U.S. Department of Transportation publishes resource to help cities take advantage of charging infrastructure funding

As vehicle manufactures rapidly shift toward electric vehicles, a tipping point is fast approaching—cities and counties need to be ready to take advantage of the funding opportunities for charging infrastructure available to them.

A new technical resource from the U.S. Department of Transportation, published in collaboration with the Department of Energy and the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, aims to help large communities capitalize on federal funding.

“Right now, there is incredible energy and momentum in communities across this country to transform and electrify our transportation system to ensure that every American has access to convenient, affordable, and reliable mobility options,” said Gabe Klein, executive director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation in a statement from the joint office about the resource. “The Urban EV Toolkit is the recipe for a multimodal, connected, clean transportation system in our cities and towns to complement the newly updated Rural EV Toolkit. Whether you choose to ride, drive, or walk in your community, the benefits of electrified transportation are baked in.”

The guide, titled Charging Forward: A Toolkit for Planning and funding Urban Electric Mobility Infrastructure, includes information about how to scope, plan, and identify ways to leverage billions of dollars in funding from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The resource is designed for community governments, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), transportation providers, businesses, and property owners and developers.

It builds on federal education efforts to provide communities “with information and assistance to accelerate an electrified transportation system that is convenient, affordable, reliable, and equitable. The toolkit includes guidance to help urban areas implement other forms of electric transportation, such as public transit, electric bikes and scooters, and ride-share services,” the statement continues.

In the push toward electrification and net-zero carbon emissions, local and county governments have an important role to play. Capitalizing on grants to take advantage of federal funding for charging infrastructure is a big part advancing the prevalence of electric vehicles. The statement notes that more than 70% of Americans live in communities with a population of more than 50,000 people.

“While many EV owners can charge their vehicles at home or work, people who live in higher density areas, especially those living in apartments and condos, may not have easy access to a garage or the space for a private charger, which means they are more reliant on public charging options,” the statement notes.

For more information and to view the toolkit, visit the Department of Transportation’s website.