A new initiative announced this month, and spearheaded by the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM), called the "Northeast Corridor Regional Strategy for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure," is the result of a coalition of East Coast states from Maine to Virginia designed to advance public and private investments in the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and, in so doing, encourage more usage of EVs throughout the corridor.

The plan, which created a vision for EV charging infrastructure investment and provides recommendations to ensure public and private funding decisions are strategically integrated, will also incorporate input from electric utilities, EV charging companies, and automobile manufacturers.

Recommendations include expanding the network of fast-charging stations along heavily traveled corridors, utility actions to lower the costs of charging at home (especially at multifamily dwellings where high upfront installation costs, such as electric infrastructure upgrades, can pose barriers), and state incentives and outreach programs to promote workplace charging.

The initiative is receiving strong support from Drive Change, Drive Electric, an existing coalition of Northeastern states and automakers that was formed to advance consumer awareness, understanding and consideration of EVs.

"While these states are already making substantial investments in charging infrastructure and offering a range of policies and programs to promote driving electric, the strategy will help accelerate awareness of the growing number of charging stations and ensure the deployment of a robust charging network that meets the needs of the growing and projected community of electric car drivers," said Elaine O'Grady, a senior policy advisor at NESCAUM who is working both with Drive Change, Drive Electric and the Northeast Corridor Regional Strategy for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure.

The states in this coalition include Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia.