures, and residential components of mixed-use developments. The number of EV-ready spaces is dependent on the number of off-street parking spaces provided by the facility. Focusing on high-density structures when implementing EV-ready building codes can maximize the usefulness and economic viability of the charging infrastructure that is (or will be) installed.
In January 2024, Columbus, Ohio, adopted a parking ordinance that requires new parking lots to include EV-ready spaces. The associated building’s category, determined by its function and the number of parking spaces it contains, decides whether the spaces must simply be pre-wired or if they must have charging equipment already installed. Columbus employs a building and energy coordinator to oversee the implementation of this ordinance. Thoughtful EV-ready building codes like Columbus’ can help cities prepare for widespread EV adoption without breaking the bank by front-loading costs.
Planning and building out a comprehensive charging infrastructure network that supports diverse communities is critical to ensuring a just and equitable transition to electric transportation. Installing charging infrastructure at workplaces and businesses, in the public right-of-way across multiple neighborhoods, and especially in multi-unit dwellings are easy methods to increase equitable access to EVs; cities can incentivize private-sector charging installation at these locations using policy tools like rebates and EV-ready building codes.
Examples & Additional Insights
In 2023, Cambridge, Massachusetts, announced an EV charging pilot program that gives out permits to residents without driveways, allowing them to charge their EVs via cords extended across public sidewalks. Innovative policies like this can expand access to charging with little-to-no impact on city finances.
New York City passed a Right-To-Charge law in 2021 that requires new buildings with more than 100 spaces to make 20% of their spaces EV-ready. The law also grants tenants the right to request permission to install EV chargers at their designated parking spaces in multi-family dwellings and office spaces. Laws such as this help expand charging access for non-homeowners without requiring them to charge while on the go.
In 2024, Washington State started an EV Instant Rebate Program that offers significant rebates for low-income and minority communities interested in purchasing or leasing an EV. Policies and programs that lower consumer costs help reduce financial barriers to EV adoption that disproportionately impact historically underserved populations.
Complex and lengthy permitting processes are some of the biggest roadblocks hindering charging infrastructure deployment. Cities can remedy this by employing online and/or centralized permitting systems to streamline application and approval. Any streamlined permitting process or program should account for all vehicle/charger types to eliminate barriers that would otherwise impede implementation.
Examples & Additional Insights
Philadelphia established the EZ Permit Standards, a set of metrics that, if all criteria are met, allows a charging station to be installed without the builder having to submit electrical plans or apply for a separate building permit. Minimizing the number of steps and the amount of paperwork charging infrastructure installers must do before they can begin construction can accelerate charging network build-out within cities.
Boone, North Carolina, streamlined the permitting process for charger installation with the release of its EV-Ready Handbook. The handbook includes a variety of helpful tips for choosing and placing chargers and lists which permits a charger installer must apply for alongside all the approval requirements. This degree of transparency speeds up the deployment process and makes it easier for first-time site hosts to meet departmental or federal deadlines.
Massachusetts created an EVSE Expedited Permitting Task Force that includes state, municipal, utility, and NGO representatives to guide applicants, review initial submission packages, and communicate any revisions that need to be made before the permit can be granted. Proactive collaboration between the various entities involved in the approval of permits can significantly reduce the waiting period for applicants.
Freight
Despite making up only 5% of vehicles on the road, medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) vehicles are responsible for 23% of the U.S. transportation sector’s emissions. Freight hubs, including seaports, inland ports, and warehouse districts, produce some of the highest localized carbon emissions and concentrations of harmful airborne particulate matter. Transitioning to electric freight trucks and freight-handling equipment (i.e. yard trucks) would significantly reduce GHG emissions and improve air quality, particularly in communities of color that are often disproportionately impacted by pollution from this sector.
Photo used with permission from ECBC partner ABB.
Zero-emission freight delivery zones restrict curb access in key locations to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) of certain classes—usually vans, trucks, and other MHD delivery vehicles—during specified hours. Cities can use this strategy to incentivize the adoption of ZEVs (including EVs) because having access to convenient loading and unloading zones reduces the costs freight companies incur during extended delivery and dwell times.
While this kind of policy is usually applied to freight fleets, it can also be used to encourage EV adoption among private mobility service/transit providers that also benefit from priority curb access.
