By KERRI GARVIN
Guest Columnist
Around the United States, adoption of electric vehicles has continued to increase alongside investment in zero-emission vehicle technology and charging infrastructure thanks to investments made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The scope of this law goes beyond traditional roads and bridges. There are innovative programs such as the Clean School Bus Program which provides funding for electric and alternative fuel buses for school districts across the country. All around Indiana, Hoosiers are embracing these opportunities. Already, Carmel Clay Schools has been awarded an electric school bus and the City of Carmel has been awarded funding to install two Level 2 charging stations under the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust.
In Newberry, Ind., EV Connect is partnering with Indiana’s Battery Innovation Center and Energy Systems Network to create a large-scale vehicle to grid system for school bus and heavy-duty truck fleets. This clean energy investment is key as the number of electric vehicles in the United States increases.
Since 2016, there has been a 50 percent increase in electric vehicle registrations in Indiana, with electric vehicles representing 0.1 percent of all vehicles registered in the state. In the U.S., about 5 percent of new car sales are electric vehicles, which, according to a Bloomberg analysis of electric vehicle adoption rates around the world, suggests the start of mass EV adoption as technological preferences rapidly shift. In preparation of widespread adoption, Indiana should continue to invest in electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and clean energy to be ready to meet the demand.
Over the last few years, Hoosier legislators have made strides toward clean energy investment. The Indiana General Assembly has passed a variety of bills supporting the energy sector and electric vehicles, including HB 1221, which allows businesses to charge EV station users by the kilowatt-hour and the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to approve utility EV pilot programs. HB 1168 was also signed into law establishing the EV Product Commission, which was developed to evaluate Indiana’s production capability and current workforce skills to produce electric vehicle parts, products, and components.
In the past few years, policymakers and officials have begun to realize the importance of providing electric vehicle infrastructure and support of EVs throughout the country. In Indiana alone, there have been billions of dollars of planned investment announced by Stellantis, Samsung SDI, Toyota, and Workhorse Motor Works. These planned investments are projected to add thousands of clean energy jobs to Indiana’s existing 285,967 energy jobs. Today, advancements in technology are only continuing to accelerate adoption, but the infrastructure needed to support projected consumer and fleet demand is still lacking.
Thankfully research and projects are underway to help reduce range anxiety. Purdue University is working in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and Ford on separate projects to improve electric vehicle charging technology, ensuring longer battery life, which means less stopping to charge. Equipping Indiana with the infrastructure to support a broad EV rollout will continue to drive advancements making transportation more efficient and affordable.
Projects like the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust Funded DC Fast Charging Network led by the Indiana Utility Group, and the Indiana Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan created by INDOT in collaboration with state agencies and other partners, will ensure convenient, reliable, and equitable access to charging stations for all Hoosiers.
Indiana’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan was submitted to the federal government on Aug. 1 as a requirement of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and provides a roadmap for how we implement EV infrastructure in the state, including how it would be rolled out in Hamilton County. Indiana will receive nearly $100 million through the Federal National EV Charging Network Program over the next five years, and it is up to all of us to ensure that it truly meets the projected needs of the state. We encourage everyone to take a look at the plan and submit public comments using the online form on the INDOT program page. This is a fantastic opportunity to make an investment now that will pay off for years to come.
Whether it is for heavy duty trucking, school buses, municipal fleets, or transit, Indiana is a lead adopter of alternative fuels including ethanol, biodiesel, CNG, RNG, propane, and electric. Being a lead adopter of alternative fuels puts Indiana in a position to take on the next alt fuel options for our transportation sector. Supporting EV infrastructure leads to prosperity for the entire industry.
Kerri Garvin is the Executive Director of Greater Indiana Clean Cities, Inc.