Big Ideas Contained in the Toolkit
Funding, Outreach, Community Planning, Regulation, Charging, Fleets, Utility Engagement, Comprehensive Planning, and State Actions
Organization of the Toolkit
With each annual update of the Toolkit, we seek to make the information as easy to locate within the document. We’ve retained the functionality of the document as a PDF with hyperlinks from the table of contents to relevant sections, and we’ve displayed the information more like a collection of fact sheets that can be examined by topic or in its entirety. It still has the fantastic resources and examples as previous versions, but with updated information.
The document remains arranged by big idea, with several supporting objectives. Many of the actionable items are broken out with best practices, examples, or resources to support them.
Top Line Updates
With each new year, we’re excited to share programs, policies, and resources that have been developed and adopted by Southeastern local governments. This year’s additions help local governments achieve greater safety measures, accessibility, and technical support.
Atlanta’s EV Readiness Ordinance 2025 Update
The city of Atlanta, GA updated its EV Ready Ordinance to specifically include EV-ready infrastructure requirements AND site-level fire safety requirements into a single, unified development policy.
Where it’s found (two places): Regulation: EV Ready and Outreach-Safety
Safety Resources
As a newer technology, local governments are seeking resources to address safety considerations that are unique to electric vehicles. The Toolkit provides resources for education, training, and policy.
Where it’s found: Safety
NREL EVI-Locate Tool
The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure – Locally Optimized Charging Assessment Tool and Estimator (EVI-LOCATE) is a comprehensive design tool developed by the experts at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that helps users create an electric vehicle charging station deployment plan, from layout to cost estimates.
Where it’s found: Municipal Fleets
Energy Edge Program
The Energy Edge Program provides rebates to the residents and businesses of the City of Boynton Beach, FL that install eligible energy efficiency improvements, solar energy, or electric vehicle supply equipment.
Where it’s found: Funding
Carolina Carshare Program
Carolina Carshare is a membership-based car-sharing service providing 24/7 access to all-electric vehicles on an hourly basis for residents in Charlotte, NC.
Where it’s found: Outreach-Community Partnerships
Charging Smart Program
The Charging Smart Program offers free technical assistance to help local governments adopt policies, practices, and incentives that exemplify recognized best practices for enabling efficient EV charger expansion. Local governments can earn designations, providing national recognition of their status as an EV-friendly community.
Where it’s found: Community Planning
Zoning EV Cords in the Right of Way
The resource: Low-Cost Innovation in Residential EV Charging: City Policies Enabling Cords in the Public Right-of-Way examines policies cities are pursuing that allow residents to extend a charging cord across the sidewalk public right-of-way (PROW) to a parked vehicle as a simple, low-cost alternative to dedicated public infrastructure installations.
Where it’s found: Regulation: Zoning
Interested in Diving Deeper?
Local government staff who are interested in maximizing the Toolkit to meet their ET goals can schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dory Larsen from SACE.
The benefits of the Toolkit as a resource can be further maximized by connecting with the local governments that are highlighted. One way to do that is to participate in the Electrify the South Collaborative. The ETS Collaborative convenes municipalities across the Southeast through virtual meetings and in-person meetings to help them collectively achieve their transportation electrification goals. Click here to learn more about the ETS Collaborative.