Examples & Additional Insights
In early 2021, Santa Monica deployed the nation’s first Zero Emissions Delivery Zone in partnership with LACI. The voluntary delivery zone pilot project was one square mile and provided priority curb access and parking availability data to participating companies, while also enabling those companies’ ZEV technology adoption. Upon completion of the project, LACI launched the City Climate Innovation Challenge, bringing together nine cities, including Santa Monica, to explore a variety of innovative solutions for first and last-mile delivery. Establishing public-private partnerships to ease transitioning to ZEV fleets can improve private sector buy-in and significantly improve urban air quality and goods movement networks.
In September 2024, New York City proposed rules to establish “microhub” zones as part of its Microhubs Pilot Program. When constructed, these zones will provide dedicated on- and off-street parking where MHD trucks can charge while cargo is safely transferred to smaller EVs (along with bicycles and other sustainable modes of transportation) for last-mile delivery in the city. Rethinking delivery logistics can encourage companies with fleets of all vehicle classes to go electric and keep large freight vehicles out of city centers.
Cities can encourage ZEV adoption among MHD fleet operators and improve local air quality by regulating the amount of emissions/pollution allowed to originate from major freight hubs within their jurisdictions. These regulations can be anything from straightforward electrification requirements and net-zero targets to multi-faceted emission reduction compliance programs that, among other strategies, incentivize electrification.
To take this one step further, cities can generate funds to purchase their own ZEVs by instituting fees related to these regulations, such as facility impact fees for mobile source pollution, fines for violations of indirect source rules, and so on.
The Port Electrification Network (PEN) is a working group consisting of more than 30 port stakeholders from across the country, including port authorities, terminal and drayage operators, and port electrification industry representatives. PEN aims to facilitate the deployment of electric vehicles and port equipment via monthly meetings where members discuss new port electrification technologies, identify shared policy priorities, and assist each other in navigating the federal policy and funding landscape.
Examples & Additional Insights
In California, the South Coast Air Quality Management District adopted an indirect source rule to regulate emissions from warehouses. The Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) Program requires certain warehouse operators to earn a set number of points to comply with the regulations. Points can be earned in several ways, including by acquiring and using ZEVs. Quantifying targets and explicitly recommending actions that can be taken to reach those targets can help regulating entities increase compliance.
In 2024, The Port of Seattle became the first port to require all cruise ships to use 100% shore power, setting a compliance deadline of 2027. The Port of San Diego approved its Maritime Clean Air Strategy in 2021, setting a goal of 100% zero-emission trucks and cargo handling equipment by 2030. Long-term outlooks can help cities and other regulators ensure smooth transitions to electric operations.
The Long Beach Container Terminal worked closely with the Port of Long Beach to develop its Net Zero 2030 Action Plan. The strategies outlined in the plan include the procurement of zero-emission equipment and renewable energy infrastructure, community partnerships and environmental programs, education and workforce development, and planning and technical support. Cities and other regulating entities can collaborate with prominent private partners to create comprehensive, achievable plans to meet agreed-upon electrification and emissions goals.
The upfront costs of electric MHD vehicles are a significant barrier for many fleets interested in electrifying their operations, particularly smaller fleets and independent owner-operators. Cities can work with community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and other financing partners to ensure that MHD fleets are aware of the wide range of financing options available to assist in deploying electric MHD vehicles and the associated charging infrastructure.
Examples & Additional Insights
Climate United, a national green bank organization, will invest $250 million to purchase 500 Class 8 electric trucks and offer affordable leasing options to small fleets and independent owner-operators who provide drayage services beginning out of the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach. Climate United is leveraging funding awarded from the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Clean Investment Fund to support this program and is partnering with Forum Mobility to develop leasing structures and provide charging solutions. Partnering with private institutions allows cities to implement innovative mechanisms to expand EV adoption that would otherwise not be possible.
Photo used with permission from ECBC partner Volvo.
Inclusiv, a CDFI intermediary that provides capital to credit unions serving low-income and disadvantaged communities, received a $1.87 billion grant through the EPA’s Clean Communities Investment Accelerator to provide loan financing for clean energy and transportation projects nationwide. Their investments will include the deployment of chargers and other infrastructure to support MHD vehicles for small businesses and . This is just one example of many low-cost financing options that cities can leverage to fund charging infrastructure projects.
