Town Of Edgartown: Electric Vehicles On The Rise

Press release from the Town of Edgartown:

07/16/2021 11:32 AM

When it comes to the rollout of EVs, the most basic questions for cities will be over siting charging stations. The U.S. will need 9.6 million charging ports by 2030, the Edison Electric Institute, an industry group, predicted nearly three years ago. By comparison, the U.S. Department of Energy says there are currently 42,000 public charging station in the country, offering a combined total of 100,000 charging ports. (That does not include private chargers, like those used for bus fleets or home charging.)

To ensure all individuals can make the choice to switch to an electric vehicle, local governments will have to think about things like the places where people are already using electric vehicles, how placement of charging stations can be used to help economic development, and how to distribute infrastructure equitably.

More broadly, cities, regions, the federal government, and energy producers will also have to think about what kind of electrical power fuels the grid because increased power demand means increased emissions unless renewable energy is used.

The coming wave of EVs could change everything from simple parking space requirements for new developments to economic growth opportunities for disadvantaged neighborhoods. Not surprisingly, though, city leaders and planners will have a big role in determining how many vehicles will come to town and where they'll be able to be used.

Want to learn more?  Read the full article on the APA website, here.

This press release was produced by the Town of Edgartown. The views expressed here are the author’s own.