Challenge

For EV drivers in cities, charging can be difficult to access for various reasons. Installing chargers in cities can be time-intensive and expensive, or they can be challenging to site and get a utility connection to the grid. Even once installed, traditional chargers are bulky and may not blend well with streetscapes. How can cities scale rapid, cost-effective charging?

Objectives and solutions

it’s electric, a New York-based company, has leveraged a creative and simple solution to power a charger by tapping into excess electric capacity in a nearby building. This approach to using existing infrastructure and grid connections to power curbside chargers across cities can save time and money, enabling rapid EV charging installation at scale. it’s electric developed public charging with the intention of it being a permanent replacement and solution for a home charger. 

it’s electric partners with property owners seeking to install chargers on their property’s curbs. it’s electric powers their chargers using the spare electrical capacity from existing buildings, which they confirm with the property owner. During their short, two-day installation process, they run a shallow conduit from the building’s electrical panel to the new charger, which is located at the curb. The installation process is much quicker than the average curbside charger, even though they still have to get the appropriate permits from the city. The chargers are also separately metered so that the electrical usage can be billed separately and paid to the utility by it’s electric.

it’s electric chargers are all Level 2 and available to the public 24/7 all year. The chargers have been carefully designed to blend better with cityscapes by occupying less square footage and visual space, and to be tough enough to survive being located at the curb. it’s electric is also the first U.S. company to apply a smart design principle that works in Europe: detachable cables (also known as the bring your own cable (BYOC) model). 

it’s electric owns, operates, and maintains the chargers at no cost to the property owner. In fact, it’s electric offers a revenue share with the property owner. Through their initial partnerships, it’s electric is learning that property owners enjoy that they don’t have to manage the parking for chargers. The revenue share for host property partners is $0.06/kWh. This comes out to between $700-$3400 (based on utilization) per year per charger that goes back to the property owner. 

For the driver, the process is simple. Drivers download the it’s electric app, join the network, and request a cable, which it’s electric provides at no cost to the driver. Each driver receives their own charging cable with a connector that matches their vehicle, which can be attached to it’s electric’s chargers. Importantly, their model does not require a membership. Once the driver receives their cable, they can charge at it’s electric chargers. Pricing of charging varies by city. The price is set by it’s electric and the city where the charger is located, and they typically recommend a time-based pricing model with time-of-use rates. This creates both an incentive to unplug the car when it’s done charging and encourages overnight charging by offering a lower nighttime rate.  For the first it’s electric charger installed in Boston, charging costs $1.50 per hour at night (9 pm-6 am) and $3 per hour during the day (6 am-9 pm).

Elements for Success

• By leveraging existing buildings to power charging, it’s electric eliminates time-intensive and costly steps to install chargers. Additionally, their ability to approach property owners with a simple, cost-beneficial solution helps convince building owners that EV charging is an asset.
• The detachable charging cable is designed for cities, where vandalism is often a concern, because charging cables left outside are at risk. With a detachable cable, it’s electric doesn’t have to provide multiple connector types on the chargers themselves. What’s more, it’s electric designed their chargers (including the detachable cable) specifically for the city curbside. The chargers are low-profile and sleek, so they blend seamlessly with cityscapes.

References

• it’s electric
• These Startups Are Finally Bringing EV Chargers to America’s Cities – WSJ
• Breaking Barriers: A Startup Changes The Game For EV Charging In Cities
• Boston and its electric launch the next generation of Urban EV charging

Recap: 

Charger type: Level 2 charging
Charging type: Public
Problem solved: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Technology

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The post it’s electric, a New York-based company, is partnering with property owners and installing public curbside charging with a twist appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

For EV drivers in Burlington, VT, a city-wide goal of reaching Net-Zero Energy by 2030 helps drive creative solutions for EV charging for multifamily housing, including affordable housing.  Burlington’s municipal electric utility boasts 100% renewable energy and continues to drive solutions toward sustainable electrification. Consistent with the utility’s mission, Burlington Electric Department (BED) has identified a creative solution to address access and affordability of EV charging for drivers living in multifamily housing who do not have access to off-street parking. Indeed, one appreciative customer shared the following thoughts: “I’ve been really happy overall with the pole-mounted chargers – they’ve been super convenient, and I honestly can’t say enough good things.” 

Objectives and solution

BED identifies neighborhoods with high numbers of vehicles parking on the streets. Then, BED prioritizes those neighborhoods for the rollout of affordable EV charging and installs Level 2 EV chargers on curbside utility poles. 

