The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has awarded $3.9 million to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) to support the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The funding, provided through the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Grant Program, will be used to advance the region’s ongoing initiatives to expand EV use through the development of a connected, efficient, and equitable charging network.

The funding will provide convenient and affordable access to EV charging with sites located in the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Manassas and Arlington, Fairfax, Frederick, and Prince George’s Counties. The majority of the sites are in or near historically disadvantaged communities, closing the gaps in the existing charging network and bringing greater opportunity to communities most impacted by the effects of climate change.

“COG is pleased to receive this funding through the CFI Grant Program, allowing our local governments to continue charging forward in developing a robust network that makes electric vehicles a possibility for more of our residents,” said COG Executive Director Clark Mercer. “Zero emission vehicles are instrumental to meet our region’s ambitious 2030 climate goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent below 2005 levels.”

“Officials across our region are committed to ensuring all residents can access the environmental and economic benefits that electric vehicles offer. By keeping equity at the center of our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we can create thriving communities more resilient to a changing climate,” said Virginia Burke, Electric Vehicle and Air Quality Programs Manager with the Maryland Department of Transportation and chair of the COG Regional Electric Vehicle Deployment (REVD) Working Group.

In 2022, state and local officials on the COG Board of Directors identified widespread adoption of EVs as a regional priority and key strategy for achieving environmental sustainability goals. The COG Board also recognized existing barriers to making EVs accessible and convenient for all members of the public, including “charging deserts” often located in COG Equity Emphasis Areas, which have high concentrations of low-income individuals and/or traditionally disadvantaged racial and ethnic population groups.

COG continues to work closely with area governments as they collaborate on efforts to increase the adoption of EVs. The REVD Working Group is guiding regional EV planning efforts not only through coordinating on the regional CFI application but also through the development of COG’s EV Deployment Clearinghouse, which provides a suite of resources for deploying EVs, as well as recently finalizing a Regional Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Implementation Strategy.