Challenge

Access to charging is essential for drivers of all kinds. However, affordable access to clean transportation can face additional challenges for underserved tribal communities, including power availability, investment potential, and community buy-in. What can we achieve with intentional, proactive community engagement?

Objectives and solutions

The Upper Midwest Inter-Tribal EV Charging Community Network, referred to as “Electric Nation,” is a “whole of economy approach” to provide access to clean and affordable transportation for underserved tribal communities. Electric Nation’s goals include increasing access for communities to essential services and increasing collaboration across the upper Midwest region tribal communities.

Electric Nation is a growing regional community-led EV charging initiative. It is a holistically designed project led by Native Sun Community Power Development (NSCPD) and Standing Rock (SAGE) Renewable Energy Power Authority and in partnership with the American Lung Association, Minnesota Center for Energy & Environment, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Xcel Energy, Ottertail Power, Minnesota Power, and Zef Energy.

While the project is not exclusive to multifamily housing (MFH) residential charging, it is notable for its structure and approach to curating investments in EV charging, led by community-based decision-making and community priorities. Currently, in the middle of its three-year grant cycle, Electric Nation is building its foundation. Specific project goals include:

• Install 55 direct current fast-charging units on Tribal lands and connect them to main travel routes and other Tribal communities. 
• Install 60 Level 2 EV supply equipment points at community gathering spots, including grocery stores, multifamily housing, Tribal colleges, casinos, and other destinations. 
• Deploy EVs in Tribal fleets, including 16 light-duty EVs, an electric shuttle, and two electric school buses. 
• Implement two workforce training programs for the members of Red Lake Nation and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
• Implement 52 educational sessions for communities about EV usage and benefits.

Elements for Success

• Community leadership and decision-making ensure that investments made through Electric Nation are well-designed for and supported by the community. Too often, projects intended to benefit communities are initiated without their input and result in a mismatch between the needs and desires of the community and project output. Electric Nation offers a model for community-centered planning that focuses on the needs of the community. When implementing solutions intended to support MFH residents in their mobility needs, robust community engagement is needed to ensure the solution meets the need. The aesthetics of EV chargers emerged as a key concern for community members in feedback sessions. Electric Nation implemented this feedback by partnering with Indigenous artists to make the infrastructure inclusive and welcoming to ensure the usage of the stations.
• Distributed energy resources (DERs) were essential to support chargers and offset the cost of each station. Co-locating DERs with EV chargers enabled charger installation across varying sites by avoiding high demand charges and expanding potential site locations.
• External funding has supported the creation and ongoing growth of this project. Cost-sharing among the project partners supports the remaining costs not covered by the federal grant.

References

• Tribal nations, utilities partner on EV access and reliability in the Upper Midwest
• Our Work | Native Sun Community Power Development – Minneapolis, MN 
• The unique role some Tribal nations are taking in the EV transition – Plug In America
• Native-led EV initiative launches by distributing millions of dollars worth of vehicles to tribal communities | MPR News
• Mobility Equity Framework: How to Make Transportation Work for People – The Greenlining Institute

Recap:

Charger type: Level 2 and fast charging
Charging type: Public
Problem addressed: Access, Cost, Equipment
Solution type: Community

The post Electric Nation is providing access to clean and affordable transportation for underserved tribal communities appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Residents of multifamily housing are a critically underserved population when it comes to accessible EV charging. These properties have unique challenges, such as the need to serve many residents, limited electrical capacity, and uncertainty about when residents will switch to EVs.

Most EV drivers travel around 40 miles a day and leave their cars parked for at least 12 hours daily. Installing Level 2 charging, which can recharge a full EV battery in about 4 hours, in apartments and condominiums can require expensive panel upgrades. Recouping these costs drives up per-kWh charging rates for multifamily housing residents and often leads to shuffling vehicles between parking spaces since Level 2 charging for daily use often takes an hour or less. Is there an inexpensive, low-power solution that creates a better fit for EV charging schedules and enables property owners to afford larger EV charging projects?

