Megan Hale, the Environmental Sustainability Manager for Norfolk's Department of General Services, presented an update on the city's electric vehicle (EV) charging plan during a recent city council meeting. The plan, developed in collaboration with the Cadmus Group over the past year, aims to enhance EV infrastructure in alignment with Norfolk's climate action goals, focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.

Hale outlined the plan's objectives, which include addressing the needs of low and moderate-income areas that lack off-street parking. The initiative is designed to ensure equitable access to EV charging stations across the community. The plan also positions Norfolk to compete for federal and state grant funding to support the expansion of charging infrastructure.

The presentation highlighted the current state of EV charging in Norfolk, noting that there are 135 charging ports across 42 locations, with a significant increase in registered electric vehicles—from 899 to over 1,500 in just one year. Projections indicate that Norfolk will need approximately 1,300 charging ports by 2030 and up to 8,500 by 2045 to accommodate the anticipated growth in EV ownership.

Hale emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement in the plan's development, which included public surveys and interviews with city staff and community members. The feedback gathered will help inform future strategies for deploying charging infrastructure.

The presentation also provided an overview of the different types of EV chargers available, including Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast chargers, each varying in charging speed and installation costs. A map displayed the current distribution of charging stations, revealing that many are located outside of disadvantaged communities, highlighting a need for more equitable access.

As Norfolk moves forward with its electric vehicle charging plan, the city aims to create a comprehensive network of charging stations that meets the needs of its residents while supporting broader environmental goals.