HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM X A. WLGCC GHG PlaybookWisconsin Local Government
Transportation Electrification Playbook
PLANNING FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Create a community-wide EV vision, goals, and strategies
Address EVs in planning documents
Develop an EV roadmap
Discuss EV collaboration opportunities with electricity
provider
Promote existing utility EV programs
Work with the electric utility on the service connection
process
Work with utility to support private fleet electrification
Collaborate with utility to create new EV programs and
rates
UTILITY ENGAGEMENT
This playbook outlines high-impact actions that Wisconsin local governments can
take to support transportation electrification in their communities. The playbook
is informed by input from Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition
members and provides step-by-step guidance on the following high-impact
actions across four strategic categories:
planning for electric vehicles, utility engagement, municipal fleet
electrification, and expanding EV charging infrastructure.
Wisconsin Local Government
Transportation Electrif ication Playbook
MUNICIPAL FLEET ELECTRIFICATION
Conduct a fleet analysis
Give fleet operators the opportunity to test drive EVs
Develop an EV preference policy for municipal fleets
Electrify at least one light-duty vehicle
Conduct an analysis of fleet charging needs
Train relevant staff on EV use and maintenance
Install charging infrastructure for municipal fleet vehicles
Establish goals for fleet electrification
Electrify medium- and heavy-duty fleets
EXPANDING CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE
Conduct a zoning review to identify EV barriers
Establish a best practice-based permitting system
Update zoning ordinance
Identify locations for charging infrastructure placement
Adopt an EV-ready ordinance or similar incentive
programs
Contract, procure, and/or install a public charger
Acknowledgements
The Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition would like to thank the WLGCC members
who participated in focus groups and reviewed the draft playbook during spring and summer
2025.
The playbook was developed by the Great Plains Institute. This project has been funded in
part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement XA-
00E03850 to WLGCC. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and
policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does the Environmental Protection
Agency endorse trade names or recommend the use of commercial products mentioned in
this document, as well as any images, video, text, or other content created by generative
artificial intelligence tools, nor does any such content necessarily reflect the views and policies
of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Definitions
The following definitions are sourced from the Great Plains Institute’s Electric Vehicle Glossary
and Drive Electric Minnesota.
Electric vehicle (EV): A vehicle that is at least partially powered by one or more electric motors
using electricity stored in rechargeable batteries.
Battery electric vehicle (BEV): An electric vehicle (EV) that operates entirely on electricity
stored in its onboard battery pack. BEVs do not have an internal combustion engine and
produce zero tailpipe emissions.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV): A type of hybrid EV that combines an internal
combustion engine with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery. PHEVs can operate in
all-electric mode for a certain range before switching to the combustion engine or hybrid
mode.
Zero-emission vehicle (ZEV): A vehicle that produces no tailpipe emissions of pollutants
during operation. Emissions may still occur in other phases of the vehicle’s lifecycle. Examples
include BEVs and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Charging Levels
Level 1 charging: Charging a vehicle at “Level 1” means plugging into a standard 120-volt
outlet (a typical household electrical outlet).
Level 2 charging: Charging a vehicle at “Level 2” means plugging into a 240-volt outlet (the
same kind that powers appliances like dryers). On average, Level 2 stations provide 10 to 50
miles of range per hour the vehicle is connected.
Direct current fast charger (also DC fast charger, DCFC, or Level 3 charger): A high-speed
public charger for EVs designed to significantly reduce the time it takes to replenish an EV’s
battery. While fast charging is convenient for quickly adding range, it can lead to faster battery
degradation over time compared to using Level 1 and 2 chargers.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 1
Playbook Structure .................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Playbook Purpose ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2
STRATEGIC CATEGORY 1: PLANNING FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES .................................................... 5
1.1.1 Start Here: Create a community-wide EV vision, goals, and strategies ....................................... 5
1.2.1 Ramping Up: Address EVs in planning documents ................................................................................ 6
1.3.1 Full Speed Ahead: Develop an EV roadmap ................................................................................................. 7
STRATEGIC CATEGORY 2: UTILITY ENGAGEMENT .............................................................................. 11
2.1.1 Start Here: Discuss EV collaboration opportunities with the electricity provider ............... 11
2.1.2 Start Here: Promote existing utility EV programs ................................................................................. 12
2.2.1 Ramping Up: Work with the electric utility on the service connection process ................ 13
2.2.2 Ramping Up: Work with the electric utility to support private fleet electrification ....... 14
2.3.1 Full Speed Ahead: Collaborate with the electric utility to create new EV programs and
rates, including managed charging initiatives ..................................................................................................... 15
STRATEGIC CATEGORY 3: MUNICIPAL FLEET ELECTRIFICATION ................................................. 17
3.1.1 Start Here: Conduct a fleet analysis .................................................................................................................. 17
3.1.2 Start Here: Give fleet operators the opportunity to test drive EVs .............................................. 19
3.2.1 Ramping Up: Develop an EV preference policy for municipal fleets ......................................... 21
3.2.2 Ramping Up: Electrify at least one light-duty vehicle ........................................................................ 22
3.2.3 Ramping Up: Conduct an analysis of fleet charging needs ........................................................... 24
3.2.4 Ramping Up: Train relevant staff on EV use and maintenance .................................................. 26
3.2.5 Ramping Up: Install charging infrastructure for municipal fleet vehicles ............................ 27
3.2.6 Ramping Up: Establish goals for fleet electrification .......................................................................... 30
3.3.1 Full Speed Ahead: Electrify medium- and heavy-duty fleets ........................................................ 32
STRATEGIC CATEGORY 4: EXPANDING CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE .................................... 35
4.1.1 Start Here: Conduct a zoning review to identify EV barriers .......................................................... 35
4.1.2 Start Here: Establish a best practice-based permitting system .................................................. 36
4.2.1 Ramping Up: Update to zoning ordinance ................................................................................................ 37
4.2.2 Ramping Up: Identify locations for charging infrastructure placement ............................... 38
4.3.1 Full Speed Ahead: Adopt an EV-ready ordinance or similar incentive programs .......... 40
4.3.2 Full Speed Ahead: Contract, procure, and/or install a public charger ................................... 43
1
Introduction
This playbook is intended to help Wisconsin local governments advance through their
transportation electrification journey by providing step-by-step guidance on high-
impact actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by supporting electric vehicle
(EV) adoption and expanding charging infrastructure. The playbook is informed by
interviews, focus groups, and other input from Wisconsin Local Government Climate
Coalition members.
Playbook Structure
Actions within this playbook are divided into four strategic categories:
• Strategic Category 1: Planning for EVs
• Strategic Category 2: Engaging with utilities on EVs
• Strategic Category 3: Municipal fleet electrification
• Strategic Category 4: Expanding EV charging infrastructure
Within each category, specific actions are further organized into the following
subsections:
Start Here: Actions within this subsection are suitable for communities
beginning their electrification journey and can typically be accomplished with
minimal capacity and resources. These actions are often the first steps that lay
the foundation for subsequent actions.
Ramping Up: These actions include more advanced steps that communities
can take to facilitate EV adoption and expand charging infrastructure. They
may require more time and resources.
Full Speed Ahead: These actions represent advanced tasks that communities
should consider after a solid foundation has been laid, and the community is
prepared to advance to cutting-edge transportation electrification efforts.
The playbook also provides real-world community examples of implementation and
success, cost considerations, action-specific resources and assistance, as well as
additional implementation considerations such as staff time required, department
roles, county roles, and partners. Furthermore, implementation considerations are
categorized using the notations minimal, moderate, and significant to indicate the
amount of time, effort, or resources that may be expended to complete the action.
2
Playbook Purpose
While this playbook takes a broad view of the various strategies local governments
can pursue to support transportation electrification, it is not intended to be
comprehensive. The strategies highlighted in this playbook are actions that WLGCC
members identified as being particularly useful, actions that would benefit from
additional expert guidance, and actions that are highest impact in terms of emissions
reduction. Other topics, like engaging and educating the public on sustainable
transportation, are not the focus of this resource. There are many other free resources
available on these topics from programs like Charging Smart.
WHY FOCUS ON TRANSPORTATION ELECTRIFICATION?
The transportation sector is one of the leading sources of emissions at both the
national level and within Wisconsin.1,2 In the United States, transportation contributes
more direct emissions than any other sector, and in Wisconsin, it accounted for nearly
one-third of statewide GHG emissions in 2018.3 Emissions from transportation have a
direct negative impact on public health, the climate, and the economy, making the
decarbonization of the transportation sector an increasingly high priority for many
communities.
Addressing the environmental impact of the transportation sector will require a
multitude of complementary solutions. One such strategy that communities are
increasingly pursuing is transportation electrification. More specifically, local
governments are increasingly taking action to facilitate and support the transition
from gas-powered cars to EVs. Reflecting this growing trend, many Wisconsin
communities have expressed interest in tools and resources that can help them
better understand what actions they can take to facilitate this transition.
While a mass transition to EVs on its own won’t fully mitigate the transportation
sector’s environmental impact, it is a necessary first step, and one that can benefit
communities in a variety of ways in both the short and long term. As electrified
transportation becomes more prevalent and accessible, transitioning to EVs
represents perhaps the most direct and feasible option for rapidly reducing emissions.
1 “Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions,” Environmental Protection Agency, accessed September 10,
2025, https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions.
2 “Wisconsin Emission Reduction Roadmap,” EPA, Wisconsin Department of Administration Office of
Sustainability and Clean Energy, accessed September 10, 2025,
https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-03/wi-emission-reduction-roadmap.pdf.
