Engaging Utilities: Rural Cooperatives Working to Deploy EV Charging
June 18, 2024
The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) hosted the Engaging Utilities: Rural Electric Cooperatives Deploying Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging webinar on June 18, 2024. Presenters focused on the landscape of rural utilities in transportation electrification, best practices and strategies for building EV charging infrastructure, and how to plan for future transportation needs.
Panelists
- Cyril Brunner, Vermont Electric Co-op
- Chelsea Mead, Trico Electric Cooperative
- Jennah Denney, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
- Doug Gilmore, Flathead Electric Cooperative
- John Goroski, Flathead Electric Cooperative
Key Takeaways
- Electric cooperatives serve 42 million people across 48 states, powering 56% of the nation’s landmass.
- One in four cooperative households are under the annual income of $35,000 per year.
- Since 2016, co-ops have doubled their renewable energy capacity.
- The Cooperative Approach to Vehicle Electrification (CAVE) consists of 131 co-ops. The network of co-ops is working to implement a variety of zero-emission transportation programs.
- Trico co-op (Tucson, AZ area) is taking a 5-year approach to its EV roadmap.
- As co-ops promote EV charging, they offer a variety of programs and incentives for members.
- Trico’s Experimental Off-Peak EV charging plan offers a 45% rate reduction from standard retail rate.
- Vermont Electric Cooperative offers members a credit for EV charging program participation.
- Flathead Electric Cooperative offered members a loaner program to give members experience driving and charging an EV.
Resources
- The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
- Home - Trico Electric Co-op
- Lighting the path to affordable clean energy, together — Vermont Electric Coop
- Electric Vehicles - Flathead Electric Cooperative
- Public electric vehicle charging infrastructure playbook · Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (driveelectric.gov)
- Grid-Constrained Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Sites: Battery-Buffered Options (driveelectric.gov)
- Battery Energy Storage for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (driveelectric.gov)