Summary
- Delaware has been ranked as the best state in the country for electric vehicles, showing the most improvement from last year according to a new study
- Factors that contributed to Delaware’s top ranking include the number of public EV chargers per road length, average power capacity of public EV chargers, number of battery electric vehicles versus internal combustion engine vehicles, and likelihood of finding an unoccupied charger
- Delaware has seen a surge in electric vehicle ownership since clean car regulations were approved in November 2023
- Delaware currently has 616 public charging ports with plans to build more, utilizing both federal and state funding
- The state has received a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant to build medium and heavy-duty charging infrastructure along busy corridors like I-95, aiming to reduce emissions and improve air quality in the state
Article
Delaware has been named the best state in the country for electric vehicles, according to a new study released in honor of World EV Day. Last year, Delaware was ranked 15th, but this year it jumped to first place, showing the most improvement of any state. The study evaluated each state based on metrics such as availability of public EV chargers, average power capacity of chargers, number of electric vehicles on the road, and likelihood of finding an unoccupied charger. Delaware’s substantial improvement can be attributed to a growth in EV sales and nearly twice the power capacity per charger compared to last year.
A major turning point for electric vehicles in Delaware was the approval of clean car regulations in November 2023, requiring an increasing number of electric vehicles to be sold in the state between 2026 and 2032. Since then, Delaware has seen a surge in electric vehicle ownership, with over 10,000 electric vehicles registered in the state. The availability of rebates for cars and chargers has also contributed to the increase in EV ownership. Additional legislation passed by Gov. Carney has provided financial incentives for residents looking to install electric vehicle infrastructure on their property.
Despite the progress made in terms of registration numbers, Delaware still has room for improvement in the ratio of vehicles to chargers on the road, as identified in the EV Index. The state currently has 616 public charging ports, with plans for additional chargers to be built along major highways such as I-95, Route 1, and Route 13. The construction process has been slow-moving, with funding and contractual processes causing delays. However, efforts are being made to accelerate the buildout of charging infrastructure.
Delaware’s Department of Transportation has received funding from the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Plan to build fast EV chargers along major highways. The state is also a recipient of the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, which will be used to build medium and heavy-duty charging infrastructure along busy corridors like I-95. This initiative aims to reduce emissions from heavy-duty trucks and freight carriers while improving air quality in the state. The partnership between DelDOT and DNREC will determine the best locations for these charging stations to maximize their impact.
Delaware’s progress in the electric vehicle sector is a significant step towards a cleaner, more sustainable transportation future. Despite challenges such as funding delays and slow construction processes, the state is actively working towards expanding its charging infrastructure and increasing the adoption of electric vehicles. With continued support from government agencies and partnerships with other states, Delaware is on track to further improve its ranking as the best state for electric vehicles in the country.
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