These utility-owned and operated chargers are installed 10 feet up on the poles to save space at street level and prevent damage from snow plows and other sources., Using the ampUp app, an EV driver can either scan a QR code on the pole or select the charger from the ampUp map, to trigger the charging cable to descend for easy charging. Not only is the charging convenient, but it’s also affordable, at $0.13 per kilowatt-hour (midnight to noon) and $0.21 cents per kilowatt-hour (noon to midnight). With these new chargers, all Burlingtonians, whether homeowners with space for a Level 2 charger on their property or multifamily renters with no off-street parking, have the opportunity to take advantage of the lower, off-peak charging rate.

BED is studying how well these chargers work and, if this pilot program is successful, will look to install more in additional neighborhoods where residents live in apartments without access to off-street parking. The program is also designed to include residents who live in affordable housing. BED suggests that utilities interested in exploring this technology test both the user interface with the app and the durability of the charging hardware.

Elements for success

• BED is not only providing access to charging for EV drivers, but is also identifying and providing access in areas where it is most needed. By prioritizing neighborhoods where residents do not have access to off-street parking, they are ensuring that the impact of each pole-mounted charger will be maximized.
• BED selected a unique charger configuration that will deter damage to and vandalism of charging cables and use existing utility infrastructure rather than adding new equipment in the curbside area, resulting in easier and quicker installs with no ground site-work.

References

• How Burlington hopes to make EV chargers more accessible
• Burlington Electric Department introduces new pole-mounted electric vehicle chargers to improve charging access

Recap

Charging cost: $0.21/kWh (noon to midnight) or $0.13/kWh (midnight to noon)
Charging type: Public
Problem addressed: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Utility

The post Burlington Electric Department installs pole-mounted EV chargers for targeted curbside charging appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Charging and parking can be difficult for EV drivers in cities. The city of Pittsburgh aims to reduce on-road transportation emissions by 50% and is working to increase vehicle electrification to do so. Pittsburgh also wants to revitalize its downtown Strip District and create more space for local businesses to grow. How can cities use their limited parking space efficiently while providing charging access for EV drivers?

Objectives and solutions

Stak Mobility has developed an open-air vertical parking carousel in Pittsburgh, with other structures in Healdsburg, CA, Gainesville, FL, and Charleston, SC. Each of the 42 parking spaces available in the carousel is outfitted with a Level 2 EV charger. While users don’t necessarily need to have an EV to use this parking carousel, the structure provides a convenient way for EV drivers to find charging. It can provide charging confidence to curious consumers about the options available.

Drivers who want to park in the carousel simply use the Stak Mobility app to find a spot and reserve parking. They confirm through the app and use it to get their car once it’s ready. While some structures have had a valet on-site, this particular carousel is self-service. Drivers pay a monthly subscription for parking and charging, which varies based on the car size.

Stak Mobility’s carousels not only provide charging but also work much more efficiently than the average parking garage. This specific solution freed up about 10,000 square feet of space within the building that can be used for commercial and retail space for local businesses. 

Elements for Success

• Stak Mobility has used private investment to create an EV charging solution that uses space vertically rather than horizontally. EV drivers get more parking space with chargers equipped at each one. The cities targeted for these projects benefit from more space for local businesses and attractions, which can boost their local economy.
• This technological solution provides more charging opportunities in areas where multifamily housing is prevalent and makes charging easy for residents without dedicated parking spaces.

References

• Stak Mobility
• Stak Mobility to Launch Second Mobility Hub in Pittsburgh; Sees Continued Momentum Across the US
• In Pittsburgh, this vertical parking carousel can fit 42 cars – and offers EV charging for every one
• Stak in the News
• Unique ‘carousel’ parking lot accommodating electric vehicles in Strip District

Recap:

Charging cost: Monthly subscription
Charging type: Public
Problem addressed: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Technology

The post Stak Mobility develops an open-air vertical charging carousel in Pittsburgh 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

One challenge for owners and managers of multifamily housing properties in installing electric vehicle (EV) chargers is that the process can require many complex steps, from conducting feasibility assessments to obtaining permits and managing the installation. It can also be challenging to identify and apply for relevant incentives at the federal, state, and local levels. How can property managers find an easier way to install chargers and plan for the future?

Objectives and solutions

Ecology Action provides full-service support for charging installation at small businesses and multifamily housing with a focus on community engagement and continued outreach. Ecology Action’s unique standpoint as a non-profit organization committed to equitable climate solutions enables it to support communities before, during, and after EV charger installations. Through their EVs for Everyone project, the organization hosts ride-and-drive events and helps residents of the central California coast make the decision to go electric. To give residents more opportunities to charge at home or nearby, they offer full-service assistance for installing EV chargers, which is offered at a reduced cost or free for some property owners.