3 “Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions,” 15.
3
EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, and despite being resource-intensive to
manufacture, over the course of their useful lifespan, EVs emit approximately 110
grams of CO2 per mile driven compared to 410 grams per mile for new internal
combustion engine cars.4 EVs have the highest potential to reduce emissions when
the electricity used to power them is generated from renewable sources. However,
recent research suggests that EVs still produce significantly less CO2 than traditional
vehicles, even when the electricity is generated by fossil fuels.5
Increased adoption of electric transportation also provides public health benefits by
improving air quality and reducing noise pollution. Increased transportation
electrification also provides opportunities for economic development by creating new
jobs related to EVs and attracting EV-driving visitors to communities and businesses
that have invested in charging infrastructure. Transitioning to EVs is also increasingly
feasible from a price perspective, as new models are cost-competitive with traditional
vehicles.
CHARGING SMART
Much of the content and information within this playbook is
adapted from the technical assistance and designation program
Charging Smart, of which the Great Plains Institute (GPI) is a lead
partner. Charging Smart is a program funded by the US
Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) that
offers free technical assistance to local governments, giving them
the tools to facilitate and accelerate transportation electrification in a way that
ensures its benefits are accessible to all. Participants work toward achieving Bronze,
Silver, or Gold designation – with each subsequent designation level signifying
increasingly advanced actions. Achieving Charging Smart designation demonstrates
that a community has taken steps to become EV-friendly. This playbook contains
callout boxes – designated by the hexagonal EV charger icon – that indicate how
certain actions can support Charging Smart designation. More information on
Charging Smart and details on how to participate can be found here.
4 River James, “Carbon Footprint Face-Off: A Full Picture of EVs vs. Gas Cars,” Recurrent Auto, January
20, 2025, https://www.recurrentauto.com/research/just-how-dirty-is-your-ev.
5 Emmy Curtis, Gabrielle Olson, M. Moaz Uddin, “Lifecycle Emissions Study: EVs vs. Conventional
Vehicles,” Great Plains Institute, April 28, 2025, https://betterenergy.org/electric-vehicle-lifecycle-
analysis/.
4
2023 WISCONSIN ACT 121
Wisconsin communities seeking to support and promote transportation
electrification will need to ensure that any actions taken are in alignment with
Wisconsin Act 121, a 2023 piece of legislation that influences the deployment and
operations of EV charging infrastructure in the state. Act 121 establishes new standards
and requirements regarding government ownership and operations of EV charging
stations and prevents local governments from requiring developers to provide EV
chargers as a condition of building permit approval. Additionally, Act 121 creates a new
excise tax on electricity delivered through certain EV chargers owned, managed, or
leased by businesses, governmental units, and non-profit organizations.
In GPI’s role as technical assistance provider to Wisconsin for the Charging Smart
program, we have conducted an in-depth review of Act 121 to better help Wisconsin
communities understand and navigate its requirements. Key considerations from this
research are included throughout this playbook in relevant sections. Information on
Act 121 within this playbook should not be taken as legal advice. We recommend that
communities consult with their legal counsel to ensure that actions are aligned with
and permissible under Act 121 and any other relevant regulations.
5
Strategic Category 1: Planning for Electric Vehicles
1.1.1 Start Here: Create a community-wide EV vision, goals, and
strategies
An EV vision statement expresses a community’s goals relating to transportation
electrification and serves as a point of reference for EV planning and policy. EV vision
statements should be developed in collaboration with residents and should be
aligned with state or local goals related to electrification or emissions reduction.
Ultimately, an EV vision statement should indicate to both residents and the private
sector the community’s intentions to support transportation electrification.
An EV vision should be used to develop EV goals and strategies, as well as an
implementation plan. Communities may choose to develop EV vision statements,
goals, and strategies as a part of broader planning processes, such as the
development of a climate action or sustainability plan. EV vision statements can also
be developed in tandem with an EV roadmap – a functional plan that outlines the
community’s approach to seeing the EV vision come to fruition.
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
City of Eau Claire, WI: As a
component of their Electric Vehicle
Roadmap, the City of Eau Claire
created an EV vision and EV-specific
goal, which directly informs the
strategies and implementation plan
outlined in their roadmap.
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
Community EV Vision Worksheet: This resource, developed by GPI, includes examples
of EV vision statement language, guidance on crafting messaging, and guiding
questions to help communities develop their own EV vision statement.
EV Registrations by Wisconsin County: This resource from Wisconsin Clean Cities
provides information on the level of EV adoption by county within Wisconsin under
the subsection “EV technology is gaining popularity in Wisconsin.” The associated
maps display high-level trends in EV adoption by county from 2017 to 2024.
PlugShare EV Charging Station Map: Use this resource to find publicly available EV
charging stations in your community.
Xcel Energy Planning Process EV Toolkit: Xcel Energy’s Planning Process EV Toolkit
provides communities with step-by-step guidance on planning for transportation
electrification, including how to develop a community vision for EVs (pg. 5). This
“The City of Eau Claire will lead and stimulate
the community and regional non-carbon
transportation evolution through practical and
cost-effective strategies that … will help meet the
goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 for the benefit
of current and future generations.
EV Goal: In 2030, at least 10% of all vehicle miles
traveled in Eau Claire will be by electric vehicles.”
6
resource also includes stakeholder recruitment letter templates and sample agendas
for the stakeholder engagement process.
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Moderate
Staff Time The total amount of staff time and capacity required will depend
on how community members and stakeholders are engaged.
Departments
Involved Planning, sustainability, public works, economic development
County Role Counties may choose to develop their own EV vision statements
or support cities and towns in developing theirs.
Partners
Residents, community organizations, businesses, property owners,
electric utilities, metropolitan planning organizations, regional
planning commissions, Tribal nations
1.2.1 Ramping Up: Address EVs in planning documents
Incorporating EV goals, strategies, and timelines into
planning documents is a key step in turning a
community’s EV vision into reality. EV goals and
strategies can be included in a variety of potential
documents, such as comprehensive plans,
transportation plans, sustainability plans, or climate
action plans. When addressing EVs in planning
documents, it is important to consider how plans and
initiatives can support one another, including how a
community’s EV vision interacts with electrification efforts and sustainability
initiatives at the regional or state level.
The following are best practices when addressing EVs in planning documents:
• Goals and strategies should relate directly to the community EV vision
• Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based
(SMART)
• Indicate which departments are responsible for actions
• Promote community benefits associated with increased EV adoption
• Implement systems for tracking progress toward EV goals
Addressing EVs in either a
functional or comprehensive
plan is required to achieve
Gold designation within the
Charging Smart program.
7
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
Dane County, WI: Electrifying transportation is a key recommendation of the 2020
Dane County Climate Action Plan (pg. 94 – 97). Within this plan, Dane County
acknowledges the current state of EV adoption in the county and highlights the
benefits that widespread adoption of EVs can provide to community members. Dane
County also identifies recommended actions to support EV adoption and the entities
responsible for these actions within the following priority categories: Municipal
Transportation Electrification, Improve and Expand EV Charging Infrastructure, and
EV Education and Outreach.
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
Electric Vehicle Planning Language: This GPI resource provides real-world examples
of how communities have incorporated EV goals and strategies into various planning
documents. Additionally, this guide provides an overview of establishing SMART goals
and strategies.
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Minimal to Moderate
Staff Time
Addressing EVs in planning documents should only increase the
amount of time and capacity required by a minimal to moderate
amount.
Departments
Involved
Economic development, public health, public works,
sustainability, planning
County Role
Counties may lead this process for county planning documents.
Counties can also play a supporting role, helping align
community-level EV plans and initiatives with regional goals.
Partners
Community organizations, businesses, property owners, electric
utilities, metropolitan planning organizations, regional planning
commissions, Tribal nations
1.3.1 Full Speed Ahead: Develop an EV roadmap
Developing an EV-specific plan that outlines goals and strategies relating to EV
adoption and charging infrastructure will help guide community action and support
electrification. Often titled an EV roadmap, this document should include goals and
strategies related to charging infrastructure deployment, collaboration with public
utilities, the conversion of municipal fleets to EVs, and programs to facilitate EV
adoption. Goals and strategies outlined in an EV roadmap should be informed by a
community’s EV vision statement and aligned with other community plans.
8
Communities will often undertake the development of an EV vision statement and an
EV roadmap simultaneously as a singular process, allowing for engagement with
stakeholders to inform both.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDANCE
1. Identify and engage stakeholders: Potential stakeholders may include
utilities, business owners, property owners, developers, renters, municipal staff,
elected officials, and community organizations. The best engagement
strategies will differ by community, but may include focus groups, surveys,
town hall meetings, and online engagement.
2. Determine current community EV baseline as a point of reference: Helpful
baseline statistics may include the number of registered EVs, the percentage
of vehicles that are EVs, the number of publicly available EV charging stations,
the share of municipal fleet vehicles that are electric, and estimated GHG
emissions from the transportation sector.
3. Develop EV Vision: Work with stakeholders to develop a vision for the future
of EVs within your community. A high-quality vision statement should provide
a clear picture of community goals, the core community values that will be
addressed, and what success will ultimately look like. Some communities may
have chosen to develop an EV vision prior to creating an EV roadmap (see
Create a Community-Wide EV Vision). These communities may take this
opportunity to evaluate their vision and update it as needed.
