Electric Vehicles

Information on the City’s initiatives regarding electric vehicles including how the City is planning for charging infrastructure, information and incentives for potential electric vehicle buyers (for personal or commercial use), and City fleet initiatives.

Page updated on May 26, 2021 at 1:25 PM

Electric Vehicles in Alexandria

It is now easier, more affordable, and more practical for homeowners, businesses, and local governments to use electric vehicles (EVs) for their daily commute and operations. The average American has a daily round-trip commute of less than 30 miles and many EV models have driving ranges over 330 miles on a full charge. Depending on your gasoline and electric rates, EV operation can be three to five times cheaper than gasoline and diesel-powered cars. EVs do not require gasoline, can be charged at home, and do not need oil changes. EVs have no tailpipe emissions so they contribute to a cleaner atmosphere and as utility electric grids become cleaner with greater amounts of renewable energy, the greenhouse gas emissions associated with charging your vehicle continue to decrease.* You can also consider coupling an EV purchase with a solar installation to ensure greener charging!


What's New

NEW! City of Alexandria’s Releases Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Readiness Strategy

The City of Alexandria’s Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Readiness Strategy (EVRS) identifies strategic recommendations for the City to support electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the Alexandria community. The EVRS’s development is an action identified in the City’s Environmental Action Plan 2040 to achieve the City’s greenhouse gas emission targets and goals. Moreover, the EVRS supports advancing many of the smart mobility goals under consideration in the City’s Alexandria Mobility Plan.

Learn more about the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Readiness Strategy.

    Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Readiness Strategy


    Learn More About the City's Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Readiness Strategy!!!


    The Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Readiness Strategy will develop a roadmap to anticipate the electric vehicle charging infrastructure needs of City residents, workforce members, and visitors as electric vehicles become more mainstream. The Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Readiness Strategy 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 will also be 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 2794throughout 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.

     

    Questions? Let Us Know!

    Community & Electric Vehicles

    Find Out if an Electric Vehicle is Right for You!

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

     

    Charging Stations

    • The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center provides an interactive map for locating electric vehicle charging stations across the country. To find locations within the City for charging, just enter your destination in the map’s search bar here.

     

    Residential 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.

     

    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.

    City Fleet Electric Vehicle Initiatives

    Electric Vehicle Purchasing

    • The 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 and develop a strategy to facilitate electric vehicle charging infrastructure for public and private vehicles across the city.

    * Source: Dominion Energy - dominionenergy.chooseev.com/home/

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