Electric Vehicle Policy Task Force Draft Report and Proposed Recommendations Open for Public Comment
PHILADELPHIA – The City’s Electric Vehicle Policy Task Force today released for public comment a draft report outlining key findings and proposed recommendations the City can take to encourage greater EV use in Philadelphia. The City will also host a public open house to provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about electric vehicles and the Task Force’s proposed recommendations.
“When mass transit, walking, and bicycling are not viable options, car drivers need the cleanest cars possible,” said Michael Carroll, Deputy Managing Director for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems. “The proposed recommendations in this report offer a multifaceted approach to supporting the transition to electric vehicles in Philadelphia.”
The City has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80 percent by 2050. Transportation is the second largest source of emissions and shifting from gasoline and diesel to low carbon transportation options, such as walking, bicycling, transit, and electric vehicles, provides an opportunity to further mitigate climate change locally.
While the existing Electric Vehicle Parking Space (EVPS) program — paused by Philadelphia City Council in Spring 2017 — helped encourage early adoption of electric vehicles, charging infrastructure in Philadelphia still suffers from fragmentation which makes using an electric vehicle in the City challenging. As a result, electric vehicle use has lagged in Philadelphia compared to other peer cities.
To help reduce these barriers, the City is pursuing a flexible electric vehicle policy framework that supports innovation and private market solutions in an industry that is rapidly changing and developing.
The Electric Vehicle Policy Task Force is led by the City’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems. The draft report was developed with input from Philadelphia City Council, Licenses & Inspections, Office of Sustainability, Office of Fleet Management, Streets Department, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Philadelphia Parking Authority, SEPTA, electric vehicle owners, and community representatives in addition to consultation from industry experts.
“These recommendations are the product of a collaborative effort by a range of stakeholders that included constituents in the First Council District to find common ground and reach sensible solutions which balance the needs of Philadelphia residents and visitors,” said 1st District Councilman Mark Squilla.
Councilman-at-large David Oh, also a Task Force member, noted, “The comprehensive set of recommendations offered through this report, once acted upon, will better integrate EVs and EV infrastructure in Philadelphia and thereby allow the City to accommodate greater EV use.”
A full draft of the Electric Vehicle Policy Task Force Report can be read here.
Members of the public are invited to submit comments here.
Details about the public open house are provided below:
WHAT:
Electric Vehicle Policy Task Force Public Open House
WHEN:
January 25, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
WHERE:
16th Floor Innovation Lab, Municipal Services Building, 1401 JFK Blvd, Philadelphia, PA
Details:
Open house attendees are invited to join at their own convenience during a two-hour period between 6 pm and 8 pm. Two brief overview presentations will be delivered at 6:15 pm and 7:15 pm to explain the planning process and outline the policy recommendations. Opportunities to offer input will be provided at the public open house as well. If you or someone you know needs information in another language, please email oTIS@phila.gov.