4. Identify priority areas for action: Priority areas may include (but are not
limited to) accelerating EV adoption by residents, expanding charging
infrastructure, electrifying municipal fleets, and increasing equitable access to
electrified transportation.
5. Develop strategies for achieving vision and goals: After determining
community priorities, develop strategies to achieve the goals identified in the
EV vision. These strategies should take the form of statements that indicate the
specific action the community will take.
6. Develop an implementation plan: Implementation plans should outline
action steps that the community will take to carry out the identified strategies.
These plans should identify actions and behaviors to encourage the benefits of
those actions, and metrics to track progress toward community goals.
Implementation plans should also include potential outreach channels, the
departments responsible for actions, required resources, and a timeline for
implementation.
7. Finalize and adopt EV roadmap: Once drafted, stakeholders and decision
makers should review and provide feedback on the current roadmap. After a
period for review and revisions, the EV roadmap should be finalized, adopted,
and published.
9
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
City of Eau Claire, WI: In 2019, the City of Eau Claire adopted a Community Electric
Vehicle Roadmap. This document, which was developed by city staff and key
stakeholders, “provides a detailed plan to demonstrate, lead, and support the
community’s transition to non-carbon transportation.” A sub-plan of Eau Claire’s
Renewable Energy action plan, the EV roadmap outlines key community priorities,
establishes tangible targets related to electrification, and identifies the city
departments responsible for specific actions. Additionally, this roadmap provides
general information on EVs, presents an analysis of the current EV landscape within
the community, and establishes Eau Claire’s EV vision statement and goals.
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
EV Registrations by Wisconsin County: This resource from Wisconsin Clean Cities
provides information on the level of EV adoption by county within Wisconsin under
the subsection “EV technology is gaining popularity in Wisconsin.” The associated
maps display high-level trends in EV adoption, by county, from 2017 to 2024.
PlugShare EV Charging Station Map: Use this resource, from PlugShare, to find
publicly available EV charging stations in your community.
Xcel Energy Planning Process EV Toolkit: Xcel Energy’s Planning Process EV Toolkit
provides communities with step-by-step guidance on planning for transportation
electrification and developing an EV roadmap. This resource also includes stakeholder
recruitment letter templates and sample agendas for the stakeholder engagement
process.
10
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Moderate to Significant
Staff Time
Developing an EV roadmap in-house will require a significant
amount of dedicated staff time. Local governments can gain
insight on the amount of time and resources needed by reflecting
on previous planning processes.
Departments
Involved
Economic development, planning, public health, public works,
sustainability
County Role
Counties may lead this process for a county-wide EV roadmap.
Counties can also play a supporting role, connecting
communities to one another so that individual EV roadmaps are
informed by regional trends, goals, and initiatives.
Partners
Residents, community organizations, businesses, property
owners, property developers, electric utilities, metropolitan
planning organizations, regional planning commissions, Tribal
nations
11
Strategic Category 2: Utility Engagement
2.1.1 Start Here: Discuss EV collaboration opportunities with the
electricity provider
As an important early action, local governments should
meet with their electric utility to discuss opportunities
to collaborate on topics related to transportation
electrification. Topics may include the siting of EV
chargers, grid capacity, managed charging, utility
incentives, and collaboration opportunities for
educational campaigns and events. Local
governments should also engage their electric utility
as early as possible to coordinate the community’s
development plans and EV adoption goals with energy
generation and grid capability, recognizing that increased adoption of EVs may
necessitate grid upgrades.
It is recommended that communities use RMI’s GridUp: Accelerating Charging in
Communities (GUACC) tool or a similar tool to develop an estimate of future EV
charging demand, which can help to facilitate conversations with the utility and lay a
strong foundation for collaboration. In some locations, communities are served by
multiple electric utilities. In these instances, local governments should meet with each
utility to discuss EV programs and initiatives. See below for EV-related programs
offered by Wisconsin utilities.6
6 “Community Resources,” WPPI Energy, accessed September 10, 2025,
https://wppienergy.org/program-type/community/.
Meeting with utilities to
discuss EV collaboration
opportunities is required for
Bronze designation within
Charging Smart.
Residential EV Pilot Program
Business EV Pilot Program
Wisconsin Public Service
Charge@Home
Charge Ahead
Madison Gas and Electric
Smart Hours for EV Chargers
Alliant Energy
EV Technologies Initiative
WPPI Energies
Xcel Energy offers a variety of EV
charging programs and rebates to
meet customer needs.
Xcel Energy
Residential EV Pilot Program
Business EV Pilot Program
We Energies
12
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
eRoadMap: This mapping tool from EPRI allows users to estimate the energy needed
to electrify transportation at the local community level.
GridFAST: This tool from EPRI is designed to support EV infrastructure project
development by allowing customers and utilities to connect and communicate in a
more efficient way. It provides tailored advice from a utility advisor.
GridUp (GUACC) Tool: The GUACC tool from RMI allows communities to forecast when
and where demand for electricity associated with transportation electrification will
increase, which can help determine where investments in the electrical grid will be
needed to support future EV charging demand.
Local Government Roadmap to Engaging Utilities on Electric Vehicles: This resource,
developed by GPI, is a guide for communities when engaging with their electric utility
on EV programs and incentives.
2.1.2 Start Here: Promote existing utility EV programs
Promoting EV programs and rates that your electric utility offers can help educate
residents and commercial property owners about rebates, time of use rates, managed
charging, and other EV incentives. Communities should work with their utility to
ensure that educational materials are accessible to groups such as renters, non-
English speakers, and people living in multi-family housing to help ensure that the
transition to electrified transportation occurs equitably. Promotional and educational
activities could include adding information on utility EV programs to the municipal
website and newsletters, and co-hosting events like ride and drives.
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
City of Milwaukee, WI: The city promotes both We Energies EV pilot programs, one
for residential EV chargers and one for commercial EV chargers. More information can
be found directly on their EV landing page on the municipal website.
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
Alliant Energy Smart Hours for EV Chargers: The Smart Hours for EV Chargers
program from Alliant Energy provides customers with a discount on the purchase of
a qualified EV charger. In exchange, residents have their energy use automatically
reduced during ‘Smart Hours’ events, which are times when energy demand is
highest.
Find EV Charger Utility Partners: This database, created by the US Department of
Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, helps communities
identify what incentive programs electric utilities offer in Wisconsin.
13
Madison Gas and Electric EV Programs: Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) offers several
programs for EV owners, including zero-up-front cost installation of Level 2 EV
chargers as well as managed charging rewards programs and time of use rates.
Ride and Drive Checklist: This resource from Drive Electric Minnesota provides step-
by-step guidance for planning and conducting a successful Ride and Drive event.
We Energies Residential EV Pilot Program: We Energies offers EV owners credits for
charging during off-peak hours, which can then be used to lower electricity bills.
WPS Electric Vehicles Pilot Program for EV Charging: Residents and businesses
enrolled in WPS’s EV program can receive credits for charging during off-peak hours,
which can then be used to lower total electricity bills.
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Minimal
Staff Time
Including information on EV programs and rates offered by the
utility in already established communications channels should
require minimal time and effort. Additional staff time may be
needed if communities are actively creating new materials and
resources, or if new outreach channels are being established.
Departments
Involved Sustainability, planning
County Role
Counties may take the lead on this action, or they may act as a
coordinator or facilitator, bringing multiple communities with
similar goals to the table to collaborate with the electric utility.
Partners Property owners, electric utilities, metropolitan planning
organizations, regional planning commissions
2.2.1 Ramping Up: Work with the electric utility on the service
connection process
In tandem with the electric utility, communities should create a guide on how to
connect EV chargers to the grid with the goal of making the process as transparent
and streamlined as possible. By providing this information and making it publicly
accessible, communities and utilities can streamline relevant permitting and
inspection processes and reduce barriers to deploying EV infrastructure.
Communities and utilities should also consider developing maps that display current
electrical capacity throughout the community to help with the deployment of EV
chargers.
14
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
Dane County, WI: Charge Up Dane County is a $13.2 million initiative to expand
charging infrastructure across the county. A core component of the program is the
partnership with electric utilities, including MGE, Alliant Energy, and WPPI, to deploy
EV chargers.
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
Utility engagement slide deck: This presentation, given by Green Ways 2Go, provides
examples of processes for connecting charging infrastructure to the grid, with an
emphasis on making sure the grid can support future EV infrastructure. It could help
inform the conversation with the electric utility or provide inspiration for
documenting the required processes.
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Minimal to Moderate
Staff Time
This action will be a semi-moderate lift for communities. It may
require multiple meetings with the electric utility, time dedicated
to reviewing and revising processes, and collecting feedback from
community members and stakeholders.
Departments
Involved Sustainability, planning
County Role
Counties may take the lead on this action, or they may act as a
coordinator or facilitator, bringing multiple communities with
similar goals to the table to collaborate with the electric utility.
Partners
Businesses, property owners, neighboring communities, electric
utilities, county, metropolitan planning organizations, regional
planning commissions, Tribal nations
2.2.2 Ramping Up: Work with the electric utility to support private
fleet electrification
Local governments can support the electrification of private fleets by facilitating
coordination between private entities and the local electric utility. This will support
private fleet owners by ensuring the process of electrifying their fleet and installing
charging infrastructure is streamlined, and will support the local electric utility by
allowing them to adequately plan for any upgrades to the grid that will be required.
Local governments may also consider working with their electric utility to develop
15
incentives specially targeted at increasing private fleet electrification, such as rebates
and tax credits to reduce the cost of procuring EVs and their associated infrastructure.
