In late November 2023, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) launched an interactive map tool to assist electric power companies and industry stakeholders with effectively planning how much power and infrastructure will be needed for charging electric vehicles. Users can explore on the map how quickly EVs are expected to increase in different regions, and identifies energy needs at the local level for electrifying transportation, which is where critical utility planning occurs.
Called eRoadMap, the resource was developed with support from multiple entities including vehicle manufacturers, fleet operators, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), DOE National Labs and the Rocky Mountain Institute. It currently uses travel and vehicle registration data, and EPRI is working to incorporate additional sources of data, such as demographic data, to better inform users of upcoming energy infrastructure and EV charging infrastructure needs.
This tool could be very useful to electrical contractors that install electric vehicle charging infrastructure, as it will allow them to see what regions will likely have installation and maintenance work needs for EV charger infrastructure, and plan accordingly.
“If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it,” said Britta Gross, EPRI’s director of transportation. “Despite the critical need, there has not been a single, comprehensive database to help with grid planning and cross-industry decision-making for electrified transportation. eRoadMAP will connect the dots for industry and government to work in collaboration to meet current and future EV infrastructure needs.”
There are ample funding opportunities for EV charging infrastructure and electrification, including a number of federal grant programs, that should help facilitate the planning and installation needs identified by the eRoadMap tool. Most notably is the $5 billion in federal funding for a national EV charging network, which was established by of the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. And more recently in January 2024, the Biden administration announced $46.5 million for 30 projects in 16 states to “boost electric vehicle charging performance, resiliency, and reliability; support equitable access to clean transportation solutions; and grow the clean energy workforce,” according to the DOE announcement.
About The Author

Colleen Beaty
Senior EditorColleen Beaty is senior editor at ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Magazine, where she has worked since 2020. She has been writing about topics such as outside line work, wildlife and habitat conservation for more than 18 years. In her role with ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, she primarily works with the editorial team to fine-tune stories for the magazines and curate content for ECmag.com. She can also be found hosting ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR's webinars. She holds a BS in wildlife conservation from the University of Delaware.
Colleen is fueled by tea (especially chai), and can often be found cross-stitching or birding in her spare time (but not both at once).
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