In addition to vehicle cost, access to charging infrastructure is a hurdle to the broader adoption of electric trucks. While many fleets are developing behind-the-fence, private charging stations, shared charging hubs can expand access to charging infrastructure and enable higher utilization of the charging equipment, reducing overall development and operation costs.
These charging hubs follow two models: semi-public and fully public. Semi-public charging stations typically allow fleets to charge through a reservation system at a site owned and operated by a private company. Fully public charging stations allow any fleet or truck driver access to the site, much like conventional gas station or truck stops.
Examples & Additional Insights
Partnering with WattEV, the City of Blythe, California, secured an award from the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program to develop a publicly accessible EV charging facility along the I-10 corridor that will support both heavy-duty freight vehicles and light-duty vehicles. Taking advantage of federal funding opportunities can allow cities to expand their MHD EV charging offerings without depleting their own budgets.
Photo used with permission from ECBC partner EVgo.
Zeem Solutions, an EV solutions provider, offers shared charging to more than a dozen third-party freight and passenger fleets at its flagship site in Inglewood, California, outside of the Los Angeles International . Entering mutually beneficial partnerships with private EV charging providers can help cities meet their deployment goals and stimulate the local economy without the onus of the associated planning and costs.
Fleets
Cities can play a direct and robust role in accelerating the transition to an electrified transportation sector by making commitments to electrify public fleets and encouraging private fleets to do the same. City commitments may be especially effective for city buses and light-duty city fleets, which are already prime candidates for electrification because of their fixed routes and reliable access to city-owned facilities where charging can be installed, as well as the rapidly growing variety of models, declining purchase costs, and attractive total cost of ownership (due to fuel and maintenance savings) of EVs. In most cases, electrifying these segments will immediately begin saving cities money.
Photo used with permission from the City of Ann Arbor.
One of the most direct influences a city can have on electrification is to purchase and roll out electric buses—resulting in immediate emissions reductions and improvements to air quality and public health equity. Cities can require up to 100% EV procurement of city transit fleets by 2030 (or another target year) and/or change their contracting process to prioritize e-buses. Cities may also negotiate with regional transit providers to incorporate EVs into their fleets.
These policies are tailored to bus fleets, but lessons learned from the associated charging infrastructure deployment can also be applied to a city’s general approach to charging network build-out, especially when planning for other types of MHD vehicles.
Examples & Additional Insights
Washington State’s King County Metro now exclusively procures EVs and is building a charging hub that, beginning in 2026, will service 120 electric buses as part of its transition to a zero-emission vehicle fleet powered by renewable energy by 2035. In March 2024, bus manufacturer GILLIG was awarded a King County Metro contract for nearly 400 electric buses. Long-term contracts with trusted partner companies can allow local governments to create reliable and consistent electric transit systems.
Beverly, Massachusetts, a small town of approximately 40,000 people, is transitioning its full school bus fleet (27 buses) to electric, locally-made Thomas Built buses. Focusing on electrifying transit options for populations that are especially vulnerable to the consequences of air pollution (like children) can allow cities to substantially increase their return on investment and quickly demonstrate the value of electrifying transportation.
Many cities are actively adding zero-emission buses to their fleets for fixed routes. This is most likely influenced by federal funding programs that focus on transit buses. Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area Transit Authority;, Portland, Oregon Tri-Met Transportation agency; and Orlando, Florida’s LYNX bus system are a few examples.
Securing funding to purchase fleet vehicles is a crucial part of advancing electrification. A city can look to various funding sources to support fleet electrification, including state and federal grants or public-private partnerships with businesses or utilities meant to assist in rapid fleet electrification. These funds can come in the form of grants, rebates, or other incentives.
Typically, batteries are the costliest part of an EV. So, in addition to directly purchasing EVs, a city can support and explore new business models that look at leasing all or part of a vehicle (i.e. the battery) or hybrid approaches where an owner would buy a battery over time. Here are some examples of innovative business models cities can use to procure fleet vehicles:
- A city might partner with a utility (or other capital provider) using a “pay as you save” financial mechanism that allows a utility or business to pay for the upfront battery cost while the customer or city pays the business back monthly using savings from the EV’s lower operational, fuel, and maintenance costs. Once the utility/business recovers its costs, the equipment belongs to the customer or city.
- Capital/municipal leasing is a popular financing alternative to ownership or an operating lease. These tax-exempt leases carry much lower interest rates—and therefore lower costs—allowing communities to finance their fleets more efficiently and potentially expedite transportation electrification.
