But there is more work to do.
That is why the Obama Administration has announced that it is taking steps to accelerate the utilization of electric vehicles and the charging infrastructure needed to support them.
A continued partnership between the Administration, states, localities and the private sector aims to achieve these shared goals:
- The United State Department of Transportation (DOT) is establishing 48 national electric vehicle charging corridors on U.S. highways, these newly designated electric vehicle routes cover nearly 25,000 miles in 35 states.
- 28 states, utilities, vehicle manufactures and change organizations are committing to accelerate the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure on the DOT’s corridors.
- 24 state and local governments are committing to partner with the Administration and increase the procurement of electric vehicles in their fleets.
- The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is conducting two studies to evaluate the optimal national electric vehicle charging deployment scenarios, including along DOT’s designated fueling corridors.
- 38 new businesses, non-profits, universities and utilities are signing on to DOE’s Workplace Charging Challenge and committing to provide EV charging access for their workforce.
To make it easier for drivers to identify and locate charging stations, states designated as “sign-ready” are authorized to use signs developed by FHWA that identify electric vehicle charging stations and other alternative fuels along the highways similar to existing signage that alerts drivers to gas stations, food and lodging. Drivers can expect either existing or planned charging stations within every 50 miles, according to the White House.
For more electric vehicle news, find out how current electric vehicles could replace 90 percent of vehicles on the road today.