Charging ahead: EV access expands in the South
Electric vehicles are a key part of the strategy to tackle transportation tailpipe pollution—the largest source of climate pollution nationwide and in the South. While there has been a big bump in funding to advance EVs, thanks in large part to recent federal climate legislation, we need stronger policies from decision makers. One of the most pressing areas to get more people excited about EVs is the need to expand the charging network.
A robust and reliable public charging network is essential to make EVs an option for every driver and every trip.
Garrett Gee, senior attorney
So where are the opportunities right now?
Garrett Gee is a senior attorney leading transportation electrification work at SELC and sees abundant opportunities for advancing EV charging.
“We’re making progress toward a more robust and accessible EV charging network,” Gee said, adding that more EV models are on the market now than ever. “But we still have work to do to make the driving experience even better. More and better charges play a big part in drivers peace of mind when they hit the road.”
EV charging ports in Virginia
More chargers coming
“EV charging is a perceived barrier today, but the network is improving rapidly,” Gee said. “Surveys of people considering purchasing an EV show that many drivers are concerned about access to charging and range anxiety – the fear of running out of power before reaching your destination. A robust and reliable public charging network is essential to make EVs an option for every driver and every trip.”
The good news is more chargers are coming online every day. According to Bloomberg, if EV chargers continue to be installed at the current pace, there will be more public fast charging sites than gas stations within eight years. Charging options continue to improve at the same time as technology matures and consumers demand a faster and more seamless charging experience.
The public sector is also stepping up to fund charging infrastructure.
The federal government has provided billions of dollars for charging to help fill the gaps where the private sector is less willing to invest today. The National EV Infrastructure Program, or NEVI, will ensure that there is a fast-charging site at least every 50 miles on interstates and along other major highways. These NEVI-funded chargers are beginning to open now, with many more in the pipeline over the coming years.
Here’s a good example in our region. Virginia adopted Clean Car standards in 2021 that require manufacturers to deliver more EVs to the state. Since then, EV sales have been rising, as have the number of chargers, and today Virginia has almost 4,500 fast charging plugs, known as ports, at over 1,500 individual station locations. Now Virginia has more fast charging plugs per person than the national average, and more than every other state in the South.
New EV charging stations are popping up across the rest of the South as well. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of fast charging plugs increased by more than 25% in every Southeastern state – and by as much as 80% in Tennessee. At the current pace, Georgia and North Carolina could soon pass the national average. While things are improving, it is clear that more must be done to reduce pollution from cars during this critical period.
Funding will push us forward
Trip Pollard leads SELC’s transportation efforts across the region and has worked on much of the foundational transportation policy in Virginia. He reiterates that while chargers and EVs are becoming more available, additional funding is still needed to build out the charging network.
“While there is greater funding to expand the EV charging network now, these funds need to be increased and distributed quickly, efficiently, and equitably,” he said. “Decision makers, agencies, and organizations like ours, have to work to ensure that rural areas, communities of color, and other communities that have traditionally struggled with access to transportation, are included in decisions being made about the placement of chargers, as well as general access to cleaner, electrified transportation.”
Additional funding for Virginia
If you want to see more charging in your community, the first step is to let your leaders know.
Currently Virginia Clean Cities, in partnership with the state government, is preparing a major grant application to help bring more chargers to the state through the federal Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program. This opportunity is open to localities across the Commonwealth. The grant application is due on August 28, and Clean Cities is still looking for interested Virginia localities that want to apply to fund charging in their communities. Interested communities should reach out today.
More dedicated state funding for charging is needed to complement federal funding. To that end, SELC will continue to push for a dedicated charging program for rural and underserved areas in the Virginia General Assembly.