Objectives and solutions

Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE), a community choice aggregator that sources clean energy for residents in California, aims to reduce the cost of charging installations for landlords and the per-kWh cost of charging for residents. PCE’s EV Ready program provides free technical support and incentives to landlords and property managers who add EV charging to their properties. When property owners seek technical assistance, PCE offers three design options– “good, better, and best”–and the “best” option typically includes the least expensive, lowest-level chargers. Many EV drivers and intenders assume that they need a Level 2 charger (typically 7 kW) to charge their EV. However, according to PCE’s self-published report on the results of their managed charging pilot, about ⅓ of residential EV charging already utilizes a typical 120V outlet. 

For daily driving, Level 1 chargers are completely adequate and cost very little to install. They also complement typical parking behaviors in which drivers park their cars in the evening and don’t move them until they head out the following day. When program participants reach out to PCE to get a quote on costs and incentives for installing Level 2 chargers, PCE will provide that information, but will often recommend more chargers that work at a lower power level as their “best” option. Instead of the upsell costing more, the recommendation provides more chargers for less money. Not only can the cost savings from these projects ultimately reduce the cost of charging in multifamily housing, but they can also serve more drivers, make charging more convenient, and reduce the impact of charging on the grid. 

A recent EV Ready Success Story shared by PCE highlights the fact that an increasing number of prospective renters are asking about EV charging. In response to this demand, Tyrone Properties installed 13 Level 1 and low-power Level 2 chargers for their tenants. With the help of incentives from the EV Ready program, total out-of-pocket costs were less than $150 per charger. Additionally, when possible, the chargers are wired directly to the resident’s apartment’s electric meter. This allows customers to take advantage of utility-offered EV rates and time-of-use residential rates that make the grid cleaner and more efficient and reduce the cost of electricity. PCE has installed more than 1,600 chargers so far and has 3,000 more in progress. About three-quarters of these support people living in multifamily housing.

Elements for Success

• Peninsula Clean Energy is uniquely positioned as a special-purpose public agency and a non-profit to meet the charging needs of residents.
• PCE offers cheaper rates than the investor-owned utility whose territory in which it resides. Because there are no shareholders, everything they make from selling power is invested in electrification programs.
• Savings from the increased efficiency of the system put downward pressure on rates.
• PCE’s focus on “right sized” EV charging is allowing for larger sized projects at affordable costs for property owners.

References

• PCE EV Managed Charging Pilot Results
• Access to slow EV chargers could speed up EV adoption among renters
• Peninsula Clean Energy EV Ready Program
• EV READY SUCCESS STORY Tyrone Properties adds EV charging  at low to no cost

Recap:

Charger type: Level 1 and Level 2 charging
Charging type: Public or private
Problem addressed: Access, Cost
Solution Type: Utility

The post Peninsula Clean Energy prioritizes widespread low-level charging for increased cost savings and access. appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

In order to provide EV chargers in a multifamily housing property, it is often the property owners and managers that need to be convinced. What can be done to make it as easy and inexpensive as possible to install and manage EV chargers in multifamily housing buildings?

Objectives and solutions

In Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Commercial EV Charger Program will provide commercial and multifamily property owners with up to four free Level 2 chargers in their buildings. These chargers are FLO CoRe+ chargers, which come with a 5-year performance warranty and a 5-year software package. Charger accessories can also be included, depending on the building’s needs.

Multifamily properties with at least five units are eligible to apply for the grant, which is not fulfilled until the properties can provide evidence that the site is ready for EV charger installation. Applicants are prioritized based on the building location and expected charger demand within the building. Ann Arbor developed a GIS map with scores that take into account the density of multifamily rentals, access to public transportation, and local EV charger availability.  

The grant stipulates certain parameters for property managers. These include ensuring the cost of charging does not exceed the cost of electricity (plus a transaction fee), allowing full public accessibility to EV chargers, maintaining 90% uptime for the chargers, and more. Building owners must allow the City of Ann Arbor to inspect the site and must report charger data to the city twice per year. After the 5-year software package and warranty expire, grant recipients will be responsible for their own software and maintenance costs.