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Minimal to Moderate
Staff Time
Connecting entities seeking to electrify their fleets with the local
electric utility will require minimal time and effort. Additional
capacity may be required if the local government chooses to work
with the electric utility provider to develop new programs.
Departments
Involved Sustainability, planning
County Role
Counties can also work to connect entities seeking to electrify
their private fleets, acting as a central point for coordinating
between with the electric utility and the interested group.
Partners Businesses, property owners, chambers of commerce, electric
utilities, Tribal nations
2.3.1 Full Speed Ahead: Collaborate with the electric utility to create
new EV programs and rates, including managed charging
initiatives
Municipalities can work with their electric utility to develop and promote EV
programs, incentives, and rates. These EV charging programs may include time of use
rates, EV and EV charger rebates, and make-ready programs. As a best practice,
communities should discuss with their electric utility how to best address and/or
alleviate demand charges for EV charging infrastructure, which can slow the
deployment of EV chargers due to the significant increase in the cost of operations.
Communities can also collaborate with their utility to develop managed charging
programs and incentives. Managed charging, which automatically adjusts EV
charging based on current electricity demand, can improve grid efficiency and
resilience while simultaneously reducing charging costs for EV owners.
Due to the wide range of utility types that serve Wisconsin communities, the degree
to which a local government can influence and collaborate with its electricity
providers will vary. However, coalitions such as WLGCC may present opportunities for
multiple communities served by the same utility to join together to advocate for new
EV programs.
16
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
We Energies Residential EV Pilot Program: We Energies offers EV owners credits for
charging their vehicle during off-peak hours, which can then be used to lower
residential electricity bills.
Madison Gas and Electric: MGE offers several programs for EV owners, including zero-
up-front cost installation of level 2 EV chargers, as well as managed charging rewards
programs and time-of-use rates.
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
Managed Charging Programs: Maximizing Customer Satisfaction and Grid Benefits:
This resource from the Smart Electric Power Alliance discusses how managed
charging and load management programs can be successful and explores customer
engagement techniques to ensure program uptake.
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Moderate to Significant
Staff Time
For communities served by electric utilities that already have EV-
specific programs, this action will likely require less staff time and
capacity. However, the degree of difficulty and amount of staff
time required will increase if these programs need to be
developed from scratch.
Departments
Involved Sustainability, planning
County Role
Counties may take the lead on this action, or they may act as a
coordinator or facilitator, bringing multiple communities with
similar goals to the table to collaborate with the electric utility.
Partners Businesses, property owners, neighboring communities, county,
electric utilities, Tribal nation
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Strategic Category 3: Municipal Fleet Electrification
3.1.1 Start Here: Conduct a fleet analysis
Completing a fleet analysis can help municipalities
better understand the unique needs of their fleet
vehicles and identify electrification opportunities that
would have the greatest impact on emissions
reductions and cost savings. Consider assessing factors
such as make and model of vehicles, annual miles
traveled, and vehicle age. The list below details different
levels of fleet analysis that communities can undergo
based on municipal fleet size and desired outcomes.
1. Cursory level. For communities that only have a handful of fleet vehicles, a full-
blown fleet analysis might not be necessary. Instead, a brief, cursory review of
municipal fleet vehicles and their driving habits may be sufficient. A study of
completed municipal fleet analyses found that high-mileage vehicles, vehicles
that make lots of shorter trips, and vehicles with high idle time make good
candidates for electrification. These can be good guiding principles for starting
to consider electrification.
2. Initial analysis. For a more formalized but low-lift analysis, the Electrification
Coalition’s Dashboard for Rapid Vehicle Electrification (DRVE) tool is a great
option for communities. The DRVE tool can be downloaded for free on the
Electrification Coalition’s website and only requires users to input vehicle VIN
numbers, annual mileage, and years of service. The DRVE User Guide provides
a comprehensive walkthrough of the tool and additional resources.
3. Comprehensive analysis. A comprehensive fleet analysis evaluates the options
for electrifying municipal fleet vehicles, considers the charging needs for the
electrified fleet, and plans for future EV purchases. Additionally, a
comprehensive analysis may assess additional factors such as use cases, duty
cycles, route lengths, average vehicle miles traveled, and/or parking locations.
Some communities choose to engage with a third party to complete the
comprehensive analysis, while others choose to use tools like DRVE and
supplement the findings with other analysis tools like the Atlas Public Policy EV
Hub’s Fleet Procurement Analysis Tool.
4. Right-sizing. Right-sizing – or consolidating fleets to eliminate unnecessary
vehicles - can be a cost saving measure while also supporting sustainability
goals. When completing any of the above fleet analyses, consider, in addition
to electrification opportunities, how the municipal fleet may be right-sized.
Geotab’s “How to rightsize your fleet in five simple steps” is a helpful resource.
An initial fleet analysis is
required for Silver designation,
while a comprehensive fleet
analysis is required for Gold
designation within Charging
Smart.
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COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
Milwaukee County, WI: In partnership with Wisconsin Clean Cities and the Wisconsin
Office of Energy Innovation, the county completed a fleet analysis of its passenger
vehicles, squad cars, and passenger and cargo vans.
City of Mequon, WI: The city issued a request for proposals to undertake a fleet
analysis.
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
Dashboard for Rapid Vehicle Electrification (DRVE) tool: This tool, developed by the
Electrification Coalition, analyzes light-, medium-, and heavy-duty fleet vehicles by
evaluating the total cost of ownership. It asks users to input three data points for
each vehicle in their fleet: vehicle identification number, annual mileage, and years
of use.
Wisconsin Smart Fleet: Wisconsin Clean Cities can help its members analyze fleets
by gathering required data from fleet managers, analyzing fleet needs and
conditions, and producing recommendations and ratings.
METRICS AND DATA
When preparing to undergo a fleet analysis, data and metrics that could be gathered
include:
• Number of fleet vehicles categorized by light-, medium-, and heavy-duty
• Vehicle identification numbers for each vehicle
• Annual miles driven for each vehicle
• Age of each vehicle
Fleet analyses can help municipalities understand metrics like:
• Potential cost savings from fleet electrification
• Potential emission reductions of fleet electrification
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ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Minimal to Moderate
Staff Time
The staff time required and barrier to implementation will largely
depend on the city’s level of fleet analysis as well as the size and
makeup of the fleet.
Departments
Involved
Fleet manager or department heads who manage fleet vehicles,
police department
County Role Counties can conduct assessments of their own fleet vehicles or
help cities and towns take this action.
Partners Wisconsin Clean Cities, Electrification Coalition, electric utilities,
third party vendors
3.1.2 Start Here: Give fleet operators the opportunity to test drive
EVs
Provide municipal staff, especially those who manage and/or operate fleet vehicles,
with opportunities to learn about EVs and charging infrastructure, including chances
to test drive EVs. Education paired with hands-on experiences can build support
internally and dispel any misgivings municipal staff have about vehicle electrification.
Providing this opportunity could be achieved in a variety of ways:
• Hosting a community-wide ride and drive where municipal staff and fleet
operators are invited to participate.
• Hosting a test drive event specifically for municipal staff and/or fleet operators.
• Hosting a ride and drive event in collaboration with neighboring local
governments, the county, or other regional groups for all involved entities’ staff
and fleet operators.
• Asking the local electric utility or local dealership to give a demonstration to
municipal staff and fleet operators about electric vehicles.
• Taking a field trip to a neighboring municipality to talk with their staff and/or
fleet operators about their electric vehicles.
Invite your utility providers to co-host the event, to showcase their EVs (if applicable),
or have a table at your event where they provide information about available EV
programs and rebates they offer.
20
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
Dane County, WI: The county has held two events for municipal fleet managers to
experience and learn more about EVs and other fuel alternatives. One event, called
Mechanics Talk Shop, allowed the county and the City of Madison’s fleet personnel to
hear more about each other’s electrification experiences, and mechanics conferred
about maintenance of EVs.
Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG): SEMCOG held a large
event, called Plug Into EV Fleet Expo Ride & Drive, featuring EVs commonly used in
community fleets. Attendees included representatives from local school districts,
community colleges, local government staff, fleet managers, and others.
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
EV Basics Fact Sheet: This helpful resource, developed by Renew Wisconsin, could be
used as a handout at events or provided to staff to begin learning more about EVs and
charging infrastructure.
Ride and Drive Toolkit: This toolkit from Drive Electric Minnesota outlines the steps for
hosting a ride and drive event in your community, including a step-by-step checklist,
resources to hand out, logistics sheets, and a social media guide for promoting the
event.
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Moderate to Significant
Staff Time
The staff time required for implementation will depend on the
type of event a community hosts. A community-wide ride and
drive will require significantly more staff time, preparation, and
coordination than a test drive specifically for fleet operators.
Departments
Involved Fleet manager, communications, sustainability, public works
County Role
Counties can provide opportunities for county fleet managers and
operators to test drive EVs and act as coordinators or facilitators
for multi-community test drive events.
Partners
EV owner groups (often organized on Facebook), community
organizations, local dealerships, Wisconsin Clean Cities, chambers
of commerce, local universities or colleges, neighboring
communities, electric utilities, county, metropolitan planning
organizations, regional planning commissions
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3.2.1 Ramping Up: Develop an EV preference policy for municipal
fleets
Adopting a formal policy prioritizing purchasing electric vehicles for the municipal
fleet can simultaneously reduce the GHG emissions of the local transportation sector
and signal to private sector entities and residents your community’s commitment to
electrification. These policies can officially establish a preference for procuring EVs or
other low-to-zero-emission vehicles when expanding the municipal fleet or replacing
fleet vehicles—with exceptions permitted when it is determined that there are no
electric options that meet specific needs.
