RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Incentives

• NEW: Inflation Reduction Act Electric Vehicle Incentives: The Clean Vehicle Credit took effect on August 16, 2022, with a new requirement for final assembly in North America. Learn more here.
• Federal and State: The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy office manages the Alternative Fuels Data Center, which houses a wealth of information about laws and incentives governing alternative fuel vehicles. For Federal laws and incentives, refer to this page, and for Virginia specific information, please click here.

COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Incentives

• Federal and State: The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy office manages the Alternative Fuels Data Center, which houses a wealth of information about laws and incentives governing alternative fuel vehicles. For Federal laws and incentives, refer to this page, and for Virginia specific information, please click here.

FIND OUT IF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE IS RIGHT FOR YOU!

Although walking, biking, or taking public transportation remain the most sustainable modes of transportation - electric vehicles outperform traditional internal-combustion engine (ICE) vehicles both environmentally and economically, when you need to drive:

• $6,000 – $10,000 average savings over vehicle lifetime, when switching to an EV.  EV fuel and maintenance cost savings can offset higher purchase prices.[1]
• 66% emissions reductions – The lifecycle carbon dioxide emissions reductions savings potential of EVs operating on the Virginia Dominion Energy grid.[2]
• $4,600 saved in maintenance and repair costs, lifetime average savings per EV, as   EVs have fewer moving parts, do not require oil changes, utilize regenerative braking, and more.[3]

Dominion Energy provides a wealth of information about electric vehicles for Virginia customers. Check out the many resources they have to offer:

• Savings Calculator
• Commute Calculator
• CO2 Reduction Calculator
• EV Model Basic Information

Virginia Clean Cities, a local non-profit partnering with James Madison University, offers more information about electric vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles on their website.

THE CITY'S ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE READINESS STRATEGY

The Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Readiness Strategy (EVRS) is a roadmap to anticipate the electric vehicle charging infrastructure needs of City residents, workforce members, and visitors as electric vehicles become more mainstream. The EVRS project includes:

• Evaluating projections for current and future electric vehicle charging infrastructure needs;
• Recommending locations for publicly-accessible charging infrastructure with integration into a broader regional electric vehicle charging infrastructure network;
• Recommending charging infrastructure options, including hardware, business ownership, and operation models, interoperability, and operations and maintenance solutions;
• Reviewing the City’s zoning, codes, permitting, and inspection codes and development processes and requirements to recommend updated, or new, language to promote and anticipate electric vehicle charging needs; and
• Recommending policies, approaches, and synergies for locating electric vehicle charging infrastructure at businesses, multi-unit dwellings, single-family homes, right-of-way, and other locations.

Synergies with the City’s electric vehicle initiatives, DASH zero emission bus projects, and other forms of mobility were evaluated. This program is identified as a key program to advance smart mobility and Environmental Action Plan 2040 goals. 

The EVRS development process launched in February 2020 with meetings with various City staff, and research and data collection on the City's existing policies, plans, and initiatives. In April 2020, City staff provided a pre-recorded presentation and the opportunity for the Alexandria community and interested stakeholders the opportunity to provide input and feedback on electric vehicle charging infrastructure priorities. In July 2020, the City invited further community input via an online questionnaire that sought to evaluate charging needs and to help evaluate locations for publicly-accessible chargers. In October and November 2020, City staff presented a draft EVRS to the Environmental Policy Commission, the Traffic and Parking Board, and the Transportation Commission while concurrently receiving additional community input through an online feedback form.

EQUITY CONSIDERATIONS

The EVRS takes into account various equity considerations to reflect the City’s ALL Alexandria commitments as set forth in Alexandria City Council Resolution 2794 throughout its analysis and recommendations, including ensuring that race and social equity is incorporated in matters of planning; recommending implementation considerations that advance race and social equity; finding alignments and recommending implementation of policies designed to advance race and social equity goals; and ensuring accountability mechanisms related to the progression and transparency of work to advance race and social equity. 

RECOMMENDATIONS

The EVRS is built around a set of 31 recommendations —including potential near- and long-term actions—that support the Alexandria community’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure needs. The recommendations address six key areas:

• Meeting Charging Demand. Actions that remove charging availability as a barrier for segments of the population like vehicle owners without private parking.
• Enhancing Communications and Awareness. Actions that inform and build capacity among the general population.
• Strengthening Zoning, Building Codes, and Permitting. Actions that remove barriers to installing new charging infrastructure.
• Advocating in State Government or with Dominion Energy. Actions for which City staff can advocate at the state level or with Dominion Energy that will strengthen the region’s electric vehicle ecosystem.
• Building Successful Business Models for Chargers. Actions that improve the business case for publicly-accessible charging stations.
• Implementing the Recommendations. Actions aimed at advancing the implementation of the EVRS's recommendations. 

The resulting EVRS, including recommendations, is based on a combination of City staff engagement, virtual public engagement surveys, spatial analysis, literature review, engagement with domestic and international peer cities, and expert input.

• Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Readiness Strategy (EVRS)
• EVRS Factsheet
• EVRS Presentation to City Council (April 27, 2021)

Dominion Energy EV Charging Resources

Dominion Energy offers information regarding incentive for off-peak charging, FAQs, and more on their electric vehicles page. 

QUESTIONS? LET US KNOW!

• Please send us your questions by completing this form.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE PURCHASING

• Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) is committed to achieving a zero-emission fleet and has more than a dozen 100% battery-electric buses (BEBs) in its fleet.
• Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)  currently has five BEBs in its fleet and was recently awarded $2.3M in State funding to procure additional electric buses, planned for 2023.
• The City's FY2020 budget funds the purchase of only electric or hybrid gas/electric general-purpose sedans. The budget also funds a pilot program to test the feasibility of electric and hybrid police cruisers.

Alternative fuel policy

On January 26, 2021, Alexandria City Council formally approved the City’s first Alternative Fuel Policy. This policy, which will govern the purchase of City owned and maintained vehicles, includes the goals of replacing 25% of the City’s fleet with electric vehicles by fiscal year 2024 and reducing overall vehicle emissions from the City’s fleet by 25% over the next 10 years. The City owns and maintains a fleet of approximately 900 vehicles and pieces of equipment. The recently adopted policy guides the City in purchasing the most cost effective, lowest emission generating, and fuel- efficient vehicles and equipment possible, while still meeting the operational requirements of the intended use. The policy also focuses on best practices for fleet utilization, driver behavior, route optimization, and maintenance.