Elements for Success

• Ann Arbor’s Commercial EV Charger Program removes financial barriers for property managers and owners to deliver a service to drivers inside and outside their complexes. 
• The program also sets safeguards that protect EV drivers by ensuring they are not overcharged for electricity. These multifamily housing residents can now pay the same rates for charging as other drivers who charge at home.

References

• Ann Arbor’s NEW Commercial EV Charger Program
• FLO Chargers Power Ann Arbor’s Commercial Charging Program
• Ann Arbor offers free electric vehicle chargers for commercial and multifamily buildings

Recap:

Charger type: Level 2 charging
Charging type: Public
Problem addressed: Access, Equipment, Cost
Solution type: Policy

The post City of Ann Arbor launches program to help commercial and multi-family property owners install EV chargers appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Public charging is often more expensive than home charging and requires smart location siting to ensure it can serve drivers’ needs. How can public charging be affordable and convenient for drivers dependent on public infrastructure to get a charge?

Objectives and solutions

Shell Recharge’s Volta EV Charging Network has over 2,000 stations across the country, which typically are available at no cost to an EV driver. Volta installs and manages its Level 2 chargers, which are equipped with a universal connector to ensure that any EV can use its network. 

Not only are Volta chargers free, but they’re also generally installed in easily reachable locations. Whole Foods is an example of this; the chain hosts at least 37 Level 2 Volta chargers in their parking lots across the country. This allows for EV drivers around the country to top up their battery level while getting groceries they need. 

Volta chargers exist at locations like this nationwide, enabling convenience in public EV charging. Lindsey, an EV driver in Texas, provided one example of this in her life. “I absolutely love when a Volta charger is free at the ice rink, so I can top up while I’m practicing. I don’t have a charger at home, so I have to rely on public chargers for all my power needs. The Volta chargers save me time and are conveniently located at a place I already visit once a week.”

Volta’s free-of-charge service can exist because of the business model it uses. The chargers feature digital screens that display advertisements. As long as Volta can make revenue from advertisements, then they can offer their charging at no cost to the driver.

Elements for Success

• The most appealing feature of the Volta charging network is that many of its chargers are free to the driver. Volta explored creative revenue paths with its chargers, which allow it to generate revenue without the driver having to pay for charging.
• Beyond the cost, the chargers are available at convenient locations that can fit into a consumer’s routine. By focusing on places that EV drivers are going to be anyway – such as a grocery store – Volta is making their chargers accessible.

References

• Volta EV Charging Network
• Startup Volta will charge your electric car for free – seriously

Recap:

Average charging cost: Free!
Charging type: Public
Problem addressed: Access, Cost
Solution type: Technology

The post Volta Charging offers free charging at over 2,000 public charging locations across the country appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Not everyone wants or needs to own a vehicle. Especially in dense urban areas, owning a vehicle can be a liability. Cars themselves are expensive, but registration, financing, inspections, maintenance, repairs, and fuel costs add up. How can low- and moderate-income households access the benefits of a clean vehicle without having to own one?

Objectives and solutions

Forth, a nonprofit organization, partners with other local organizations to provide affordable EV car sharing in multiple locations in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and New Mexico. Local residents can access the cars by downloading an app and making a one-time payment of $10. After completing an orientation, program participants receive a $20 ride credit for their first drive. Rentals cost between $4 and $6 an hour plus tax. 

GoForth offers several advantages to drivers and communities. In addition to providing high-quality, reliable private transportation to low- and moderate-income drivers without cars, the charging installations include extra Level 2 charging ports to expand access to EV charging in communities with limited access to home charging. It also offers drivers a low-risk, no-pressure opportunity to try an EV locally and see how it can meet their transportation needs.  

This program is designed to provide lower-income communities with the cost and air quality benefits of clean transportation. It intentionally prioritizes vehicles and charging at affordable housing developments. The program has been so successful that the model is expanding to additional locations in participating states and new locations such as North Carolina and Missouri. GoForth is built on support from local electric utilities, the U.S. Department of Energy, foundations, municipalities, and state agencies. 

Elements for Success

• The GoForth Carshare program offers extremely low-cost private transportation options in late-model zero-emission vehicles. Forth is able to keep costs low through grants they receive. 
• Utility and federal partnerships have helped the program get started and expand.

