An increasing availability of charging stations has proven advantageous for both employers and their employees.
The results are in: access to plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging at work has nearly doubled in the last two years! Because workplace charging benefits employers as well as their employees, it’s easy to see why. It enables both large and small organizations to demonstrate innovation, leadership, and environmental stewardship; attract and retain environmentally aware employees; and reduce petroleum use and greenhouse gas emissions.
To boost their workplace charging programs and share best practices, leading employers from across the country are partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy through the EV Everywhere Workplace Charging Challenge. The Challenge aims to achieve a dramatic increase in the number of employers offering workplace charging by 2018.
By means of a survey conducted in August 2014, Challenge partners shared how their efforts are making an impact in their communities and helping to identify effective approaches to workplace charging.
According to survey respondents, employees of Challenge partners are 20 times more likely to drive a PEV than the average worker. In fact, 1 in 73 partners’ employees drive a PEV in contrast to the national average of 1 in more than 1,400.
Additional findings from responding partners include the following:
- The number of partner workplace locations offering workplace charging increased by 40% in 2013 and an additional 45% in 2014.
- 90% of partners reported that their workplace charging stations are fully occupied at least 5 days a week
- Partner charging stations in operation by June 2014 provide an estimated annual kWh usage of 6.7 million kWh. This usage would be saving 800,000 gallons of gasoline and 5.5 million pounds of greenhouse gas annually — the equivalent of removing nearly 1,500 average cars from U.S. roads.
Founded in January 2013 with 13 original partners, the Challenge has since grown to 150 partners. Currently, Challenge partners are providing access to PEV charging stations for more than 600,000 employees at more than 300 worksites all across the country.
If 150 employers can do this much good, imagine what could happen if 500 employers made the commitment to provide workplace charging access. The U.S. Department of Energy invites your organization to join us in making a difference for your employees, your community, and your nation. Learn more about how your organization can join the Workplace Charging Challenge or contact WorkplaceCharging@ee.doe.gov.
- Sarah Olexsak, U.S. Department of Energy
- For more information:
- Clean Cities Technical Response Service Team
- technicalresponse@icfi.com
- 800-254-6735