Workplace Charging
Why Workplace Charging?
Outside of the home, work is the place where people spend the majority of their time. For an electric vehicle owner, this large time frame is a great opportunity to plug in their car and increase their daily commuting range. This not only serves as a convenience and benefit to employees but having an electric vehicle charger can encourage potential plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) owners to make the switch to an electric vehicle. Employers who offer workplace charging can enjoy the following benefits:
- Corporate Leadership- Taking this step towards furthering the electric vehicle infrastructure through the adoption of advanced technology can demonstrate corporate leadership and innovation.
- Sustainability- Electric vehicle charging can help contribute to the LEED Certification of a building, reduce indirect emissions, and overall enhance corporate sustainability efforts.
- Employee Incentive- The installation of an electric vehicle charger can serve as a valuable employee benefit by reducing the cost of commuting and increasing driving range
Workplace Charging Challenge
The Workplace Charging Challenge is a program set up by the Department of Energy in order response to President Obama’s EV Everywhere Grand Challenge, which aims to produce plug-in electric vehicles that are as affordable and convenient as gasoline vehicles by the year 2022. Employers are able to join this challenge as “Partners” by pledging to provide PEV charging access to their employees. Over 95% of partners have expressed satisfaction with their workplace charging program. Employers who become partners with DOE through this challenge have access to the following benefits:
- Resources, Tools and Technical Assistance- Partners are able to utilize established workplace charging tools and resources as they build their workplace charging programs. Station locators, cost calculators, and direct technical assistance are all available to partners of the workplace charging challenge.
- Information Exchange- Employers can share and acquire best practices and lessons learned in regards to workplace charging through peer-to-peer exchanges.
- Recognition- Partner accomplishments are recognized by DOE through a variety of measures, such as DOE websites, national media, and events.
By signing the Workplace Charging Pledge, partners commit to
- Publicly announcing a plan for the installation of workplace charging
- Publicly highlighting new and existing workplace charging installations
To see the current progress of the workplace charging challenge as well as a list of current partners, please click here
How Virginia Clean Cities Can Help
All of the Clean Cities coalitions throughout the country serve as “Ambassadors” for the Workplace Charging Challenge. These coalitions can help provide valuable support if you are considering beginning a workplace charging program or if you are in the process of implementing such a program. The Virginia Clean Cities office, based out James Madison University. can serve as both a role model and ambassador for workplace charging. The VCC office is home to a level two charger that was installed in April of 2015.
If you are interested in learning more about how VCC can help, please visit our About Us page or email Rachel Stukenborg at rachel@vacleancities.org.