The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating, with forecasts predicting rapid adoption over the next decade. This shift brings immense potential to reduce emissions and increase access to sustainable transportation. But simply having more EVs on the road is not enough. We must also ensure that crucial EV charging infrastructure extends beyond city centers and into underserved areas. Though complex, achieving this goal is possible through thoughtful policies, strategic incentives and funding initiatives grounded in community partnerships.
The Multifamily Charging Challenge
Roughly 31% of US households live in multifamily housing like apartments, condos, and townhouses. Yet less than 5% of home EV charging happens in multifamily buildings. This poses a challenge as we transition to electric transportation. Multifamily residents face unique barriers to installing charging stations.
Many multifamily properties don’t have dedicated parking, limiting on-site charging options. Lower-income areas often become “charging deserts” with minimal public or private charging stations available nearby. Local permitting and parking policies can also restrict curbside charger installation. And even when public chargers exist, they may get used up quickly in dense multifamily areas.
Additionally, apartment building owners and managers have little incentive to install EV chargers which are costly and provide minimal revenue. Upgrading electrical systems is often needed too, further deterring charger investment. The onus falls on willing property owners or local governments to facilitate charging access. But this requires time, money, and initiative that is often lacking.
Funding programs and partnerships can improve access to EV charging
Financial incentives and structured funding programs are instrumental in spurring charger installation in traditionally underserved areas. The landmark National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program made billions in funding available to states earlier this year, with the goal of creating a national EV charging network. In fact, the Illinois Department of Transportation provided up to $50 million for the construction of 46 charging stations across the state this spring in its first round of Illinois National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program funding. The goal of the Illinois NEVI program is to accelerate EV adoption by providing reliable access to charging on Illinois interstates.
However, well-intentioned requirements sometimes hamper creative uses of these funds. For instance, NEVI requires all chargers to be available 24/7 to the general public. While access is important, this precludes installing chargers for equally valuable non-public purposes like overnight fleet vehicle charging. Municipal bus depots and airport hangars come to mind as missed opportunities. Creative grant policies that maintain reasonable public access while enabling some non-public charging capabilities can offer better use of these substantial federal funds. Program incentives can also be intentionally structured to encourage installing chargers in lower-income neighborhoods where market forces alone rarely suffice.
Creative Solutions to Expand Equitable EV Access
As electric vehicles become more mainstream, ensuring equal access to charging infrastructure is crucial, especially for multifamily housing residents. Installing chargers in apartments or condos faces barriers like high costs and electrical capacity limits.
But new, innovative strategies like universal EV payment cards allow low-income residents without credit cards to pay at public stations. Smart panels and outlets enable converting existing outlets to metered, shareable EV charging ports. Battery-enabled fast chargers provide quick charging without large infrastructure upgrades. Mobile stations bring charging to the user. And curbside innovations like chargers on streetlights and peer-to-peer charging reduce installation costs.
Shared mobility hubs with public transit, bike and scooter share, EV carshare, and charging stations also promote equitable access.
Bridging the divide for low-income communities
Charging deserts disproportionately impact lower-income residents who cannot afford newer EVs with longer ranges. The Biden Administration’s Justice40 initiative helps address this inequity by mandating 40% of certain federal sustainability spending flow to disadvantaged communities. States like Illinois have also launched “Just Transition” efforts focused in part on equitable charging infrastructure buildout. Such initiatives acknowledge that the shift to EVs, while extremely positive on the whole, still risks leaving marginalized groups behind.
Financial incentives and strategic funding alone cannot address all charging gaps in underserved neighborhoods. Sustained public-private partnerships and community engagement are equally vital. For example, urban transit agencies must work closely with disadvantaged residents to site electric bus chargers and routes in ways that maximize local air quality benefits. Community stakeholders can help planners understand charging gaps that may hinder residents from purchasing EVs. Charging stations that go unused due to poor siting are wasted investments. Continued collaborations between municipalities, utilities, employers, community leaders and others will ensure EV infrastructure maps to current mobility needs while filling in charging deserts.
The transition to EVs and community EV charging involves complex coordination between diverse stakeholders. But maintaining an unwavering focus on equitable access as new infrastructure is planned and funded is absolutely key. Only by working hand-in-hand with communities themselves can we build a convenient, efficient charging network that leaves no one stranded. By bridging charging divides today, we can achieve this goal and realize the full promise of electrified mobility for all.
Elbert Waters III is the executive director of Powering Chicago.