Municipal governments play an important role in enabling drivers to adopt electric vehicles by addressing regulatory and other barriers to vehicle charging. Municipalities can also lead by example by electrifying fleet vehicles where feasible. When making plans and policies regarding electric vehicles, it is important to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, especially electric utilities, early on in the process. A good overall resource is Alternative Fuel Vehicle Readiness: A Guidebook for Municipalities that covers planning for electric and other alternative fuel vehicles. It was published by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, but may be useful for municipalities in any state.
State Resources for Pennsylvania Municipalities
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) in conjunction with researchers at Temple University has developed an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Development Guidebook for Pennsylvania Local Governments. The guidebook includes a model ordinance as well as tips for locating charging stations, addressing equity concerns, and working with charging networks as a municipality.
PennDOT has also published a compilation of case studies and findings from stakeholder outreach around the Commonwealth, available here.
State Resources for New Jersey Municipalities
Municipalities in New Jersey should refer to the State’s Charge Up Your Town: Best Management Practices to Ensure Your Town is EV Ready. It covers the State’s goals and mandates for vehicle electrification, the statewide EVSE ordinance, and best practices for installing EV charging stations. To summarize:
- The statewide EV ordinance that went into effect in 2021 allows for EVSE in all zoning districts and requires EVSE and pre-wired parking spaces in new multiple dwellings with five or more units and parking garages
- To ensure your town is EV Ready: implement the statewide ordinance, install EV charging stations, and understand financial incentives available to install charging stations
Key Takeaways
- Local planners should be aware of the current state of vehicle electrification in their communities. Below are data sources grouped by coverage area:
- Pennsylvania statewide: PennDOT Electric Vehicle Registrations by County and ZIP Code
- New Jersey statewide: NJ DEP Electric Vehicle Data
- Local governments can install charging stations at suitable locations
- Municipalities can host chargers at community locations such as libraries and public parking lots. The type and number of chargers should strategically align with the characteristics of the drivers visiting the station as well as the goals of the site host
- Municipally installed chargers should promote equity and resiliency by addressing gaps in coverage left by the private sector, especially for those living in multifamily housing units without personal driveways or garages. Public charging stations for visitors and employees can also be an attractive amenity for local businesses.
- Since EVSE can consume a significant amount of electricity, a building’s electrical panel may need to be upgraded in order to support the additional load. Utility companies should be consulted early on in the site selection process to determine if grid capacity will be an issue.
- The cost of installing EVSE partly depends on how much electrical utility work is required to connect the equipment to the grid. Installation costs can be minimized by choosing a location that already has extra space on its electrical panel and located the charger as close to the electric panel as practical.
- If electrical upgrades are being performed as part of a new charger installation, it often makes financial sense to install additional electrical conduit and panel capacity at the outset. This can make future installations easier and less expensive.
- Municipalities can install and operate chargers themselves or contract with a charging network.
- Chargers should have time limits and/or a fee structure that promotes their efficient use by discouraging longer than necessary parking times at charging spaces.
- Municipalities should adopt ordinances that are supportive of EVs
- Zoning codes should explicitly list PEV charging stations as a permitted accessory use in most or all zoning districts
- Municipal zoning codes should be amended to require or incentivize pre-wiring or charging station installations at new residential and non-residential developments. Pre-wiring, also known as make-ready parking, is when builders run electrical conduit, intended to power charging equipment, to locations where vehicles will be parked. While pre-wiring alone does not create ready-to-use chargers, preparing for future electrical needs during the construction phase dramatically reduces the cost of installing chargers later.
- Fleet managers should consider electric options when replacing vehicles
- Projects and vehicle purchases should take advantage of state grants and other financial incentives.