GUIDING PRINCIPLES
PREAMBLE
We are at a pivotal moment in the nation’s transition to clean transportation. Strong state leadership, rapidly advancing technology, and expanding private sector investment have aligned to create real momentum for electric vehicle (EV) adoption. States and cities across the country have taken bold action to promote transportation electrification. Utilities are investing billions to support grid readiness and EV infrastructure. Leading manufacturers are delivering dozens of new models of electric cars, trucks, and buses with better performance, longer range, and lower costs. And many of the country’s largest corporations are committing to electrify their fleets and reduce emissions.
While federal investments – such as those in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – have laid a foundation, the road ahead will be shaped by local action, public-private collaboration, and continued market commitment. The challenge before us is clear: we must deploy EV charging infrastructure at scale to meet growing demand and ensure that consumers and fleets can confidently make the switch to electric.
Now is the time to confront financing barriers, leverage public and private capital, and scale deployment in a way that delivers long-term value and equity. Business as usual is not enough. We need new voices, broader partnerships, and more pragmatic, inclusive approaches. We must break down silos and build a national charging network that delivers clean air, economic opportunity, and mobility for all communities.
As we expand the nation’s EV charging ecosystem, we must intentionally address historic inequities. This includes ensuring that investment reaches underserved and overburdened communities, supporting workforce development, and delivering good jobs at good wages across the country.
The members of this Initiative bring diverse perspectives, goals, and expertise. But we share a common vision: a national charging network that supports light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electric vehicles and accelerates our transition to a zero-emission transportation future.
These Guiding Principles express our shared values and help guide collective and individual action. They are a signal to policymakers, investors, communities, and the public that we are committed to collaborating, innovating, and scaling our efforts to meet the urgent needs of this moment.
TOPLINE PRINCIPLES
Meeting the nation’s electrification needs requires a new level of collaboration across all sectors – business, government, utilities, advocates, and communities.
EV infrastructure must support stronger, healthier, more resilient communities by prioritizing community-driven solutions and expanding access to charging in underserved and historically marginalized areas.
There is an urgent need to scale and broaden access to EV charging infrastructure across all vehicle classes – light-, medium-, and heavy-duty.
The private sector must play a leading role by investing alongside public and utility funding to accelerate infrastructure buildout and ensure that it serves all drivers, fleets, and geographies.
Charging infrastructure development must generate inclusive economic growth, good jobs at good wages, and long-term benefits for workers and communities.
Electric utilities, regulators, charging providers, and other stakeholders must coordinate to deploy infrastructure in ways that enhance grid performance, align with clean energy goals, and deliver benefits to all ratepayers.
The national EV charging ecosystem must deliver a convenient, reliable, seamless, and secure user experience – regardless of driver income, location, or vehicle type.