Electric Vehicles Are Coming: Here’s How Virginia Can Prepare

In 2017, roughly 11,000 electric vehicles were registered to drive on Virginian roads, according to the Virginia Energy Plan. By the middle of 2020, that number had grown to over 17,000, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. And with legislation passed during the most recent General Assembly session incentivizing the use of electric vehicles — like one bill that gives those who purchase or lease an electric vehicle a $2,500 rebate or another bill which requires car manufacturers to sell a certain percentage of electric vehicles in the state starting in 2025 — the number of electric vehicles registered in Virginia will only go up. 

That’s why the Commonwealth Transportation Board, which oversees the Virginia Department of Transportation, heard a presentation earlier this month on a study looking into the state’s electric vehicle readiness. The study provided a look at Virginia’s current electric vehicle readiness and identified several ways to prepare for an increasing number of electric vehicles operating in the state. 

With 2,095 charging outlets located at 701 charging stations and new charging infrastructure constantly being developed, Virginia currently ranks 11th in the United States in terms of electric vehicle supply equipment. And when it comes to the total number of vehicles registered in the state, Virginia ranks 13th in the country.

While Virginia is certainly a leader in electric vehicle readiness in the U.S., the study points out reasons as to why consumers might be discouraged from purchasing electric vehicles. A survey released in 2019 found that consumers are concerned about the distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge (referred to as “range anxiety”), the cost of purchasing or leaving an electric vehicle, the lack of charging stations close to home, and the amount of time it takes for electric vehicles to fully recharge.

In an effort to overcome these barriers to electric vehicle adoption among consumers, the study suggested a number of ways Virginia can incentivize citizens to adopt electric vehicles and improve electric vehicle readiness.

There are currently several state agencies working to prepare Virginians for a transition to electric vehicles. One of the suggestions detailed in the study consists of creating an interagency working group, which would bring together the various statewide efforts to improve electric vehicle readiness into a single, unified approach. Other states have adopted similar groups in order to coordinate research and policy, such as Go Electric Oregon and Maryland EV.

Drivers who operate gas-powered vehicles in Virginia enjoy the benefit of knowing they’ll be provided with roadside assistance in the case of running out of gas while on the go. Virginia’s Safety Service Patrol provides, among other things, gas for cars with empty fuel tanks stranded on the road. Incentivizing consumers to adopt electric vehicles by addressing fears of range anxiety, the study suggested Virginia could provide similar assistance for electric vehicles in need of a charge while on the go.

The report also suggested considering the logistics of installing charging stations on state-owned property. Legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2019 allows for the Department of General Services, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the Department of Transportation to operate electric vehicle charging stations. Working with the private sector to identify areas in the state where electric vehicle supply equipment is needed was also suggested by the study. 

Notably, the study also suggested placing electric vehicle supply equipment in economically disadvantaged communities, which are more likely to be exposed to exhaust pollution than more affluent communities. And for those that may not use a car to move around, the study recommended that Virginia continue to work to implement electric buses; in 2020, the state funded its first 17 electric buses. Public transportation is a great way to cut down on carbon emissions, and electric buses reduce the state’s reliance on non-renewable resources even further. 

Electric vehicles are quickly being adopted in Virginia. With legislation recently passed incentivizing electric vehicle use in Virginia, there will be an increased need for electric vehicle supply equipment throughout the state. The study presented to the Commonwealth Transportation Board highlights several ways Virginia can become more prepared for a growing number of electric vehicles on the roads and strive toward a zero carbon emissions future.