IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Coalition Forms to Push for Charging Stations Nationwide
WASHINGTON (August 11, 2021) – An unprecedented coalition of groups representing automakers, workers, utilities, suppliers, investors, and public interest advocates formed a new partnership to spur the construction of the nation’s electric-vehicle charging network.
The National EV Charging Initiative – made up of 24 groups representing tens of thousands of companies, union members, investors and advocates – agreed to push for deeper commitments from each other and the federal government to deploy the charging stations needed to improve air quality, create domestic jobs, address racial inequities and curb climate change.
“These groups are ready, willing, and able to work together to build the national charging network needed to meet the Biden administration’s goal of transforming our transportation system,” said Colleen Quinn, president of eMobility Advisors and the coalition’s organizer. “Investing in this system will contribute to a just transition that creates good jobs, addresses the climate crisis, and cuts air pollution.”
In a joint memorandum of understanding, participants pledged to collaborate with all levels of government to build a national charging network for cars and light trucks, as well as heavy-duty vehicles.
While many participants pledge to make their own, private investments in this network, the group will also advocate for funding and other support from the public sector.
“Only with the private investments complementing the public support will we realize our goals,” said Nancy Ryan, a partner at eMobility Advisors and the group’s other organizer. “Neither one can do it alone, but together we can create the future we want and need.”
The diverse group of stakeholders will develop a common framework to marshal public and private resources to quicken the pace of electric vehicle adoption in the U.S. and increase the speed, scope and scale of infrastructure deployment.
Members of the coalition include:
Advanced Energy Economy (AEE)
Alliance for Transportation Electrification (ATE)
Alliance for Automotive Innovation
California Electric Transportation Coalition (CalETC)
CALSTART
Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE)
Ceres
ChargeUp Midwest
ChargEVC
Clean Fuels Michigan
Climate Group
Coalition for Green Capital (CGC)
Commissioner Maria Bocanegra (Illinois Commerce Commissioner and Chair of NARUC’s Electric Vehicles Working Group)
Drive Clean Colorado
Edison Electric Institute (EEI)
Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA)
Electric Vehicle Charging Association (EVCA)
Electrification Coalition
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
EVHybridNoire
Forth
Greenlining Institute
GreenLatinos
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO)
National Urban League
Neighborhood FORWARD
Plug In America
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)
Sierra Club
Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA)
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE)
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP)
Veloz
Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA)
Hear from our members:
Advanced Energy Economy
Ryan Gallentine, Policy Director, Electrifying Transportation
“AEE is pleased to offer its efforts toward the National EV Charging Initiative. The electric vehicle industry already employs people across all 50 states, and a thoughtful and robust rollout of charging infrastructure is a wise investment in a growth area for the U.S. economy as well as in the health and well-being of its citizens. To fully electrify passenger vehicles as well as corporate and government fleets, we will need this kind of cross-sector collaboration. The opportunity to act is now.”
Alliance for Automotive Innovation
John Bozzella, President and CEO
“The auto industry is committed to vehicle electrification and will invest $330 billion in the technology by 2025. Even so, consumers will not buy vehicles they cannot conveniently supply with power. Thus, for the transition to an electrified fleet to be successful, there must be abundant access to charging for all communities, and growing today’s network of EV charging infrastructure will require all stakeholders working together. The National EV Charging Initiative aims to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, which is critical to build out the necessary EV charging infrastructure. Through collaboration across various sectors, both public and private, we can ensure that the transition to EVs benefits all communities, supports American workers, and enhances U.S. competitiveness and economic security.”
Alliance for Transportation Electrification
Philip B. Jones, Executive Director
“I am pleased to offer the Alliance (ATE) as a signatory to this important national initiative to accelerate the deployment of EV charging infrastructure. As a multi-sector trade association, our Alliance has focused on State-level activities, especially the Public Utility Commissions and state energy offices, for the past three years. We are active in over 20 states today. We have enjoyed many successes but still face ongoing challenges and barriers that need to be overcome.”
“I believe that greater harmony between the federal, state, and local governments is essential to build out the EV charging system to meet increased demands of electric customers and EV owners in the 21st century. The favorable winds from our federal partners, led by the Biden Administration and key agencies like U.S. DOE, U.S. DOT and EPA, to EVs and clean transportation systems, are long overdue and most welcome. This National Infrastructure Initiative should help facilitate this critical dialogue between all levels of Government, as well as private EV service providers, electric utilities, organized labor, NGOs and transportation planners. We need to come together in a constructive spirit that avoids litigation and contention, but instead builds on the American strengths of innovation and collaboration.”
CalETC
Eileen Tutt, Executive Director
“Transportation electrification is essential to protecting public health and combating climate change while also supporting state and regional efforts to modernize the electricity grid, providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity for all, whether or not they drive an electric car or truck.”