Conducting a fleet analysis can help a community better understand its unique fleet
needs and is a critical step in developing an EV preference policy. Additionally, local
governments and their staff charged with carrying out the policy may benefit from
creating an implementation plan and/or training for how to implement the policy.
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
City of Middleton, WI: In 2025, the City of
Middleton adopted a Sustainable
Procurement Policy and Implementation
Plan. In the linked webinar recording, city
representatives provide an in-depth look at
the process for creating the policy and plan.
City of Milwaukee, WI: In 2023, the City of
Milwaukee passed an ordinance that
established an EV or zero-emissions vehicle
preference policy when it procures fleet
vehicles.
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
Developing a Green Fleet Policy: The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center
provides guidance, templates, and benefits for creating a green fleet policy.
Model Green Fleet Policy: This template, developed by the Clean Air Partnership,
provides various options for developing your own green fleet policy.
“It shall be city policy that purchasing
decisions reflect [the City’s] goal, and …
the purchase of low- and zero-emission
vehicles shall be prioritized to the
greatest extent practicable. The city will
lead by example ... which will encourage
individuals, businesses and other levels
of government to do the same.”
Excerpt from City of Milwaukee EV
Preference Policy
22
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Minimal to Moderate
Staff Time Modeling a preference policy based on existing similar policies can
reduce the staff time required.
Departments
Involved Fleet manager, department heads, sustainability
County Role
Counties can adopt a preference policy for county fleets and
encourage cities and towns to do the same by providing a model
policy or template.
Partners Wisconsin Clean Cities, Electrification Coalition, peer communities
with existing EV preference policies
3.2.2 Ramping Up: Electrify at least one
light-duty vehicle
When replacing fleet vehicles or expanding
municipal fleets, communities can prioritize opting
for electric vehicles whenever feasible. Light-duty
vehicles, which include compact cars, SUVs, and pick-
up trucks, are a good place to start. While municipal
light-duty fleet vehicles are usually purchased directly
from a vendor or dealership, leasing a vehicle from a
dealership is an alternative option.
Before purchasing or leasing an EV, consider how and where the vehicle will be
charged. This flowchart, developed by Drive Electric Minnesota, could help decide
what charger type to install based on the use case. Installing charging infrastructure
can have long lead times, so be mindful to account for this in your plans.
A light-duty EV purchase can be funded through:
• The municipality’s budget and capital improvement plan allocations, just as a
conventional vehicle would be budgeted for.
• State and federal rebates and incentives, as applicable.
• Bulk or cooperative purchasing opportunities, like the state procurement lists,
Drive EV Fleets, or other options.
• Electric utility rebates, incentives, or programs.
Fleets for the Future’s Guide to Financing Alternative Fuel Vehicle Procurement
(starting on page 4, with a summary table on pages 14 -15) has a more in-depth
Purchasing at least one
light-duty EV fleet vehicle
would satisfy one of the Gold
designation requirements
within Charging Smart.
23
breakdown of funding options. When budgeting, include considerations for charging
infrastructure needs for electric fleet vehicles.
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
City of Green Bay, WI: Green Bay aims to reduce fleet emissions by 15 percent by
2030. To achieve this goal, the city purchased two EVs for the police department. As
noted in an article published in the Green Bay Press Gazette, the chief of police found
purchasing and outfitting the two EVs comparable in price to the conventional gas
vehicle models that were previously used by the department.
City of Racine, WI: In its Ten-Year Capital Improvement Plan, the city accounted for
EVs, charging infrastructure, and other electric equipment. The easiest way to
navigate to these references is to press Control-F and search the document for
instances where the word “electric” appears.
Dane County, WI: The county’s goal to be carbon neutral in its facility, fleet, and land
operations by 2030 has spurred the transition to electric light-duty fleet vehicles. In
2024, Public Works and Land and Water Resources bought six new EVs to join the
seven EVs purchased in 2023. Among other methods, the county utilized EV tax
credits to offset the cost of the vehicles. Kathy Kuntz, Director of the Office of Energy
and Climate Change, did an interview with public works staff to help demystify the
process for other counties or communities looking to make the transition themselves.
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
AFLEET Tool: Argonne National Laboratory’s tool that estimates GHG emissions and
cost of ownership for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles.
Drive EV Fleets: A cooperative purchasing initiative, organized by Sourcewell and the
Electrification Coalition, that accelerates transitioning fleets to electric vehicles via
reduced costs for buying EVs and their charging infrastructure.
EVInfoList: A spreadsheet maintained by Shift2Electric with a list of EVs currently on
the market, paired with specifications like base cost, range, charging speed, and
performance.
Fleet Procurement Analysis Tool: Atlas Public Policy developed this tool to inform
users about various procurement ownership structures, vehicle types, and scenarios
for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty fleet vehicles.
Fuel Savings Calculator: A calculator developed by the Great Plains Institute that
allows users to calculate the average fuel savings of switching to electric.
PlugStar: This resource, developed by Plug In America, is a platform that helps users
find available EV models. Users can either search through a catalog of vehicles or use
the shopping assistant function to filter based on the municipality’s needs.
24
COST
Kelley Blue Book states the average price of a new EV is approximately $56,000, but
lower-priced EVs like the Nissan Leaf start at around $29,000. EVs are increasingly
cost-competitive with gas-powered vehicles. Other ways to reduce costs are
participating in cooperative purchasing, like Drive EV Fleets, and utilizing rebates or
incentives provided by utilities or other entities.
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Moderate to Significant
Staff Time Time considerations include researching vehicle options,
procurement, and coordination with internal departments.
Departments
Involved Fleet manager, department heads, finance
County Role
Counties can purchase EVs for county fleets and support
municipalities by providing educational opportunities and
facilitating group buys.
Partners Dealerships, electric utilities, peer municipalities that have
electrified fleet vehicles
3.2.3 Ramping Up: Conduct an analysis of fleet charging needs
Alongside the initial fleet analysis, which emphasizes fleet vehicles, consider
completing a comprehensive analysis of fleet charging needs. Charging needs
analyses help inform budgetary requirements for installing charging infrastructure
and fleet electrification.
In a report called “How Cities and Counties Can Electrify Their Fleets”, RMI advises
planning now for both current charging needs and future charging infrastructure
expansion to support an expanding electric fleet. Planning for existing and future
needs can reduce long-term costs and future-proof municipal facilities, ensuring grid
capacity and infrastructure needs are met.
When completing the needs analysis, consider factors like:
• Where will the electric fleet vehicles be charged? Is it at one location or
multiple?
• How many fleet vehicles will be charged at each location?
• For each vehicle, determine:
o What time(s) of day do they need to be charged, and how fast do they
need to be charged? This flowchart, developed by Drive Electric
25
Minnesota, can help determine which charger is needed to fit a
particular vehicle’s needs.
o What is the route and route length of the vehicle?
o What is the vehicle’s duty cycle?
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
City of Green Bay, WI: Communities like Green Bay that have electrified fleet vehicles
have usually completed at least an informal assessment of charging needs. Reach out
to these communities to hear about their experiences and lessons learned.
City of San Luis Obispo, CA: While perhaps more in-depth than what most
communities would do, the city’s Fleet Electrification Charging Infrastructure Report
gives good insight into the factors a community may want to analyze when
completing a fleet charging needs assessment.
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
How-To Guide: Electric Vehicles and Fleet Electrification: This guide from the US
Department of Energy’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs provides a
checklist for factors to consider when completing an analysis of charging needs.
Information about siting planning and preliminary assessments starts on page 3.
ZEV Ready Step 10: Complete Site Assessment and Design EVSE: A step-by-step
resource from the US Department of Energy that provides information about
charging infrastructure needs, siting analysis, and other considerations.
METRICS AND DATA
Data points to consider when planning for charging include the number of current
and future vehicles, vehicle energy consumption patterns, route length, and vehicle
“on” time.
26
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Minimal to Moderate
Staff Time
The time required to analyze charging needs will depend on the
size of the fleet and its mix of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty
vehicles.
Departments
Involved Fleet managers, sustainability, public works
County Role
Counties that have or are looking to have electrified fleet vehicles
should conduct a charging needs analysis. Counties can also
support municipalities by providing educational opportunities,
technical assistance, and resources.
Partners EV vendors, local dealerships, electric utilities
3.2.4 Ramping Up: Train relevant staff on EV use and maintenance
Creating policies and protocols related to EVs and charging station usage ensures a
clear and transparent understanding of expectations for all parties involved. Training
staff on the policies, protocols, and best practices related to EVs and their charging
infrastructure aids the transition to electric vehicles.
Keeping a brief usage guide in the glove box of municipally owned EVs, explaining
procedures for charging the vehicle, information on vehicle battery range, and other
information to support the user can also be helpful.
Topics to discuss in training for EV and charging infrastructure usage:
• How to use the EV
• How to charge the EV
• Where and how to find charging stations
• Best practices for maintaining charging equipment
• Range considerations for the EV
• Charging rotation schedules
Additional training for fleet maintenance staff focused on understanding the best
methods for upkeep of the electric fleet can be helpful if fleet maintenance is
completed in-house.
27
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
City of Boston, MA: The city launched an EV train-the-trainer program, where city
fleet managers and local high school students can be trained in EV maintenance
through the Automotive Technology Program.