- Mobility-as-a-service (MaaS), also known as transportation- or fleet-as-a-service (TaaS or FaaS), involves switching vehicle ownership and use from a purchase model to a subscription model. With this system, a private or public transportation provider is paid to handle all aspects of ownership, including maintenance and insurance, while the customer uses the vehicle or fleet for the duration of the contract. Zeem, Highland Electric Fleets, and D&M Leasing are some of the vendors in this space.
Examples & Additional Insights
In 2024, Baltimore City Public Schools used federal funding to finance a “FaaS” contract with Highland Electric Fleets, allowing the district to add 25 electric school buses to its fleet. Combining different cost-saving mechanisms—like federal funding and innovative contracts with private fleet vehicle providers—can maximize the impact of the money spent on a city’s electric fleets.
Dominion Energy, a power utility serving Virginia, provides financial and technical assistance for school districts to buy electric school buses and install charging infrastructure. The utility-led program has put 135 electric buses—which have now driven more than 1.5 million miles—into service across 25 Virginia school districts. As part of the program, school districts can choose to enroll their buses in Dominion’s Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) system. By drawing from the energy stored in idle bus batteries during peak demand periods, such as on a hot day in the summer, Dominion saves money on power purchases. This utility initiative is a win for everyone, resulting in improved grid reliability, lower emissions, and cost savings for schools. Utilities are crucial partners for cities as they build out an electric transportation system.
Cities can adopt policies that transition municipal fleets to 100% electric by 2030 (or earlier) to drive transportation electrification in their jurisdiction. For most applications, light-duty EVs have an attractive total cost of ownership with significant fuel and maintenance savings that grow with increased vehicle usage.
Examples & Additional Insights
South Pasadena, California, electrified its entire 20-vehicle police fleet. The new electric police cars have a stellar safety rating (better than their fossil-fuel-powered counterparts) and lower maintenance costs. South Pasadena installed dedicated chargers at City Hall, and the city is planning to build a solar-powered, battery-backup charging system to run the cars on clean energy, even if the power goes out. This transition will dramatically reduce local air pollution, especially since police vehicles are often idling during traffic stops and when responding to emergency calls. Electrifying high-use fleets can allow cities to rapidly experience the benefits of transportation electrification and demonstrate its value to residents.
Photo borrowed from City of South Pasadena press release.
Charlotte plans to have a 100% ZEV fleet by 2030 and is requiring that the electricity used to run the city’s EVs must be powered using zero-carbon electricity sources either on-site or through contracts. So far, Charlotte’s city fleet has logged more than 261,000 electric miles. Combining EV deployment goals with clean power generation goals can maximize the sustainability impact of city fleets.
Procurement and use policies can help communities more assertively electrify fleets of all types (light-, medium-, and heavy-duty) and maximize their impact. “EV-first” procurement policies stipulate that new vehicle purchases made by city affiliates must be EVs unless a waiver is obtained based on high cost or other substantive reasons. “EV use” policies direct city staff to use electric fleet vehicles over comparable internal combustion engine vehicles when both are available. The design and implementation of these policies can be informed by GPS-equipped telematics that provide data on the efficiency of fleet vehicle use, including EV duty cycles and range needs.
Examples & Additional Insights
New York City has committed to transitioning its entire city fleet to ZEVs by 2035. The city already operates over 4,800 EVs and mandates that EVs be prioritized for fleet replacements unless they are unsuitable for a specific task. Choosing EV models that are well suited for the tasks performed by a city fleet is important to ensuring high usage.
Madison, in support of its goal to have a 100% ZEV municipal fleet by 2030, became the first city in North America to deploy an all-electric firetruck in 2021. As MHD EV technology advances, cities can confidently enact EV-first procurement policies knowing there are viable replacement options available for all of their gas-powered vehicles, regardless of their size class.
Consumer
While many policies that drive EV adoption among consumers (such as vehicle purchase incentives and funding for charging infrastructure) are implemented at the federal and state levels, cities also have a role to play in increasing consumer adoption of EVs. Not only are cities critical in the buildout of EV charging infrastructure networks, but they also have a unique role to play in educating their residents. Cities can also coordinate bulk purchases and implement policies that require rideshare companies to transition their fleets to EVs.