Center for Sustainable Energy
Lawrence Goldenhersh, President
“To support widespread EV adoption, we need more charging infrastructure. Publicly available charging increases drivers’ comfort with EVs, enables longer distance travel, and provides options for people without access to charging at home or work. Through CSE’s Caret™ climate tech platform, we are using software-enabled, data-driven analysis to get more chargers in the ground and put them where they need to be.”
Ceres
Sara Forni, Senior Manager of Clean Vehicles
“There is no time to waste — the transportation sector needs to decarbonize as quickly as possible, and the National EV Charging Initiative will be an important partner in accelerating that transition,” said Sara Forni, senior manager of clean vehicles at Ceres. “The company members of our Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance, who collectively own or operate more than one million vehicles, are united in our mission to speed the transition to a zero-emission vehicles in order to reduce costs and price volatility for businesses and consumers, create jobs, reduce pollution, and help mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis. Collective action in support of robust, strategically-sited, and cost-effective charging infrastructure will be essential if we want to decarbonize the transportation sector at the scale and speed necessary, and we look forward to working with the National EV Charging Initiative on this critical work.”
ChargEVC
Pam Frank, CEO
“ChargEVC pledges to work with an unprecedented coalition of groups in these unprecedented times to quickly build out 21st century charging infrastructure. We applaud the Biden Administration’s leadership. That leadership will compel and inspire us forward with a big and urgent task that will take all of us working together to complete.”
Clean Fuels Michigan
Jane McCurry, Executive Director
“We are in the middle of a pivotal moment for electric transportation. Smart and bold investments in electric vehicle charging infrastructure will pave the way for good-paying American jobs, thriving local economies, and clean air for everyone. In order to meet the moment, strong coalitions like the National EV Charging Initiative are critical, and so Clean Fuels Michigan is thrilled to participate.”
Climate Group
Louisa Plotnick, Head of Programs, North America
“Transportation electrification is critical to halve emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050. The Climate Group is excited to join the National EV Charging Initiative. Through our work with EV100 and the Under 2 Coalition, we understand the need for a robust, reliable, and easy-to-use charging network. Now is the time to ensure we continue to build momentum in the US and work to develop an EV charging network that truly serves the needs of all communities.”
Coalition for Green Capital (CGC)
Jill Bunting, Deputy Director
“A strong national electric vehicle charging network is a critical component in supporting our investments in electric vehicles as well as our nation’s transition to clean energy,” said Jill Bunting, Deputy Director of the Coalition for Green Capital. “Investment in this network will not only support our climate goals but will also create good jobs, address racial inequities by expanding access to electric vehicles and strengthen public/private partnerships. We’re proud to stand with our partners today in launching the National EV Charging Initiative and look forward to supporting the coalition’s work.”
Commissioner Maria S. Bocanegra
Illinois Commerce Commissioner and Chair of NARUC’s Electric Vehicles Working Group
“This important Initiative underscores the need for collaboration and coordination in electrifying the transportation sector. I am honored to be a member of the Advisory Council and look forward to exploring ways to provide education and outreach to regulatory agencies throughout the Nation.”
Drive Clean Colorado
Bonnie Trowbridge, Executive Director
“We’re excited to be part of the EV Charging Initiative. This critical alliance will move the needle on charging infrastructure on a national scale, which will facilitate Drive Clean Colorado's initiatives to expand charging infrastructure in Colorado for our stakeholders and citizens and allow us to meet EV goals and ultimately improve air quality in our state.”
Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA)
Genevieve Cullen, President
“To achieve net-zero emissions and lead the world in electric drive technology, the United States urgently needs a comprehensive and diverse network of electric charging and fueling stations to serve interstate, regional and local transportation needs. The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with 23 other organizations to create the National EV Charging Initiative, pledging to collaborate with government partners and stakeholders, to speed the build-out of the essential infrastructure for an electric drive fleet.”
Electrification Coalition
Ben Prochazka, Executive Director
“We are excited to work with this unique group of stakeholders as we move our nation into a leadership position on transportation electrification,” said Ben Prochazka, Executive Director of the Electrification Coalition. “We are at a critical policy intersection, and we have the chance to reduce transportation’s continued dependence on oil, fortify U.S. economic and national security, reduce emissions and protect public health.”
Electric Vehicle Charging Association (EVCA)
Dylan Jaff, Government Affairs
"The Electric Vehicle Charging Association was founded to advance the goal of a clean transportation system in which the market forces of innovation, competition, and consumer choice drive the expeditious and efficient adoption of EVs and deployment of EV infrastructure. We are proud to work with this diverse coalition of over 23 stakeholders advocating for a national charging network for the benefit of all. Together, we can electrify our future."
