ARC is committed to ensuring that our region is a national leader in transportation system electrification. The electric vehicle (EV) market is dynamic, multi-dimensional and rapidly evolving, forcing metropolitan transportation planning agencies to assume new and exciting roles. Fortunately, the Atlanta region is well-positioned to address the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities ahead of us through the blueprint defined in the Regional Transportation Electrification Plan.
In January 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded a federal Charging & Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) program grant of $6.1 million to ARC. These funds will be leveraged with private sector investments to expand the number of EV charging stations at everyday destinations throughout the region. The application was developed on behalf of our 19 counties and 100+ incorporated municipalities to support our collective efforts to prepare for a future where electric vehicles eventually replace most internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicles on the road today.
ARC recognizes that this grant will not address every need presented by the clean energy vehicle market. Over the next several years, an “all of the above” approach will be required to make clean fuel infrastructure as ubiquitous as gas stations are today. The electric vehicle market will reach its full potential only when consumers feel comfortable that charging up their battery is as simple as filling the gas tank of an ICE vehicle and/or offers a significant cost savings. Several of our local, county and state government agencies are using their own resources and/or pursuing other grants to provide additional EV charging infrastructure that this regional grant won’t be able to address.
*** USDOT is currently conducting a review of the CFI program’s consistency with recent executive orders and other policy directives. No timeline for completion of the review has been provided. Changes to the project’s scope, schedule and budget may be required by USDOT depending on the outcomes of that process. The information on this site will be updated as additional information becomes available. ***
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Most of the typical person’s driving mileage is logged within a relatively small geography concentrated around the community where they live, work, shop and recreate. Since there are significant periods of time when the car is idle and not in active use, the CFI project’s goal is to provide additional opportunities to receive incremental amounts of charge throughout the day as people go about their daily activities. When a vehicle is parked for an hour or two at various destinations over the course of a day, Level 2 charging is a sensible and cost-effective option.
While an hour is not enough time for a Level 2 station to fully charge a vehicle’s battery, it can provide a boost that may delay the need for a visit to a fast-charge site for a day or two. We don’t always drive our ICE vehicles with a full tank of gas because gas stations are so widely available. In the same way, as publicly accessible Level 2 charging stations become commonplace, drivers won’t feel as much range anxiety because an extra 10% or 20% of battery life might be more than enough until they can “fill up” later.
ARC will work with a private sector partner to install Level 2 chargers at 75 to 100 locations around the region, with each location featuring a minimum of four charging ports. Emphasis will be given to placing chargers in disadvantaged communities which may otherwise be overlooked by the free market. Charges will be located in the parking lots of everyday destinations such as shopping centers, grocery stores, pharmacies, and government service centers. The electricity will be provided free-of-charge to the consumer.
For additional information on where chargers will be located, how the program will be managed, and the timeline for implementation, refer to the FAQ page. This page will be updated regularly as more details become available. If you’re interested in receiving periodic updates directly to your inbox, please sign up here.
The CFI project is part of ARC’s Reconnecting the Region initiative, which aims to connect communities that have long been divided by major infrastructure projects like highways, railways, and the airport, in a way that offers greater economic opportunities and improved access to good jobs and essential services such as health care.
Owning and operating a vehicle is a major financial burden for many people, with electric vehicles often being out of reach due to higher purchase prices than comparable ICE vehicles. However, more affordable models and a growing used vehicle marketplace are making EVs more cost-competitive every day. The true cost savings, however, continue to be realized with long-term operating expenses since electricity is generally less expensive than gasoline (and less routine maintenance is required due to fewer moving parts and associated fluids). By providing free charging and focusing on disadvantaged communities, this project can be an important stepping stone in making the purchase of an EV a financially sensible decision for more people.
ARC’s Strategic Partners are committed to fostering collaborative regional approaches that improve quality of life in metro Atlanta. Their support elevates ARC leadership programs, research and events throughout the year. Learn more.