Ecology Action helps property owners find and secure relevant EV charging incentives and rebates. It also conducts a feasibility assessment and provides a customized project design. Then, it assigns an EV Charging Project Manager to assist with the entire installation process, including permitting and on-site management. 

In response to the needs and capacities of low- to middle-income resident communities, Ecology Action often recommends lower-power Level 1 or Level 2 chargers, which cost less and provide just the right amount of power for residents. They also provide training both for property owners installing chargers and for the community as a whole. The organization has received funding from the California Energy Commission and the local electric utility PG&E. Through this program, property owners install EV chargers for around half the cost of electric utility programs. Ecology Action’s focus on equity, community outreach, and cost savings makes this project impactful for EV drivers who live in multifamily housing.

Elements for Success

• The organization’s feasibility studies put no pressure on building owners to purchase specific chargers, so they can work to find charging solutions that work best for their buildings.
• Community outreach, specifically to low- and middle-income residents, is a key component of this program, which works to create a supportive environment for EV drivers and those looking to switch to electric. Ecology Action also offers bilingual assistance to reach even more community members.

References

• EV-Charging Installation & Rebates in California | Ecology Action
• EVs for Everyone

Recap:

Charger type: Level 1 and Level 2
Charging type: Public or Private
Problem addressed: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Community

The post Ecology Action provides EV charging incentives and Installation for small businesses and multifamily housing 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

While electric vehicles don’t emit carbon dioxide, the energy that powers them may come from non-renewable sources. Single-family homeowners can install solar panels and power EVs with 100% renewable energy, but most residents of multifamily housing don’t have this option. How can multifamily housing residents access public EV charging powered by renewable energy?

Objectives and solutions

Ava Community Energy is a community choice aggregator in California, a nonprofit community government agency. It builds–and buys from–clean power plants to provide electricity to Pacific Gas & Electric, an investor-owned utility company that delivers the electricity to customers. Ava Community Energy returns excess revenue to the communities it serves, including Alameda County and the City of Tracy. 

Ava Community Energy decided to build public EV chargers because a large percentage of greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation in their service territory. They also realized that access to fast and reliable charging is a critical barrier to EV adoption, especially for residents of multifamily housing. Their first 31 public charging stations are located at City Center West Garage in downtown Oakland, an area with lots of multifamily housing and businesses nearby. Drivers can see current charging prices on the PlugShare or EV Connect apps and pay for charging with a credit or debit card, mobile wallet, or through the EV Connect app. Parking fees are waived at the garage for the first hour of charging. Ava Community Energy is also collecting customer feedback surveys from their current charging location to better inform future charging projects. This solution allows multifamily housing residents to charge with renewable energy in a convenient and affordable way. 

Elements for Success

• DC fast charging is provided directly from the electric utility, which makes the installation process smoother and ensures the cost of charging is affordable.
• The public chargers are powered by renewable energy, giving all drivers more choices for how they charge.
• The 31 public chargers range from 100 to 280 kW, allowing drivers to charge quickly and minimize parking fees. 

References

• EV Fast Charging Network – Ava Community Energy
• What We Do | Ava Community Energy 

Recap:

Charger type: DC fast charging
Charging type: Public
Problem addressed: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Utility

The post Ava Community Energy expands charging access with public fast charging network powered by renewable energy 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

An increase in electric vehicle adoption in cities can come with a problem—where do those new EV drivers charge their vehicles? Infrastructure projects take time, and installing EV chargers in cities is no different. Long-term solutions can be implemented, but what do EV drivers do in the short term while they wait?

Objectives and solutions

In Cambridge, EV drivers struggling to find charging solutions were given a way to temporarily meet their charging needs. Residents can apply for a permit to get a mat that covers a cord they run across the sidewalk to charge their cars on the street.

If approved for a permit, they can also get a 9-foot-tall swing arm that extends above the sidewalk. The charging cable must be connected outside and can only use 120 volts. Furthermore, the cord can be out for 12 hours a day or less and has to be removed from the sidewalk when not in use. It is important to note that this is intended to be a stop-gap solution until long-term solutions are implemented and more public charging stations become available for Cambridge drivers. 

Elements for Success

• While long-term solutions require more delicate planning and time, short-term solutions like these simply need to give drivers the tools to charge. Cambridge’s plan matches a need with a rapidly deployable solution. This specific plan comes with some restrictions, but those restrictions are worth it for the convenience of being able to charge your EV whenever you need to. 
• This policy solution recognizes the urgent needs of residents without home charging and gives them an easy and convenient solution. 

