Transportation electrification plans provide a framework and roadmap for community-wide EV adoption. Effective plans incorporate different elements from each of the categories below – and more – and support long-term community engagement, fleet procurement, finance, and technology decision-making. 

 

Transportation electrification plans articulate priorities, align strategies, and build capacity, all of which can be leveraged to pursue federal and state grants and rebates to support the shift to EVs. State and federal transportation electrification grants are often very competitive and having a strategic plan in place strengthens your proposal. 

 

The planning process itself can help build your city’s electrification capacity. Transitioning city fleet vehicles and supporting the broader community-wide shift to EVs requires coordination across a multitude of departments. It is good to create a team composed of leaders from all the departments that will impact and be impacted by transportation electrification. This team will be positioned to identify opportunities and challenges, and by working together on the planning will foster internal support. Some departments to consider including from the beginning (no order of importance, not comprehensive):

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Sustainability: Big picture thinkers, responsible for advancing sustainability and climate goals, connected to a network of thought and implementation leaders 

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Transportation, Motor Pool, and Parking: Leads planning for and manages vehicles and vehicle parking, engages across departments and with the community, has access to telematics, transportation flows, and other important data

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Information Technology: Understands value and use of ‘big data,' responsible for digital security, well-positioned to interact with charging station network providers

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Development Services: Leads long-term planning for and manages physical spaces, oversees permitting and inspections, understands the interface between vehicles and the built environment

 

Transit: Works to reduce vehicle miles traveled and enhance mobility options for all, coordination will ensure converting to electric buses is explored and broad transportation electrification goals support and address mass transit goals and challenges  

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Budget and Finance: Oversees fiscal integrity and long term financial planning, influence procurement policy, often provide creative ways to evaluate costs and benefits of new technology 

 

Economic Development: Works with the community, businesses, and institutions to build shared prosperity, opens valuable public-private partnership opportunities, connects to workforce development 

 

Communications: Responsible for internal education and external communication and marketing, positioned to increase knowledge and awareness about the value of transportation electrification

 

Additionally, it is critical to engage your electric utility at the beginning of the planning process to understand and potentially integrate with the local utility’s transportation electrification plan. Hopefully, your local utility already has a plan, and forming a partnership could inform and support each other’s implementation success.