Implementation Phases

Initial web-only resource. Train municipal staff on EV outreach best practices and provide dedicated web resources on the City/Town website with EV information for both existing and prospective owners.

Organize and host in-person EV events. Coordinate with local events (farmer’s markets, festivals, public parks, corporate campuses, etc.) to provide information on EV benefits and offer test vehicles for interaction and ride-and-drive activities. Dealers, rental car companies, and EV sponsors can take an active role in event planning and activities. 

Challenges

Municipal staff may not be familiar with EV options and programs and may require initial training and guidance. 

Local/regional inventory may not be available for rapid adoption, so dealerships need to be engaged. 

Example Municipalities

Several municipalities have already implemented this action… 

• Mayors across the country are encouraging their residents to switch to EV’s, such as Los Angeles’ Eric Garcetti and Baltimore’s Stephanie Rawling-Blake who both declared ‘drive electric’ proclamations
• In Cincinnati, Ohio EV drivers are given free parking at any metered parking within the city
• GreenStep Cities is a public-private partnership  which aids Minnesota and midwestern cities in preparing for an EV centric city and will assist any municipality in the region

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reductions

Data

Total CO2e is reduced per year by switching from gas to electric cars by all the newly constructed houses with electric vehicle charging capability (EL4).

Methodology

Total CO2e is reduced per year by switching from gas to electric cars by all the existing multifamily houses with access to public electric vehicle charging (EL5).

This strategy is simple addition of EL4 and EL5 CO2 emission reductions.

Results

18,060 metric tons of CO2e is reduced per year by encouraging the use of electric vehicles.

Climate Smart Communities (CSC) & Clean Energy Communities (CEC) Link

This action is also related to CEC and CSC actions for which municipalities can earn points toward certification. Municipalities that develop and implement a formal public campaign can: 

CEC Actions:

• Earn 200 CEC points through CEC’s high impact action, Community Campaign for Electric Vehicles.

CSC Actions:

• Earn 3 points through CSC’s PE8 Action: Community Campaign for Electric Vehicles.

Co-benefits

There are multiple co-benefits to completing this action, including:

• Economic savings over vehicles’ useful life.
• Quieter streets.
• Improves air quality.
• Accelerated transition to electric vehicles