References

• GoForth Carshare Program
• Albuquerque brings the energy to affordable transportation
• GoForth Guidebook

Recap:

Charger type: Level 2
Charging Type: Public
Problem addressed: Access, Cost, Equipment
Solution type: Community

The post GoForth’s carshare program provides affordable EV carshare and charging in multiple locations appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Multifamily building owners are often reluctant to install EV chargers because of the high upfront cost, building upgrades, and maintenance required. Tenants who live in these buildings may not be willing to drive an EV if there are no charging stations available. Even if there are no current tenants who drive EVs, multifamily buildings need to plan for the future and install charging stations as a basic service for residents. How can building owners and managers be motivated and supported to build EV infrastructure for residents?

Objectives and solutions

Amperage Capital has an innovative solution to this problem. Based in Dallas, Texas, Amperage Capital is an infrastructure investor and operator with a goal to close the gap between EV infrastructure demand and investment. Amperage knows that EV adoption will continue to accelerate, presenting a huge opportunity for long-term investment in charging infrastructure. Amperage Capital will pay 100% of the cost of charging equipment and installation, including Level 2 and DC fast chargers, and offer property owners a revenue share, which brings in extra income. The installation process is quick and simple. Chargers are assembled off-site and installed in a few days, minimizing on-site work and utility upgrades. 

For EV drivers, the process is even easier. Each tenant is assigned a parking space with a charger for their exclusive use. They activate the chargers using their phone or RFID card, which they receive after signing a lease agreement. Tenants make a small monthly payment for the cost of charging through an app. Amperage owns and maintains the charging stations, and property owners collect a share of the revenue. Amperage Capital works to help all kinds of buildings, including retailers, hospitals, city governments, and parking garages, provide reliable and accessible EV charging and keep up with growing demand. 

Elements for Success

• Long-term, upfront investment makes charging infrastructure installation possible for more multifamily building owners and residents and ensures buildings will be ready for future tenants who drive EVs.
• The simple process for residents to reserve parking spaces with EV chargers and pay a monthly fee opens up the opportunity to drive an EV to more renters.

References

• Home – Amperage Capital
• Driver Home – Amperage Capital 

Recap:

Charging cost: Small monthly subscription
Charging type: Private
Problem addressed: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Technology

The post Amperage Capital motivates landlords to install EV infrastructure through revenue share model appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Demand for electricity from the grid fluctuates throughout the day, which causes prices to fluctuate as well. Electric vehicle (EV) batteries can charge and store energy when demand is low and feed it back into the grid when demand is high. How can we leverage this unique EV capability for multifamily housing residents?

Objectives and solutions

BlueHub Capital, a nonprofit community development financing organization, saw an opportunity for affordable housing developments to provide EV charging for residents while earning credits from their local electric utility. They partnered with Fermata Energy, a company that makes a bi-directional EV charger that can transport electricity between a vehicle and the grid (which is called vehicle-to-grid or V2G charging). This utility partnership allows EVs at multifamily residences to support grid efficiency while earning revenue to help lower the costs of charger installation and the electricity for charging. The first location selected for this V2G pilot was the Girls Latin Academy Apartments located in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, MA, and managed by the Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation.

Since June 2023, a resident at this affordable housing complex has been able to rent a Nissan LEAF and charge it at home using Fermata Energy’s 20kW bi-directional charger. The local electric utility, Eversource, notifies Fermata Energy of an ‘event’ when they need additional power and electricity will be discharged from the car back into the grid. These ‘events’ are usually in the evenings in the summer, corresponding with peak energy demand. Eversource pays Fermata Energy $200 per kW discharged during an ‘event’. If the car is plugged in for a total of 40 to 60 events for 2 to 3 hours each, it could earn up to $4,000 per summer, which could offset electricity costs for charging.

This project required an upfront loan from BlueHub Capital for the building’s charger installation. The driver receives free charging and discounts on their car lease from Enterprise and insurance. In the future, the pilot could be expanded to include more drivers who could bring their own cars, more buildings that can earn revenue, and software that can manage the load of each vehicle in a bank of chargers. For now, the participating driver appreciates the opportunity to save money and build a more sustainable future.

