Electric Vehicle Readiness Study

Special Joint Meeting - November 8

 

Metro COG hosted a special joint meeting on EV charging considerations within zoning and land development codes. This session was tailored for Fargo-Moorhead area jurisdictions and planning commissioners and included examples of best practices from other cities. A recording of the meeting is below.

 

 

 

Special Joint Meeting Presentation
 

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EV Readiness Online Meeting - October 11

 

The online meeting for the EV Readiness Study is now closed. Thank you all for your feedback on study recommendations and EV strategies for the Fargo-Moorhead area!

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Electric Vehicle Readiness Pop-up Event - July 28

 

Thanks to everyone who stopped out at the 4th annual EV Car Show! It was great to hear your input and answer questions on the region's EV readiness! And thank you to St. John Lutheran Church for inviting us to be a part of the great event!

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EV Readiness Survey Responses and Next Steps

 

Throughout late March and April 2024, a survey was available for the public to provide feedback on electric vehicle awareness in the Fargo-Moorhead area. The survey was held online via Survey Monkey and received about 140 responses from around the metro area. These results have been compiled and can now be found under project resources.

In addition to the survey to the public, the project team met with a variety of stakeholders, including utilities, state and local government officials, non-profits and some businesses with EV interest. These meetings allowed the project team to receive more information on the community, what the future needs may be for EV infrastructure, and how EVs will work best for the community and businesses.

The project team will take the feedback from the public survey and the stakeholder meetings and will use it to help form the next step of the study - strategies for EVs in the area.

This fall, the suggested strategies will be shared via a virtual public meeting. Users will be able to get information about the study, what suggestions were determined by the project team, continue to provide thoughts, ask questions, and see how EVs will be part of the future of the Fargo-Moorhead area. Continue to check the project website and social media for updates!

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Electric Vehicle Readiness Open House - April 17

 

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Electric Vehicle Readiness Open House at the Sky Commons Conference Center on April 17. It was a great opportunity to listen to you and learn more about potential issues and opportunities as the Fargo-Moorhead metro area prepares for an anticipated growth in EV usage.

 

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Project Background Information

 

Electric vehicles are gaining traction among consumers, governments, and automakers as battery prices fall and the benefits of EVs increase. In recent years, virtually every major automobile manufacturer has announced plans to transition to electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles. As cities and regions look to capitalize on the opportunity that EVs can bring, from lower maintenance costs for consumers to better air quality for residents, they also must lay the groundwork for their communities to become ‘EV-ready’.

Project Objective

 

The objective of this study is to ensure that the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area is EV-ready by developing a vision for electric vehicle readiness, identifying key partnerships and actionable strategies, and facilitating community support for EVs. It is envisioned that this study will provide local jurisdictions with a public understanding of EV feasibility, assist in identifying current and potential barriers to EV adoption, and inform cities, counties, and other planning partners on infrastructure-related best practices to meet current and future EV needs throughout the metropolitan area.

When complete, the study is envisioned to provide strategies and recommendations for cities and counties to consider including but not limited to: model policies, infrastructure and service needs, land use and zoning, parking, building and development codes, permitting and inspection processes, procurement, technical assistance and education, partnership opportunities, and funding.

This study will tie into recent National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) plans completed by NDDOT and MnDOT, including goals, strategies, and key takeaways identified in each plan. Additional guidance developed by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration will also be utilized as appropriate.