GreenLatinos
Andrea Marpillero-Colomina, Clean Transportation Consultant
“GreenLatinos is honored to take part in the National EV Charging Initiative, which creates an invaluable forum for productive cross-sectoral collaboration to spur the construction of the nation's EV charging network. There is no time to waste in advocating for and implementing innovative partnerships and infrastructural solutions that will enable our communities to breathe cleaner air, work cleaner jobs, curb inequity, and green the planet. We are looking forward to joining hands and fighting alongside allies and new friends to reach this urgent goal.”
National Urban League
Donald R. Cravins, Jr., Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
“It's clear the speedy deployment of Electric Vehicles (EV), particularly mass transit and commercial EVs, can provide important environmental benefits. It is important to prioritize EV access in underserved communities because such areas can benefit the most from the clean air and cost-saving benefits of EVs. The National Urban League is pleased to join the National EV Charging Initiative to promote the building of a national charging network and ready to work with to ensure the benefits of electric vehicle transportation are brought to all communities.”
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
Max Baumhefner, Senior Attorney, Climate & Clean Energy Program
“We will have the plugs we need to electrify our vehicles. Private companies have already installed more than 100,000 public charging stations in the U.S. and investor-owned utilities are investing $3 billion to help deploy charging infrastructure for cars, trucks, and buses,” said Max Baumhefner, a senior attorney at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “With new federal investments and breakthroughs in battery technology, range anxiety should soon go the way of the horse-drawn carriage.”
“After all, the electric grid is ubiquitous. We just need to extend it at the fringes. There’s enough spare capacity in the grid to charge all the passenger cars and trucks in America without building a single new power plant.”
Neighborhood FORWARD
Mike Brown, Executive Director
“As we look to the future, building sustainable and equitable communities is key. Neighborhood FORWARD is committed to environmental justice and wants to ensure that communities of color are involved in the ongoing effort to construct an EV charging network. We are supportive of the National EV Charging Initiative and are excited to see the group’s concepts become a reality.”
Plug In America
Joel Levin, Executive Director
“Plug In America is proud to be a signatory to the National EV Charging Initiative MOU. Improving the consumer experience by ensuring accessible, interoperable, and consumer-friendly charging stations for all Americans through this group’s efforts is an important complement to the historic federal funding and state efforts to advance EVs that are taking place at this time.”
Sierra Club
Michael Brune, Executive Director
“The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change rings the climate crisis bell once again: The damage driven by burning fossil fuels will only worsen unless we rapidly slash climate-disrupting emissions. Building a robust national charging network is the key to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles and transitioning to clean energy. Sierra Club is pleased to join the National EV Charging Initiative and committed to growing the network to charge pollution-free cars, trucks and buses at the pace required to meet our air quality and climate goals.”
Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA)
Garrett Fitzgerald, Senior Director of Electrification
“Collaboration at the national, regional, and local level - across the private and public sector- is critical to the successful buildout of a national EV charging network. The National EV Charging Initiative is an important first step in bringing together the diverse stakeholder ecosystem that will be required to meet the moment and maximize the impact of upcoming federal action. SEPA is proud to join the initiative and do our part to support a robust EV charging ecosystem.”
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
Travis Madsen, Transportation Program Director, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
“Accelerating transportation electrification is one of the most impactful actions we can take to use energy more efficiently and reduce pollution across the United States. The EV Charging Initiative brings together the right partners at the right time to capitalize on this opportunity.”
Veloz
Josh D. Boone, Executive Director
“Charging infrastructure is the top barrier to electric vehicle adoption. Now is the time to shoot for the stars and develop a national charging network that provides EV drivers a positive experience. Veloz’s public and private sector members are at the forefront of developing cutting-edge solutions so that electric for all becomes a reality faster.”
Zero Emissions Transportation Association
Joe Britton, the Executive Director
“Broad EV adoption is predicated on a massive buildout of EV charging infrastructure, which will also serve to create new jobs,” said Joe Britton, the Executive Director of ZETA. “To ensure that we can achieve ZETA’s policy priority of reaching 100% EV sales by 2030, we must build a robust national EV charging network.”
“The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which passed the Senate by a 69-30 margin and will now be considered by the House of Representatives, includes $7.5 billion for EV charging infrastructure, which is a good start. As ZETA noted in an interview with Bloomberg News, however, at least $20–30 billion will be needed in the next ten years to develop a sufficient national charging network.”
“In addition to allowing for higher EV adoption rates, developing a vast EV charging network will generate thousands of good-paying domestic jobs. The IEA found that EV charging infrastructure creates more jobs than investing in highways or in traditional car manufacturing, supporting over 12 jobs per million dollars of investment. These jobs will span the manufacturing and electrical installation sectors.”
“Deploying a national EV charging network is a win-win,” said Britton. “We will create jobs and boost domestic manufacturing, stimulating local economies across the country. We will also facilitate the EV transition, which will boost public health, cut emissions, and generate cost-savings for everyday Americans.”
MEDIA CONTACT
Amelia Gilchrist, amelia@evcharginginitiative.com, 336-549-7313