See the Climate Mayors EV Purchasing Collaborative for more information about procuring EVs through bulk purchase agreements.
Photo used with permission from the City of Cincinnati.
While two of the largest mobility service providers (Lyft and Uber) have already committed to 100% zero-emission operations by 2030, cities can pursue additional policies to accelerate such transitions and guarantee compliance. These can include requiring taxi companies and other mobility service providers to drive only EVs within the city (established as part of the permitting process for the company to operate within the city), imposing volume caps on ride-hailing vehicle licenses while exempting electric ride-hailing vehicles, providing differential taxes or charges to encourage EV adoption, and providing subsidies for EV ride-hailing. These requirements may be implemented in conjunction with zero-emission zones and other fleet electrification standards.
Examples & Additional Insights
New York City set an exemption allowing electric ride-hail vehicles to operate outside the city’s vehicle license cap. In 2024, the city also launched its Green Rides Initiative, requiring the city’s rideshare fleets to consist of 100% ZEVs or wheelchair-accessible vehicles by 2030. Offering rideshare companies opportunities to increase their business via EV adoption can increase the proportion of EVs on city roads, improving local air quality.
San Francisco adopted a lower ride-hail surcharge tax for EVs (1.5% for EVs vs. 3.25% for conventional vehicles). Taxes are an excellent mechanism by which cities can incentivize EV adoption among specific groups.
The Twin Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in Minnesota created the Evie Electric Carshare program, providing 170 shared EVs across the area which the public can use for a small fee. Setting up electric car share programs can help cities meet transportation electrification goals while also giving residents the opportunity to experience driving an EV for themselves, encouraging consumer adoption.
Even though light-duty EVs are more cost-effective than their gas counterparts on a total cost of ownership basis due to the fuel and maintenance savings, higher purchase prices remain a significant barrier to greater EV adoption. Bulk purchase agreements are a great way to lower the upfront cost of buying EVs and accelerate mass EV adoption.
Increased EV awareness is still needed across all transportation sectors. One cost-effective way to raise awareness and influence consumer purchases is through dealer engagement and broad educational campaigns. Cities can work with franchise car dealerships to train dealers on how to sell EVs. Either independently or in coordination with dealers, cities can also conduct educational outreach campaigns to inform residents about EVs, organize “Ride and Drive” events, and raise awareness about the financial, climate, and health benefits of going electric.
Examples & Additional Insights
Columbus, Ohio, through the Smart Columbus organization, introduced the Electrified Dealer Program, which aims to accelerate EV adoption in the Columbus region by having dealerships commit to placing EVs on their lots and actively marketing them. Smart Columbus also hosted a Ride and Drive Roadshow, offering 7,500+ drives to consumers in an exciting, experiential education environment. Working directly with dealerships on EV education and marketing can help increase consumer awareness in cities.
In 2020, Fort Collins, Colorado, implemented five group EV purchases with assistance from the Electrification Coalition’s Drive Electric Northern Colorado program. Pre-negotiated savings were dramatic, reducing prices by $5,000–$10,000 per vehicle (not including state and federal tax credits). Participating programs saw EV sales increase to up to three times the average within Colorado. Cities should emphasize the cost savings that result from bulk purchase agreements when communicating with potential collaborators.
Orlando, in conjunction with the Orlando Utilities Commission, launched the Electrified Dealership Program. The program incentivizes both dealers and consumers to go electric with increasing-scale dealer rebates and $200 consumer rebates per EV sold, as well as gift cards for test-driving EVs. Offering fun educational experiences alongside monetary incentives can drive consumer adoption within cities.
New York City’s NYSERDA Charge Ready NY 2.0 program provides rebates to organizations that install Level 2 EV chargers at workplaces, multi-unit dwellings, or public operated by governments. An additional bonus incentive is provided if those organizations participate in EV education activities for tenants or employees. Pairing consumer education campaigns with charger deployment can maximize the use of installed infrastructure.
Additional Resources
In addition to putting EV-friendly policies into place at the municipal level, city officials should support similar policies at the state, utility, and federal levels. For example, a city might endorse policies such as ZEV regulations (like the Advanced Clean Cars Program for passenger cars or the Advanced Clean Trucks rule); ZEV memorandums of understanding (MOU) (for light–duty vehicles or trucks); policies that support the purchase of EVs such as rebates or tax credits; direct sales legislation to allow for increased consumer choice by new EV-only automakers (such as in Colorado or Connecticut); and utility rates, incentives, or business models with battery leasing.