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
Fleet Management Videos and Training: The US Department of Energy released a
series of training videos to support fleet managers. Relevant videos include EV
Technology Overview and Driving Electric Vehicles.
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Minimal to Moderate
Staff Time
The primary lift to accomplish this action is allocating time for
training. Currently, a wide variety of free training courses exist,
covering a variety of EV subjects. Some EV fleet maintenance
courses have enrollment fees to participate.
Departments
Involved Fleet managers, fleet operators, staff who will use EVs
County Role
Counties may provide training and educational opportunities to
county employees who will use and maintain EVs. Counties may
also act as facilitators and conveners and organize larger training
sessions with staff members from multiple local governments.
Partners Auto dealerships, educational course providers, electric utilities
3.2.5 Ramping Up: Install charging infrastructure for municipal
fleet vehicles
Once the planning process for the fleet’s charging infrastructure needs is completed
(see 3.2.3 Conduct an analysis of fleet charging needs), the next step is to site and
install charging infrastructure for municipal fleet vehicle use. In the paper “How Cities
and Counties Can Electrify Their Fleets,” RMI breaks the process into two steps: design
and permitting, and construction and installation.
Design and permitting. When preparing a site for charging infrastructure,
understand the existing grid capacity and whether any upgrades will be needed to
support the planned infrastructure. Depending on the expected load and existing
infrastructure, sometimes an additional on-site transformer is needed. If grid
upgrades are needed, this can add additional costs and time to the project. Also
consider if and how the existence of EV chargers will impact traffic flows. When
28
designing charging station stalls, account for accessibility guidelines and safety
considerations (i.e., proper lighting in a well-traveled area). Finally, gather the required
permits and design approvals, if applicable. Coordinating and understanding the time
needed to obtain approvals from all stakeholders involved, such as the electric utility,
city facility staff, and any contractors involved, can help keep this process progressing
smoothly.
Construction and installation. This stage can vary depending on whether the
installation is happening as part of a larger construction project or if it is a stand-alone
retrofit, and the type of chargers and related infrastructure being installed (wall-
mounted or pedestal, laying conduit for future installations, etc.) During this phase, all
civil and electrical upgrades are made, and the charger will be installed and
connected to the electrical grid.
Municipally owned chargers and 2023 WI Act 121. Under Wisconsin Act 121, local
governments may own and operate Level 1 and Level 2 EV chargers that are intended
for either the general public, or for municipal fleet vehicles exclusively. Local
governments may also own and operate level 3 chargers, so long as they are reserved
for municipal fleet use only and not made available to the public.
Regardless of whether a charger is intended exclusively for municipal fleet use or is
open to the public, the newly implemented excise tax of $0.03 per kWh of electricity
delivered is required for Level 1 and Level 2 chargers installed after March 22, 2024, and
for all Level 3 chargers. Level 1 and Level 2 chargers installed prior to March 22, 2024
are exempt from the excise tax. See Figure 3 for additional information on permissible
EV charger ownership scenarios for local governments.
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
City of Sun Prairie, WI: In 2023, Sun Prairie installed Level 2 charging stations at City
Hall that are shared use between the public and the city’s municipal fleet vehicles. The
publicly available stations are free to use, with one station open 24/7 and the other
reserved at specific times for fleet use. In 2024, the city installed additional Level 2
stations that are reserved for municipal fleet use only.
City of Milwaukee, WI: As they have started to electrify the municipal fleet, the City
of Milwaukee has also been installing charging infrastructure to support electric fleet
vehicles. By the end of 2025, the city will have increased its charging ports to support
municipal fleet vehicles from one port to seventeen ports.
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
Complete Site Assessment and Design EVSE: The US Department of Energy’s
walkthrough provides information on identifying charging needs, charging site
analysis, managed charging options, and cost estimates.
29
EV Charging Station Placement for Employers: A slide deck created by Wisconsin
Clean Cities discussing EV infrastructure, planning for charging station installation,
regulatory and compliance requirements, and installation, operation, and
maintenance of chargers.
EVI-LOCATE: A tool from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that helps
assess EV charging station deployment and plan for infrastructure location and cost.
To access the tool, create a public user account. Currently, there are geographic
limitations to the tool. If your community is outside of the bounds of this tool, connect
with Wisconsin Clean Cities, and they can provide the analysis or connect you with an
entity that can.
COST
The Alternative Fuels Data Center explains that the costs of installing charging
infrastructure are influenced by various factors, including site location, charging level,
type of charger, related infrastructure needs, and construction costs. To help reduce
costs, check to see if your local electric utility offers rebates for commercial chargers,
which municipalities are often eligible for.
7 “Electric Vehicles for Fleets,” U.S Department of Energy, accessed September 10, 2025,
http://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric-fleets#project-planning.
FIGURE 1: ESTIMATED COSTS BY EV CHARGER LEVEL7
Equipment Installation
Level 1 $300 - $1,500 Up to $3,000
Level 2 $400 - $6,500 $600 - $12,700
DCFC $10,000 - $40,000 $4,000 - $51,000
30
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Moderate to Significant
Staff Time The siting and design process for EV charging stations will vary
based on local conditions and internal capacity.
Departments
Involved Sustainability, finance, public works
County Role
Counties can install EV chargers on county-owned property when
possible and coordinate the deployment of EV chargers by cities
and towns to ensure alignment with county and regional
electrification goals.
Partners Charging providers, electric utilities
3.2.6 Ramping Up: Establish goals for fleet electrification
The ultimate goal of this work is for transportation electrification to become the norm
for your community and for policies to be in place that allow for continuous fleet
electrification. Formally adopting a timeline and goals for fleet electrification is
another step in the process of making electrification the norm. Communities often
also set smaller, more intermediate goals to help keep them on track and accountable
to meet the larger, longer-term goal. For example, a community may set a goal to
electrify 100 percent of the light-duty fleet by 2050, with an intermediate goal of 50
percent of the light-duty fleet electrified by 2035.
As you work to set goals for fleet electrification, keep the following in mind:
1. Alignment with community-wide goals. Aligning fleet electrification goals
with other city-wide goals and initiatives, like GHG emission reduction goals,
can help determine the target date for full electrification.
2. Specificity is key. Clear timelines paired with specific fleet electrification goals
create accountability and allow progress to be tracked. For instance, a
community may set a goal to electrify 100 percent of the light-duty fleet by
2050, with an intermediary goal of 50 percent electrified by 2035.
3. Availability. While electrification is the end goal, it is important to acknowledge
that not all fleet vehicles have a viable electric alternative. In these instances,
alternative options, like other powertrain solutions or alternative fuels, can be
found to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by these vehicles.
However, EV technology is improving rapidly, and new options for light-,
medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles are becoming increasingly available.
31
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
City of Sun Prairie, WI: In 2024, the City of Sun Prairie passed a resolution to fully
electrify 50% of the light-duty fleet, with all other vehicles being hybrid or plug-in
hybrid electric by 2035. This resolution was made after Sun Prairie used the DRVE tool
to complete a total cost of ownership fleet analysis.
City of Fitchburg, WI: (pg. 20) The city’s sustainability plan outlines several fleet
electrification goals and sub-goals. The plan states:
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
Developing a Green Fleet Policy: The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center
provides guidance, templates, and benefits for creating a green fleet policy.
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Moderate
Staff Time
Establishing goals related to fleet electrification will require staff
time to determine realistic timelines. Once established, systems
should be implemented to regularly compare progress against
stated goals and adjust as needed.
Departments
Involved
Fleet managers, fleet operators, finance, planning, sustainability,
public works
County Role
Counties can set their own fleet electrification goals and/or
support communities within their jurisdiction in developing their
own goals.
Partners EV vendors, dealerships, electric utilities
Achieve 40% conversion of municipal operations gasoline vehicles and equipment within City
and municipal fleets to EV's by 2036. Achieve 100% conversion by 2048.
TL6-1: Conduct an Electric Vehicle Suitability Assessment (EVSA) for vehicle fleet
TL6-2: Require a proportion of non-emergency City fleet vehicles to be electric vehicles, or use
no/low carbon alternative fuels, based on the results of the EVSA (above). Update City vehicle
purchasing policy/budget process to default to alternative fuel with traditional internal
combustion engine (ICE) as optional requiring proof of need. Policy to take emissions/fuel
reductions into account when purchasing vehicles/equipment.
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3.3.1 Full Speed Ahead: Electrify medium- and heavy-duty fleets
As medium- and/or heavy-duty vehicles come up for replacement as a part of their
natural lifecycle, or in alignment with the
municipality’s goals, timelines, and fleet assessment,
they can be replaced with a comparable EV. With
medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles,
communities will need to determine whether there are
EVs that can adequately satisfy their specific needs.
The Zero-Emission Technology Inventory (ZETI) is a
helpful tool for understanding the EVs and fuel cell
options that are available on the market. While electric
options for medium- to heavy-duty vehicles are continuously expanding, some
municipal fleet vehicles might not currently have a viable electric option. In these
instances, other alternative fuel solutions can be used. The US Department of Energy’s
Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Search provides a good overview of the types
of alternative fuel (like electric, biodiesel, propane, etc.) options that exist. To purchase
a medium- or heavy-duty vehicle, most municipalities coordinate with a vendor to
place a custom order for the specific vehicle model.
