The U.S. Department of Energy-funded Charging Smart technical assistance and designation program is now available in all 50 states. Charging Smart offers free technical assistance to help local governments accelerate the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure.
By removing barriers to EV deployment, participating communities can unlock economic development, cleaner air, and other local benefits while maintaining project safety. Local governments can earn Bronze, Silver, or Gold designations, providing national recognition of their status as an EV-friendly community.
Charging Smart initially launched in a pilot phase in 2023, providing services to local governments primarily in the South and Midwest, as well as Colorado, Connecticut, and southern California. Nine cities in Minnesota were the first to earn Charging Smart designations in 2024. Eden Prairie, Falcon Heights, Faribault, Inver Grove Heights, Oakdale, Roseville, and St. James, Minnesota, earned Bronze designations, while Hopkins and La Crescent, Minnesota, earned Silver. These local governments updated their permitting and inspection practices, reviewed zoning rules, and took other measures to increase the accessibility of EV charging infrastructure. Now, cities and counties in any U.S. state can access the benefits of participation.
Charging Smart and its sister program, SolSmart, “really served as a good catalyst for us to make our permitting process faster and more efficient,” said Jason Ludwigson, sustainability coordinator for the city of La Crescent. “The programs helped us to reduce barriers to entry, particularly for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, and improved community connections.”
“The national launch of the Charging Smart program will help communities simplify EV charging deployment procedures, such as permitting and inspection processes,” said Austin Brown, director of the DOE Vehicle Technologies Office. “This will ease the burden on local governments, reduce the total cost and timelines for EV infrastructure deployment, and advance access to charging across the U.S., reducing costs for families and pollution for everyone.”
Charging Smart is led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), with Great Plains Institute (GPI) serving as lead partner on the project. Other partners include RMI, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Forth, the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC), EVNoire, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC), North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC), and eight Clean Cities and Communities (CC&C) coalitions across the country.
“The national launch of Charging Smart is an opportunity for all U.S. local governments, from large cities to small, rural towns, to deploy practices tailored to their specific needs,” said Ed Gilliland, senior director of strategic initiatives at the IREC. “Drawing from a well-vetted menu of 150 specific actions, the program offers localities a clear path to achieve designation and become proficient in facilitating the growth of EVs and EV charging.”
Charging Smart is part of DOE’s Energy Ready suite of programs, which help local governments strategically manage the expansion of distributed energy technologies, including EV charging infrastructure, solar power, and distributed wind energy. All Energy Ready programs offer free technical assistance to U.S. local governments, helping them cut red tape, save staff time, ensure safety, and increase economic development associated with these technologies.
“Transportation electrification has the potential to be nothing short of a revolution, though it comes with its challenges. The Charging Smart program can help any community navigate this challenge by combining expert technical assistance, resources, and peer networks. GPI has seen the impact of our work in the pilot phase, with 11 cities across the Midwest earning the first Charging Smart designations. We are grateful for the DOE’s continued support and excited to expand the program nationwide with our partners!” said Mackenzie Love, AICP, Senior Program Manager and Transportation Planner at the Great Plains Institute.
For more information on Charging Smart, including how eligible communities can sign up, visit ChargingSmart.org. In addition, the program is offering a free Introduction to Charging Smart webinar on Feb. 4. Register here.
Tags: Department of Energy, EV charging
