Cities can be critical innovators and leaders in environmental protection. When it comes to transportation, many of the most critical decisions are made at the city level. In the face of increasing global urbanization, local leadership is ever more important. 

Recently, Forth conducted interviews with 11 cities across the country to gain insights on how other places are making strides in transportation electrification (TE). We asked about planning, spending, and governmental organization as it relates to TE.

To reach climate and equity goals, both locally and globally, investment in TE is a fundamental part of an impactful strategy. There are multiple avenues for cities to designate funds and design programs. Some have designated staff in sustainability management; others offer shared sustainability across departments and bureaus. While individual cities may have different goals based on their community’s specific needs, geography, and funding, these cities have developed flexible strategies and nimble responses to address transportation electrification.

Constituents’ needs very, and initiatives should include community stakeholders in the efforts to improve equity. In alignment with a city’s strategic plans, stakeholder engagement can translate the needs of communities surrounding overall EV adoption and implementation. Connecting with stakeholders has been done in a variety of ways. Stakeholders may include both internal and external communities, additional city departments, and the general public. 

Each city has learned that there are many levers they can pull to lower barriers in their communities. They have electrified their own fleets, supported and encouraged the development of robust EV charging networks on city-owned and private property, updated municipal codes to accelerate EV readiness, educated residents and businesses about the benefits of electric vehicles, used their buying power to ensure electric vehicles are available to local consumers and ensured that disadvantaged communities benefit from these new technologies. 

Read the detailed report here.