References

• Cambridge, Massachusetts legalizes sidewalk electric vehicle charging
• City of Cambridge Announces Electric Vehicle Charging Pilot Program

Recap:

Charger type: Level 1 charging
Charging type: Private
Problem addressed: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Policy

The post City of Cambridge issues permits to run extension cords across sidewalks for EV charging 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

Installing EV chargers in multifamily properties can often require expensive electrical upgrades, especially when retrofitting existing buildings with limited panel capacity. How can technology support EV charging by capping additional load to save on costly infrastructure upgrades?  How can they scale their charging needs effectively?

Objectives and solutions

SWTCH Energy provides multiple solutions designed to accommodate EV charging in multifamily properties. Their product SWTCH Portal is a customized dashboard that gives building managers real-time information and control over rate structures, turn-key billing, loitering enforcement, and access control. This product makes charger operation simple for property managers, especially those with many chargers at one site. It is a tailored solution designed for the needs of each specific property. Another product that SWTCH offers is SWTCH Control, an advanced load manager that maximizes the number of chargers that can be installed while avoiding infrastructure costs resulting from increased demand. 

One example of advanced load management is at the Lofts at Beacon, located in Beacon, New York. When residents started to request EV charging as new units were being added to their property, the building installed 10 EV chargers that all existed on individual circuits. By using SWTCH Control, which provides continuous monitoring of chargers, the property could expand to up to 40 charging units with no need for electrical upgrades. With this much capacity, even people who don’t live in the Lofts can use the chargers.

With a convenient app and platform for both users and operators and 24/7 support available to its users, SWTCH Energy improves efficiency for property managers and residents to ensure EV charging can meet current and future demand.

Elements for Success

• SWTCH’s tailored and comprehensive portal allows building managers to observe and control their chargers in real time, making the operation more efficient and beneficial to their properties
• Load management software is a very scalable solution that allows buildings to expand their EV charger capacity while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

References

• Multifamily EV Charging
• The Lofts at Beacon Future-Proofed their Building & Business with a Scalable EV Charging System
• Multifamily Case Study: Condo adds 21 EV charging stations and avoids $24K in electrical upgrades

Recap:

Average charging cost: $0.39/kWh
Charging type: Public or Private
Problem addressed: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Technology

The post SWTCH Energy enhances EV charging access through charge management at multi-family properties appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Historically underserved communities, including Black, Brown, and rural communities, can face additional barriers to access to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Prospective EV drivers often cite the lack of access to charging as a primary concern. How can historically underserved communities access and benefit from EV charging?

Objectives and solutions

Through their creative Communities in Charge program, Dunamis Charge connects community organizations such as churches and nonprofits with public EV charging stations for free. The program works to bring charging access and affordability to economically disadvantaged communities while empowering community churches and organizations to operate as charging hosts. In partnership with DTE Energy, Communities in Charge deploys public Level 2 charging in locations where residents often lack access to charging and have less exposure to EVs. The chargers are available to area residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can serve as a source of revenue for churches and nonprofits. The chargers are situated in high-traffic areas for people to know they can charge when needed. 

DTE Energy offers rebates through Communities in Charge for charger costs, necessary infrastructure upgrades, and installation. The program now has about 40 sites (each with multiple charging ports, for a rough estimate of at least 80 chargers) online. The churches and nonprofits, mainly located in Detroit, MI, receive training and marketing materials through the program. Dunamis Charge also partnered with ChargerHelp to maintain the chargers.

Each site host determines the cost of each charging session for EV drivers. Some hosts charge drivers for each session, others provide free charging, and some discount the cost of charging for drivers who use their stations. What’s been key is the process of working in partnership with each community host to knowledge-share and understand what information they need. 

Elements for Success

• The utility partnership with DTE Energy enabled Communities in Charge through a $1.5 million investment that provides rebates to cover costs for the program’s community hosts within DTE’s service territory. This capital investment not only provides access to charging in communities but also raises awareness in the community about EV technology more broadly to further encourage EV adoption.
• Communities in Charge relies on diligent, comprehensive outreach led by messengers from within the community. Leaning on their team’s strong ties to the faith community, Dunamis Charge generated interest in the program by calling each church in the area. This demonstrates the need for considerate and comprehensive outreach from trusted sources.

References

• Home EV Charger Rebate | DTE Energy 
• The EV charging company that runs on faith – E&E News by POLITICO
• Dunamis Charge

Recap:

Average charging cost: $1.50 per hour
Charging type: Public
Problem addressed: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Community

The post Dunamis Charge connects underserved communities with free EV chargers at local churches and community organizations appeared first on Plug In America.