Abstract:

This original research analyzes the actions that are impacting electric vehicle deployment across major U.S. metropolitan areas. The 25 most-populous U.S. metropolitan areas analyzed in this paper represent more than 42% of the population, 46% of auto sales, 67% of new electric vehicle registrations, and 53% of the public electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the U.S. as of 2014. This research comprehensively catalogues the state, local, infrastructure, and utility actions that are spurring electric vehicle deployment and includes city-specific analysis of policy benefits to prospective electric vehicle consumers across the 25 urban areas. This analysis also seeks to discern the link between the promotion actions and the uptake of electric vehicles. In essence, the study is designed to catalogue all actions that are affecting prospective electric vehicle consumers, in particular city-specific actions, and how such actions may be differentially impacting electric vehicle deployment across U.S. cities. The assessment involves the compilation and description of the electric vehicle promotion actions in each city, an estimation of the per-vehicle consumer benefit from existing policies in each city, and a statistical analysis of whether various electric vehicle support actions are linked to increased electric vehicle sales. The scope of the work covers the 25 most populous U.S. cities. Based on the findings, the authors draw four conclusions i.e. Based on the findings, the authors draw below give conclusions: (1) Policy is driving accelerated electric vehicle deployment in several cities, (2) Cities are leading on electric vehicles in diverse ways, (3) Best practices for driving electric vehicles into the fleet are beginning to emerge. (4) Cities are an important focal point for collaboration among governments, the auto industry, utilities, and advocacy.