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

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

Getting EV charging in cities can be extra challenging because they’re expensive, and many drivers who would use them most don’t yet have EVs (likely because they don’t have access to charging). This catch–22 makes it difficult to find public charging in cities. For rideshare drivers, who are high-mileage drivers, this lack of access can make driving an EV for rides impossible. How can urban drivers, especially rideshare drivers, be supported in their charging needs?

Objectives and solutions

Enter Revel. Revel is an EV charging company that started installing public charging to provide access to charging in dense urban areas that don’t have ample public charging and where drivers don’t have access to charging at home. Revel has taken a novel approach to funding their charging projects: building an all-electric rideshare platform. 

Many rideshare drivers operate in cities where charging infrastructure is sparse, and the lack of charging stations close to popular pickup and drop-off locations can lead to long wait times, inefficient routes, and unnecessary downtime. For drivers who rely on EVs, this barrier makes it difficult to maintain an effective, profitable work schedule.

Revel’s concept to leverage its rideshare platform to deploy public EV charging is the first of its kind in the US. These charging stations are designed to serve electric vehicles used in ridesharing, ensuring that drivers can quickly and efficiently recharge their EVs during breaks without disrupting their schedules. The chargers are open to the public 24/7. Revel’s charging stations are equipped with DC fast chargers rated at 150kW and 320kW, depending on the site. Revel chargers have both NACS and CCS connector types to ensure all drivers can charge their vehicles. 

Revel’s fleet of electric vehicles for rideshare services is available to provide an accessible option for drivers. Revel partners with platforms like Uber to provide discounts on EV charging and enable drivers to utilize the Revel charging network as part of their daily routines, further incentivizing EV adoption among those in the rideshare industry. 

Revel is currently the largest provider of public EV charging in New York City. Building on their momentum, Revel has secured a $60 million loan from the state of New York to triple their public EV charging capacity in NYC.

Elements for Success

• Revel’s decision to build an all-electric rideshare platform and ability to partner with popular rideshare services like Uber ensures that drivers can easily incorporate the use of Revel’s vehicles and charging infrastructure into their workday.
• This integration provides drivers with a hassle-free solution that makes it easier to adopt electric vehicles.

References

• Revel 
• NYC’s fastest EV charging company, Revel, opens its first West Coast station 
• Revel and PANYNJ Open New EV Charging Station at JFK
• New York loans Revel $60M to expand NYC public EV charging

Recap:

Average charging cost: $0.54/kWh
Charging type: Public
Problem addressed: Access
Solution type: Technology

The post Revel is powering cities with public EV charging and all-electric rideshares 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

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

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

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

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

While public EV chargers are often theoretically accessible to everyone, they can be located in parking garages that require EV drivers to pay entrance fees. So, how can a city ensure that everyone can fairly access EV chargers without access to a home charger?

Objectives and solutions

“Recharge Boston: Boston’s Zero Emission Vehicle Program” is an initiative in the capital of Massachusetts designed to ensure that every household in the city is within a 10-minute walk of a publicly available EV charging station. To ensure this can happen, the city is installing 250 curbside EV chargers across the city over a 2-year period. 

it’s electric and Greenspot are two private-sector companies that are installing public EV chargers in Boston to provide curbside charging at no cost to the city. it’s electric will install Level 2 charging posts, which get power from nearby private buildings. Buildings are compensated for energy usage, and property managers and owners can sign up to become property partners. EV drivers will then be able to sign up for it’s electric and receive a portable EV charging cord which can be used to charge at any of  it’s electric’s chargers in Boston. 

Greenspot will also install curbside chargers and manage its charging network free of charge for the city of Boston. It will charge drivers for electricity to generate revenue to offset the cost of installing, owning, and operating the chargers.  The average charging cost for drivers is expected to be about $0.35/kWh, and drivers can pay for the charge via a mobile application or using their credit/debit cards. 

The city of Boston keeps a publicly available map of the chargers currently available to residents, and chargers that are coming online soon, to keep residents informed and updated.

Elements for Success

• The use of surplus power from private buildings reduces the need for utility upgrades and ensures the project is replicable and scalable.
• The solution’s model ensure the plan comes at no cost to the city itself and even incentivizes property managers and owners to make extra income by providing a home base for electricity.

References

• • Boston is going big on installing curbside EV chargers
  • Curbside EV Charging
  • Recharge Boston: Boston’s Zero Emission Vehicle Program
  • Boston installing curbside EV chargers in neighborhoods, property owners make profit

Recap:

Charging cost: $0.35/kWh
Charging type: Public
Problem addressed: Access
Solution type: Policy

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