Advancing Equity in EV Charging: Building an Electric Future for All Communities
EVgo's strategic approach to building an equitable EV charging network combines traditional site selection criteria with environmental justice considerations to ensure widespread accessibility to electric vehicle charging.
Key location factors include high-traffic retail locations like grocery stores, shopping malls, and convenience stores, which offer:
- Convenient amenities for drivers during charging
- Ample parking space
- Suitable electrical infrastructure
- 24/7 public access
EVgo's proprietary network planning tool evaluates additional crucial factors:
- Forecasted charging demand
- Local vehicle operation patterns
- Electricity rates
- Existing charging infrastructure
- Multifamily housing density
People at EVgo ribbon cutting ceremony
Environmental Justice Integration
EVgo uses EJScreen to identify and serve impacted communities, characterized by:
- Greater diversity
- Lower affluence levels
- Higher exposure to air pollution
- Higher population density
- Large proportion of multifamily housing
These communities often lack home charging options, making public charging stations essential for EV adoption.
Geographic Implementation Examples:
LA environmental justice zones map
Map of Phoenix environmental justice areas
Denver environmental justice map overlay
The maps showcase EVgo's current stations (blue dots) and planned locations (blue diamonds), with environmental justice zones indicated by purple shading - darker areas representing more impacted communities.
This data-driven approach ensures EVgo's network serves both business objectives and social equity goals, advancing their mission of making electric vehicle charging accessible to all communities.