Elements for Success

• The upfront loan provided by BlueHub Capital made this project possible for an affordable housing development that may not have otherwise been able to provide EV charging for residents.
• The utility partnership between Fermata Energy and Eversource was critical for the installation process and the bidirectional charging software, which allows credits for energy discharged back into the grid during peak ‘events.’

References

• Electric Vehicle Pilot – BlueHub Capital
• First-in-Nation Pilot to Provide Affordable Access to EV
• How V2X works – Fermata Energy

Recap:

Charger type: DC fast charging
Charging type: Private
Problem solved: Access, Equipment, Cost
Solution type: Technology

The post Fermata Energy offsets charging costs in multifamily housing through vehicle-to-grid pilot appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Electric vehicles can lower transportation costs and save consumers money. Still, if you live in multifamily housing and don’t have access to home charging, these benefits may be diminished by the higher cost of using public chargers. How can these EV drivers access convenient and low-cost charging options?

Objectives and solutions

The State of Vermont developed a program to subsidize charging at multifamily housing across the state. Charge Vermont is funded by the state and administered by Vermont’s largest electric utility. Essentially, this program provides free (or almost free) installation of Level 1 and Level 2 chargers in multifamily housing. It offers up to 90% of the total project cost for market-rate housing installations and up to 95% of the total project cost for projects with a minimum of 50% affordable housing units. Federal, state, and utility incentives can all be used as a match. The program was initially funded by state appropriations but is now funded by EV registration fees.

Vermont is considered the most rural state in the U.S., with almost 65% of its population living in rural areas. About 23% of Vermont’s housing is multifamily, and because Vermont is so rural, multifamily housing, including manufactured home parks, isn’t necessarily located in cities. Many Vermonters living in multifamily housing still have long commutes. Beginning in 2022, the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development recognized a need for affordable and convenient home charging access for drivers living in multifamily housing. It developed a $1 million pilot to test how EV charging solutions could work for multi-unit property owners and residents. The pilot used grant recipient interviews, cost assessments, station use reporting and analysis, and case studies to develop best practices. The pilot has increased EV charging access to residents in 28 multifamily properties, with a total of 78 charging ports contracted. More recently, the VT Legislature passed a bill appropriating $7 million for the Charge VT program based on the learnings of the pilot. 

One program requirement is to ensure that charging is distributed throughout the state, so no county can receive more than 10% of the available funding. Currently, counties with more urban areas are fully subscribed, but funding is still available in counties with more rural areas. Property managers interested in participating can fill out a simple online application form and participate in a pre-screening call. Charging equipment installers can be selected by the property manager or from a list of installation partners provided through the program. The equipment must be maintained for at least five years and must be networked equipment if the chargers are available to the general public. Equipment does not have to be networked if charging is restricted to residents only, which may keep costs lower for home charging.  

Another unique and important feature of the program is that, through a partnership with Green Mountain Power, the state’s largest electric utility and program administrator, building owners can access a significant portion of the funding incentives before they start work. This is critical for smaller property owners who don’t have easy access to capital and can make it financially feasible for them to move forward with charging projects. 

In 2024, the State Legislature passed a bill imposing additional registration fees on EVs. Unlike most states that use EV fees for road maintenance, Vermont is using these fees to fund this program, thus expanding access to charging for residents of multifamily housing. 

Elements for Success

• Incentives can be stacked with utility programs, which are widely available in other states, and federal tax credits, making charger installations inexpensive or free.
• The program leverages a utility partnership to offer the bulk of the incentive before construction begins, covering the upfront investment that often deters property managers from installing EV chargers.

References

• Charge Vermont EV Chargers for Multi-unit Residences
• Multi-unit EV Charging Incentive Program
• Affordable Homes with Equitable Access to Transportation Options

Recap

Charger type: Level 1 or Level 2
Public or private
Problem addressed: Access, cost
Solution type: Policy

The post Charge Vermont incentivizes multifamily housing property owners to install EV charging throughout the state appeared first on Plug In America.