Introduction – Priority Areas
Our project Priority Areas were developed around known barriers to EV adoption. In the DEUSA 1 and 2 projects, each state is tackling roughly 8-10 different specific subtasks of work towards breaking down those barriers in their states. See below for the major description of the work being completed in each state, and then see the other menu options in this set to read more about what each state is doing within that Priority Area.
1) Statewide Branded EV Programs
Each state will create a strong, statewide, branded EV program, guided by a committee of EV stakeholders and encompassing locally based chapters. These programs will attract support and resources, coordinate action across all other Priority Areas, and increase positive exposure.
5) Education of State and Local Government Officials
Educate government officials in all 14 Partnership states. At the state level, focus on best practices for incentive programs for vehicles and infrastructure, state building codes, weights and measures issues for public EVSE, among others. At the local level, focus on guidance for charging in public rights of way, signage and parking enforcement, local building codes, and government fleet electrification.
2) Consumer Education
Every state program/initiative will directly educate at least 1,000 consumers through the organizing of and/or participation in in-person EV Ride-and-Drives (R&Ds) and other tactics. They will also develop and support local EV chapters (at least two per state) to coordinate R&Ds based on a variety of outreach and event models, and gather and analyze participant experience and educational impacts.
6) Dealer Engagement
Develop “preferred” EV dealer programs in 14 states, then secure forty or more preferred dealers total, with at least two per state. Build web-based platforms to help channel interested EV purchasers to preferred dealers. Partner with “low touch” Internet- based retailers that sell EVs, especially in portions of states still underserved by supportive dealers.
3) Utility and Regulator Education
Program teams will educate and partner with investor-owned, municipal, and cooperative utilities, and state utility regulators. They will base their educational pathway on evolving best practices for utility EV programs and their unique partnerships and challenges, and relay the benefits of transportation electrification for all stakeholders to all stakeholders. Initiative leadership will conduct seminars, forums, R&Ds, and other convenings towards achieving collaborative results.
7) Fleet Engagement and EV Adoption
Meet with personnel from 560 fleets across all Partnership states, then drive EV adoption in an average of at least 10 fleets per state.
4) EV Charging Infrastructure and Planning
Conduct gap analyses and develop or update plans for EV charging infrastructure in each of the 14 Partnership states at statewide, regional and community levels. Use analyses to educate a wide range of stakeholders and plan deployment of EVSE at all levels and site types in each state.
