South Carolina, along with other states, is experiencing growth in electric vehicle adoption. This shift is not only driven by increasing consumer demand, but also by proactive efforts from local governments and utility providers, all aiming to foster a sustainable and accessible EV ecosystem.
Some municipalities, such as the City of Conway, have gone beyond simply installing charging infrastructure to support the growing demand, as the city has also purchased EVs as part of its own vehicle fleet.
As the EV market grows, more municipalities are looking to add charging infrastructure. Volta, a subsidiary of Shell, has published tips for creating urban EV charging that provides valuable insight for planning leaders in urban areas.
The first step in implementing EV infrastructure is to plan the locations. Cities should prioritize two key factors:
- Consider locations where people already spend their time, like in downtown shopping districts and entertainment venues.
- Ensure there is an equitable distribution of charging stations in an area.
When planning, it is important to look beyond current EV registration and data, as predictive analytics can help planners to anticipate future EV adoption in a specific region. The goal of city planners should be to develop an EV charging network that not only integrates with the lifestyles and behaviors of the community members, but also offers advantages to visitors traveling to or through the city.
Once a city has finalized infrastructure plans and determined the number of stations and their locations, the next step is to choose a provider. As it decides on an owner-operator charging collaborator, the city should evaluate the different types of EV charging providers and how they operate. Choosing a widely recognized charging provider can enhance the experience for EV owners within the municipality.
After selecting the charging provider that’s best for the city’s goals, the next phase is to prepare for the charging station installation process. The city can stipulate that local construction and service contractors are involved for both the initial installation of chargers and their subsequent maintenance.
Planners may want to consider a “dig-once” approach. This philosophy helps ensure a streamlined, aesthetically continuous cityscape, and can also facilitate the development of other important infrastructure. For example, the conduit laid for the charging station can also be used for other solutions like electric scooters and bicycles. It could also power 5G networking hardware. Collaborating with the local electric utility from the beginning is crucial. An early partnership and planning process can prevent costly mistakes.
Once constructed, city officials should be sure to develop a risk management plan that focuses on fire hazards, electrical safety, cybersecurity and operational risks. This plan needs to include regular maintenance, inspection and staff training, as well as developing a written incident response procedure. When considering how to manage risks associated with EV charging stations, be sure to implement safeguards against operational risks like vandalism and theft, weather events, and trip and falls.
Members of the SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund can visit the policy portal on the Municipal Association’s website and enter an endorsement to schedule their EV chargers to be insured under the first-party property coverage.
The final step for cities to implement EV chargers is to communicate, engage and educate their community about the location, accessibility and benefits of the chargers. This can involve using existing communication channels including email, social media, local media, texting and websites to inform residents about the charging stations. Also, consider using chargers with digital media capabilities. These screens at the charging stations can be used as message boards to communicate valuable information.
Many community members cannot install their own home charging system, and so municipalities have an opportunity to provide a valuable benefit to residents who own or plan to own EVs. With thoughtful planning, collaboration with the right partners and developing a good risk management plan, a municipality can play a pivotal role in providing public charging infrastructure.
For questions about managing the risks of EV charging stations, contact Bethany Pendley, loss control manager, at 803 933.1210 or bpendley@masc.sc.