Basic considerations when electrifying a medium- or heavy-duty fleet vehicle include:
1. Consider vehicle use case. Communities should determine what vehicle the
EV will be replacing, what its requirements are, and whether there is an electric
alternative available on the market. Communities should also consider if the
vehicle will need alterations to perform its core functions (i.e., ladder racks,
upgraded hardware, dividers, etc.) Note: With emergency response vehicles, it
is particularly important to weigh available options, driving needs, and have
contingency plans in case there is a loss of power.
2. Charging needs. Based on vehicle driving habits and energy consumption
trends, what charging infrastructure will be needed to support the desired
vehicle?
3. Connect with the electric utility. Communicate your project plans to your
electric utility, and work with the utility to determine if the grid can support the
anticipated energy consumption, whether any upgrades will be needed, and if
any programs exist that could help offset installation or charging costs.
If medium- and heavy-duty public transportation vehicles are not a part of the
municipal fleet, communities are still encouraged to collaborate with their transit
provider and neighboring communities to explore electrification opportunities. This
may include working with the transit operator to assess conversion opportunities,
adopting conversion goals, and deploying electric transit and/or paratransit vehicles.
Purchasing at least one
medium- or heavy-duty EV fleet
vehicle would satisfy one of the
Gold designation requirements
within Charging Smart.
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Other types of off-road medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (e.g., forklifts, rescue boats,
and all-terrain vehicles) and other common municipal equipment (e.g., lawn mowers,
fire department extrication equipment) can also be electrified.
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
City of Madison, WI: The City of Madison’s Fleet Service and Fire Department
purchased an electric fire truck manufactured by Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. The truck
is powered by a 155-kilowatt-hour battery pack, is outfitted to serve the fire
department’s needs, and is charged using a direct current fast charger (Level 3).
City of Madison, WI: The city has also upgraded more than one-third of its bus rapid
transit system fleet to be fully electric. The initiative supports Madison’s goal of having
50% of its fleet be zero-emission by 2035 and is part of the MetroForward initiative to
improve air quality and reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
Drive EV Fleets: A cooperative purchasing initiative, organized by Sourcewell and the
Electrification Coalition, to accelerate transitioning fleets to electric via reduced costs
for buying EVs and their charging infrastructure.
Fleet Electric Vehicle Implementation Checklist: The US Department of Energy
developed this checklist, which outlines steps for fleet electrification.
Medium- and Heavy-duty Commercial and Municipal Fleets: This chapter of Xcel
Energy’s larger fleet toolkit outlines the benefits, barriers, and roadmap to electrify
larger vehicles within the fleet.
COST
Purchasing a medium- or heavy-duty EV can be incorporated into the capital
improvement plan or the municipality’s budget, just as a conventional vehicle would
be budgeted for. Look for available state or federal funding or incentive opportunities,
as applicable.
34
FIGURE 2: MODELED REPRESENTATIVE VEHICLE PURCHASE COST, 2025 (IN USD)8
Vehicle Type/Class Conventional
vehicles
Plug-in hybrid electric
vehicles (PHEVs)
Battery electric
vehicles (BEVs)
Compact Car $25,742 $33,690 $32,852
Midsize Car $26,774 $36,394 $34,014
Midsize SUV $30,347 $41,329 $38,354
Pickup Truck $32,424 $51,244 $41,710
Class 3 $48,553 $64,402 $78,027
Class 4 $65,573 $96,061 $109,225
Class 5 $81,850 $121,365 $113,390
Class 6 $90,418 $130,108 $144,352
Class 7 Bus $104,588 $144,584 $154,177
Class 7 Tractor $126,196 $207,267 $221,544
Class 8 Transit $256,819 $363,993 $359,299
Class 8 Regional $168,642 $280,852 $299,951
Class 8 Longhaul $184,928 $427,745 $421,588
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Significant
Staff Time
Procuring medium- and heavy-duty vehicles often has a longer
lead time from purchase to deployment, so account for the
additional time in the planning process.
Departments
Involved
Sustainability, finance, fire department, police department, public
works
County Role
Counties can purchase EVs for county fleets and support
municipalities by providing educational opportunities and
facilitating group buys.
Partners EV vendors, peer municipalities that have accomplished this
action, electric utilities
8 “2025 Incremental Purchase Cost Methodology and Results for Clean Vehicles,” U.S Department of
Energy, January 2025, https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2025-
01/2025.01.13_DOE_Incremental_Cost_Report_for_publication.pdf.
35
Strategic Category 4: Expanding Charging Infrastructure
4.1.1 Start Here: Conduct a zoning review to identify EV barriers
Conducting a review of zoning codes and land use
regulations can help identify intentional or
unintentional barriers to EV infrastructure deployment.
Potential barriers or shortcomings may include
outdated definitions related to EVs, a lack of clarity
regarding where charging infrastructure is permitted, a
lack of accessibility and/or design standards, and failing
to include EV-specific parking spaces in parking
requirements. Communities are encouraged to note
findings and recommendations in the zoning review
template (provided below) for use during updates to the municipal code.
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
Charging Smart Zoning Review Template: The provided template was developed as a
component of the Charging Smart program and is intended to streamline and
straightforward the zoning review process. Communities can use this resource to
better understand how current land use and zoning regulations may support or
impede electrification efforts.
Planning and Zoning for Electric Vehicle Charger Deployment: This guidance
document from the Sustainable Energy Action Committee (SEAC), the Interstate
Renewable Energy Council (IREC), and RMI is intended to guide local governments as
they plan and zone for EV charger deployment.
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Minimal
Staff Time Conducting an initial review of zoning and land use codes should
require minimal staff time.
Departments
Involved Planning, zoning
County Role Counties can review existing land use and zoning ordinances in
the townships where they have authority.
Conducting an initial zoning
review to identify potential
barriers to EV charging
infrastructure deployment is
a requirement of the Bronze
designation level within
Charging Smart.
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4.1.2 Start Here: Establish a best practice-based permitting system
Developing a streamlined and transparent
permitting process with clear requirements and
expectations for owners and installers is a critical
step in facilitating the expansion of EV
infrastructure. Making this process clear and
predictable will reduce uncertainty for entities
interested in installing EV charging infrastructure.
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
City of Rockford, IL: The City of Rockford requires a
permit for the installation of residential and
commercial charging infrastructure. Links are provided below to the information the
city provides about the permitting process and the permitting checklist that was
developed to streamline the process and make it more transparent.
• Permitting Information
• EV Charger Permit Checklist
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Training: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has
developed a series of free online training modules related to EV preparedness.
Communities are encouraged to incorporate the relevant courses into their training
programs for city staff involved in EV infrastructure permitting and inspections.
Planning and Zoning for Electric Charger Deployment: This guidance document from
SEAC, IREC, and RMI is intended to guide local governments as they plan and zone for
electric vehicle charger deployment.
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Moderate to Significant
Staff Time Developing new permitting processes from scratch may require
substantial staff time and capacity.
Departments
Involved Planning and permitting, public works, sustainability
County Role Counties can coordinate with local communities to ensure that
permitting processes are similar across the region.
Partners Peer municipalities that have accomplished this action, electric
utilities
Adopting a standard charging
infrastructure permit application
process and developing a charging
infrastructure permitting checklist
are both required for a Bronze
Charging Smart designation.
37
4.2.1 Ramping Up: Update to zoning ordinance
Zoning and land use ordinances can provide
guidance on where charging infrastructure is
allowable, address how EV-specific parking spaces
relate to parking minimums, and establish
accessibility standards for EV chargers. Examples of
ways to support EV adoption and infrastructure
deployment through changes to the zoning code
include:
• Permitting chargers as an accessory use by
right to surface parking lots and structured
parking facilities across all zoning districts
• Defining when charging stations would be a distinct primary use (separate and
distinct from a motor vehicle fueling station) and permitting this use widely,
including in all commercial, industrial, and mixed-use zones
• Allowing EV-reserved parking spaces to count toward minimum parking
requirements
• Implementing requirements for EV parking spaces and EV chargers that
ensure compliance with ADA, U.S. National Access Board, or other accessibility
standards
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
City of Madison, WI:
• EV definitions. Defines key terms like electric vehicle, electric vehicle charging
station, and electric vehicle supply equipment.
• Permitted uses. EV charging facilities are permitted as a use in the Downtown
Core, Urban Office Residential District, Urban Mixed use Districts, Parks and Rec
District, Airport District, Traditional Employment District, Suburban
Employment, and Employment Campus District, (28.017, 28.082, 28.061)
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
Electric Vehicle Ordinance Considerations: A guide for local governments: Developed
by GPI, this guide walks through best practices and provides examples of zoning
ordinances that support EV adoption and infrastructure deployment.
Planning and Zoning for Electric Charger Deployment: This report from SEAC provides
considerations for zoning updates on pages 22 – 45. For each consideration, it
discusses challenges, recommendations for overcoming challenges, and community
examples.
Permitting EV charging stations
as an accessory use to parking
lots by right and allowing EV
charging parking stalls to count
toward minimum parking
requirements are both required
to achieve Silver designation in
the Charging Smart program.
38
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Minimal to Moderate
Staff Time
The required staff capacity and time required to complete this
action will be comparable to any changes to the community's
zoning code.
Departments
Involved Planning and zoning, sustainability
County Role Counties can support communities within their jurisdiction to
adopt their own.
Partners Peer communities that have already adopted a zoning ordinance
4.2.2 Ramping Up: Identify locations for charging infrastructure
placement
Communities should identify potential locations for EV charging infrastructure based
on projected demand, current charging infrastructure, and municipality goals.
