The Atlanta Regional Commission Board adopted a Regional Transportation Electrification Plan (RTEP) Tuesday, the first of its kind in metro Atlanta, that will drive EV infrastructure in the region.
The RTEP provides information on not only the current state of EV adoption and related infrastructure, but also forecasts potential demand and provides a framework to guide EV-related infrastructure investments.
“We know that electric vehicles will play an increasingly important role in our region in the years to come. This landmark plan will help guide investments in metro Atlanta to accommodate this historic EV transformation and ensure that it occurs in an equitable fashion,” Anna Roach, ARC Executive Director & CEO, said.
The plan outlies policy to cover the expansion and coordination of the EV charging infrastructure, the acceleration of EV adoption in the region, the creation of workforce development needed to maintain economic competitiveness and the alignment of the RTEP with regional climate planning efforts to support greenhouse gas reductions.
Funded by the Federal Highway Administration, the plan supports ARC’s ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help the region become more climate change resilient, officials said.
The plan forecasts the Atlanta region will have 361,000 EVs on the road in 2030, compared to 85,000 today, which will require an increase in the number of private and public charging stations. The plan forecasts market share of new EV sales will be between 30 and 60 of all new vehicle sales by 2030, compared to the 8 percent of new vehicle sales now in the metro Atlanta area.
“This plan is an important part of ARC’s ongoing efforts to support a sustainable transportation system in our region,” John Orr, Senior Managing Director of Transportation Planning at ARC, said. “But EV’s are just one element of our strategy. We must continue to design livable, walkable communities and invest in public transit, trails, and bike-ped infrastructure.”