Linked below are additional Electrification Coalition resources that cities may find helpful as they work to electrify transportation in their communities.
Policy
- The AchiEVe Guides: a national toolkit designed to accelerate the switch to EVs in an effective and equitable way by providing various stakeholders with model EV policies at the state, local, and utility levels. (Sierra Club, Plug In America, FORTH, and Electrification Coalition). Released on January 16, 2025.
- Cutting the Red Tape—Updating Permitting Processes and Building Codes to Support EVSE Deployment: a compilation of permitting structures and building code updates cities can employ to streamline charging infrastructure deployment. Released on January 31, 2024.
- Streamlining EVSE Permitting and Building Codes: another brief resource exploring how cities can accelerate charging infrastructure deployment by revamping permitting processes and building codes. Released on December 4, 2023.
- EV Readiness Ordinance Case Studies: a compilation of case studies on EV readiness ordinances implemented by cities during the Bloomberg American Climate Cities Challenge. Released on August 17, 2023.
- State EV Policy Dashboard: an interactive display of up-to-date data for major categories of leading state executive branch and legislative EV policy efforts. Released on January 21, 2021.
- EV Roadmap Roundup: an analysis of 17 state EV roadmaps that provides cross-cutting recommendations and allows users to compare reports across states. Includes links to local, state, and national roadmaps. Released on January 21, 2021.
- ZEV State Policy Scorecards: a single comprehensive and data-driven ranking of the key policies being implemented in ZEV MOU states to support increased EV adoption. Released on June 14, 2018.
Planning
- Charging Infrastructure Webinar Series: our ongoing webinar series that addresses different aspects of charging infrastructure deployment.
- Electric Freight Dashboard: a tool that tracks electric freight and MHD charging deployment in the United States, made in collaboration with Atlas Public Policy. Originally released on February 19, 2024, and updated regularly.
- Powering Progress—Advancing Transportation Electrification in Rural Southeastern Communities: a resource for rural Southeast communities that are beginning or continuing their journeys toward widespread adoption of EVs, addressing common roadblocks that they could face with reference to case studies of communities that have effectively solved them. Released on July 17, 2024.
- Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Implementation Guide: a report describing the potential to use V2X-enabled electric school buses as alternative emergency backup power sources during outages and detailed steps emergency managers and responders and other key stakeholders with access to V2X technology should take before, during, and after an emergency. Released on January 24, 2023.
- Advancing Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology Adoption: a report detailing how policymakers can help “future-proof” EVs and charging infrastructure to ensure that the U.S. is poised to take advantage of V2G’s many benefits. Released on June 15, 2022.
Procurement
- The EV Funding Finder: a database that helps cities, states, businesses, and communities identify and apply for federal funding opportunities related to transportation electrification. Updated regularly.
- evPORT Procurement Portal: a platform for electric port equipment procurement. Originally released October 27, 2024, and updated regularly.
- Elective Pay Under the IRA: a collection of resources designed to help tax-exempt entities access federal EV tax credits via elective pay. Released on May 15, 2024.
- EV Funding and Finance Guide: a tool to help readers identify funding and financing options to help overcome the barrier of high upfront costs when electrifying transportation. Released on January 21, 2021.
Partnerships
- Dealership Experiences and Outlooks Selling, Leasing, and Servicing EVs: a report exploring dealership attitudes toward EVs and how these influence adoption. Released on September 17, 2024.
- Piloting the Transition to Electric Freight: a report exploring the experience of EC partner companies transitioning their fleets to EVs. Released on June 7, 2023.
- Utility Fleet Advisory Services White Paper: a paper detailing how utilities can support fleets transitioning to EVs via dedicated support staff. Released in February 2023.
- Freight Electrification Report: an Electrification Coalition report that addresses the advantages electric trucks have over diesel trucks, the barriers impeding production and sales, and the actions that stakeholders can take to facilitate and accelerate freight electrification. Released on November 12, 2020.
Technical Assistance
The Electrification Coalition also offers technical assistance to cities working to electrify transportation within their communities. If your city is interested in working with us to expand local EV adoption and/or charging deployment, or if your city has already started its transition to an electric transportation system and wishes to be featured in this resource, please email us at infrastructure@electrificationcoalition.org.