Municipalities may consider factors such as population density, travel patterns, grid
capacity, and future development. Additionally, communities should consider
prioritizing charging infrastructure in locations where residents may not have access
to at-home charging, such as near multi-family housing.
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
Dane County, WI: The identification of priority locations for future EV charging
infrastructure is a key component of the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Plan
created by the Greater Madison MPO. Within the section ‘Expanding Dane County’s
EV Charging Network’ (pg. 48), high-impact locations for Level 2 and Level 3 charging
stations were identified by analyzing travel routes, dwell time, trip distances, origins
and destinations, and other related metrics.
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
EVI-LOCATE: A tool developed by NREL to help assess EV charging station
deployment and plan for infrastructure location and cost. To access the tool, create a
public user account. If your community is outside of the bounds of this tool, connect
with Wisconsin Clean Cities, and they can provide the analysis or connect you with an
entity that can.
EVI-Pro Lite Daily Charging Need Tool: A tool provided by the Alternative Fuels Data
Center that estimates charging infrastructure needs to support typical daily travel.
Currently, the tool functions at the state or metropolitan area levels, but contact
39
Wisconsin Clean Cities, and they can provide data more specific to your community
or connect you with an entity that can.
GridUp (GUACC) Tool: The GUACC tool from RMI allows communities to forecast when
and where demand for electricity associated with transportation electrification will
increase. Communities can utilize this tool to determine where investments in the
electrical grid will be necessary to support future EV charging demand.
PlugShare: A mapping tool by PlugShare showing public EV charging stations. Users
can search by location to see charging infrastructure within their community and
across the country.
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Moderate
Staff Time
The amount of time and capacity required will vary based on the
level of analysis undertaken. For some communities, free tools and
readily available data may prove sufficient. For a more in-depth
analysis, communities may consider working with a third party.
Departments
Involved Planning, sustainability, community development, public works
County Role
A county-wide analysis could be completed and communicated to
municipalities within the county’s jurisdiction. A county or
regional approach to charging infrastructure planning can ensure
a vigorous and well-thought-out network.
Partners
Businesses, property owners, neighboring communities, county,
metropolitan planning organization, regional planning
commissions
40
4.3.1 Full Speed Ahead: Adopt an EV-ready ordinance or similar
incentive programs
EV-ready ordinances can be effective tools to
expand charging infrastructure in key destinations.
An EV-ready ordinance generally requires that a
certain number or percentage of parking spaces be
either EV-ready, EV-capable, or EV-installed.9 These
requirements can be applied to specific
development types or zoning categories (single-
family residential, multi-family residential,
commercial buildings, etc.), and can be required for
new construction, major renovations, or both. These
ordinances should include requirements for
electrical capacity, conduit types, and power
requirements that can support a wide range of
current and future EV charging technologies, rather than calling for any specific
charging technology.
EV-ready ordinances
and Wisconsin Act 121:
Wisconsin Act 121
prohibits communities
from requiring the
installation of EV
charging stations as a
condition of building
permit approval. While
this directly prevents
EV-ready ordinances
that call for EV-installed
parking spaces, the
preempting legislation
does not address
whether ordinances
that require EV-ready
or EV-capable parking spaces are permissible. However, developers may choose to
provide EV infrastructure as part of a voluntary agreement with the community,
9 "Electric Vehicle Glossary," Great Plains Institute, March 2024, 15,
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mDDxUA9XwB5eFVsQqUtssc8VsbiMl6gW/view.
Adopting an EV-ready ordinance
or plan for new construction is
required for Gold designation
within the Charging Smart
program. However, for
communities in which EV-ready
ordinances are not legally
allowed or feasible, communities
can complete other actions to
earn Gold designation.
EV Installed
Sites with an already-installed EV charging station,along with all the infrastructure,charging equipment,and electrical connections needed for users to chargetheircars.
EV Ready
A step above EV-capable,EV-ready sites also include theinstallationofdedicatedelectricoutlets,panels,or conduitsspecificallydesignedforEVchargingstations.
EV Capable
A location or property that has the basic electric infrastructurenecessarytosupportthefutureinstallationofEVchargingequipment.In an EV-capable location,electrical wiring andinfrastructurearedesignedorupgradedtoaccommodateEVchargingstations,but no charging station has been installed.
41
which is permissible under Act 121. Communities may consider providing density
bonuses or other incentives for the inclusion of EV parking spaces or including the
provision of EV infrastructure as a component of tax increment financing (TIF)
development agreements with developers.
Additional local government impacts:
• A local government may authorize another person (i.e., a third party) to own
and operate an EV charging station at which a Level 1, 2, or 3 charger is available
to the public on property owned by the local government unit. This authorized
person must charge a reasonable fee and must meet all other requirements
outlined in the legislation.
• No local governmental unit may require a private developer to install an EV
charging station or allow the installation of an EV charging station on the
developer’s property as a condition of granting a building permit, conditional
use permit, or other approval.
FIGURE 3: 2023 WI ACT 121 IMPACTS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT OWNED, OPERATED, MANAGED, OR
LEASED EV CHARGING STATIONS
Chargers installed before
enactment
Chargers installed post-
enactment
Before March 22, 2024 On or after March 22, 2024
Level 1 &
Level 2
For Public Use:
• Must be offered at NO fee
• NO excise tax applied
For Internal Operations (i.e.,
vehicles owned or leased by the
local government unit):
• NO excise tax applicable
For Public Use:
• Must charge a reasonable fee
for the electricity supplied
• Excise tax is applicable (3
cents/kWh)
• Sales are exempt from sales tax
For Internal Operations:
• Excise tax is applicable
Level
3 /DCFC
A local government CANNOT own, operate, manage, or lease Level 3
chargers that are available to the public.
For Internal Operations:
• Excise tax applicable
• Sales are exempt from sales tax
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
City of Stevens Point, WI: The City of Stevens Point requires that developers
benefiting from TIF incentives install EV charging infrastructure as part of their
development agreement. Because many locations that are designated TIF districts
42
are in key strategic destinations (downtown and along major transportation
corridors), this requirement results in EV charging infrastructure being deployed in
heavily trafficked areas where it is often most needed. Additionally, Stevens Point calls
for the deployment of charging infrastructure in public spaces, such as public parking
lots or public property, where possible. If these publicly available locations are limited
and chargers are installed on private property, access agreements and/or easements
are required. The type and quantity of required EV chargers vary by location within
the city, as outlined below:
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
EV Readiness in American Cities Climate Challenge Cities – Policy Options and Peer
City Research: This resource from the American Cities Climate Challenge provides an
in-depth review of EV-ready ordinances, key considerations, and real-world examples
from communities that have already implemented such ordinances.
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Moderate to Significant
Staff Time
Additional staff time and capacity may be required beyond what is
typical for the adoption of a zoning ordinance due to the need to
ensure legal compliance with 2023 Wisconsin Act 121.
Departments
Involved Finance, planning, community development
County Role Counties can develop their own ordinance and/or support
communities within their jurisdiction to adopt their own.
Partners Property owners, property developers
43
4.3.2 Full Speed Ahead: Contract, procure, and/or install a public
charger
Communities should deploy EV charging
infrastructure on government property for public
use, based on the municipality’s established goals
and strategies. Specific locations that communities
may consider include public facilities (libraries, city
hall, government buildings, etc.), within the public
right-of-way (curbside), and within walking distance
of multi-family housing. Communities should
establish best practice installation, maintenance,
and inspection protocols, and ensure that all infrastructure meets national standards.
Public EV Chargers and Wisconsin Act 121: In Wisconsin, local communities must
abide by the regulations outlined in Wisconsin Act 121 regarding government-owned,
operated, managed, or leased EV charging stations. Refer to Figure 3 for a summary
of applicable regulations.
COMMUNITY EXAMPLES
City of Sun Prairie, WI: The City of Sun Prairie has two Level 2 EV chargers available
for public use at the City Hall building. These chargers are free to the public and are
also used to charge city fleet vehicles overnight. The City of Sun Prairie has also
recently installed additional Level 2 charging stations at the public library, which
charge a fee for electricity delivered to be compliant with Wisconsin Act 121.
RESOURCES + ASSISTANCE
Act 121 Local Government Charging Station Ownership Guidelines: A resource
developed by WLGCC to help communities understand the implications of Act 121.
EV Charging and Public/Private Partnerships RFP Template: Forth’s RFP template can
help communities develop an RFP for EV charging on city property owned and
operated by a partner vendor.
Public Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Playbook: The Joint Office of Energy
and Transportation developed this playbook, which provides guidance on
procurement, ownership models, and revenue and fee structures. Select the
“Procurement” and “Revenue” menu options to jump directly to those sections.
Contracting, procuring, and/or
installing a publicly available EV-
charger is required to earn Gold
designation in the Charging
Smart program.
44
COST
The Alternative Fuels Data Center explains that the costs of installing charging
infrastructure are influenced by various factors, including site location, charging level,
type of charger, related infrastructure needs, and construction costs. See Figure 1 for
more cost estimates. A public/private partnership may reduce costs for the
municipality.
ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
Degree of
Difficulty Moderate to Significant
Staff Time
The siting and permitting process for EV charging stations will
vary based on local regulations. A public/private partnership may
reduce staff time needed.
Departments
Involved Sustainability, public works, planning, finance
County Role
Counties can install public chargers in their jurisdictions and/or
support communities within their jurisdiction in developing their
own charging infrastructure.
Partners
Qualified electricians, renters, residents, local businesses, multi-
family property owners, EV vendors, charging providers or
developers, electric utilities