Community and Fleet Readiness

As researchers work to lower the costs and increase the convenience of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), it's also necessary to make similar strides on the local level. State and local incentives, such as tax credits or access to HOV lanes, can encourage consumers and vehicle fleets to purchase PEVs. In contrast, difficult permitting procedures for chargers or a lack of signage can discourage adoption.

To help communities prepare themselves for plug-in and other alternative fuel vehicles, the Office works with nearly 100 Clean Cities coalitions across the country. Clean Cities offers a wide variety of resources to cities and regions that want to encourage citizens and businesses to drive PEVs. They also offer resources to both public and private fleets that wish to adopt these vehicles.

• Through 16 electric vehicle community readiness awards, regions across the country are working to create readiness and implementation plans.
• PEV case studies can help city planners and fleet managers learn from leaders in PEV deployment.
• Videos on Clean Cities' YouTube channel provide great examples for fleets.
• The Plug-In Electric Vehicle Handbook for Fleet Managers offers an overview of the issues fleet managers need to consider before purchasing electric vehicles.
• The Electric Vehicle Quarterly Discussion Webinars offer speakers on a variety of community readiness topics, including signage, placing charging stations, codes and standards, and deployment lessons learned.
• At the Plug-In Vehicle and Infrastructure Community Readiness Workshop, local policymakers and industry stakeholders discussed key barriers to preparedness and discussed the best ways for communities to overcome them.