Obama Launches Electric Vehicles Everywhere Challenge

As part of the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge, the new Workplace Charging Challenge aims to expand access to charging stations in cities across the U.S.

At the Washington Auto Show, Secretary Chu announced the Workplace Charging Challenge.

The Challenge aims to increase the number of U.S. employers offering charging tenfold over the next five years.

The ability to charge at work can potentially double the all-electric daily commuting distance for an electric vehicle driver. 13 major employers signed the Partner Pledge and 8 organizations signed the Ambassador Pledge.

How would you like a car that could:

• refuel conveniently at home,
• drive for the equivalent of $1 per gallon
• improve acceleration and performance, and
• run on sunshine or wind

A plug-in electric vehicle (PEVs) can do all of the above. PEVs are here today — cutting fuel costs, improving performance and reducing our dependence on oil. America has a golden opportunity to lead the world in building this new industry, and that is the idea behind President Obama’s EV Everywhere Grand Challenge.

Already America is the world’s leading market for electric vehicles. In fact, PEV sales in the U.S. tripled in 2012 — last year Americans purchased more than 50,000 EVs. PEV’s have won critical acclaim with awards such as winner of Consumer Reports’ annual Owner-Satisfaction survey (Chevy Volt), 2011 World Car of the Year (Nissan Leaf), 2013 Motor Trend Car of the Year (Tesla Model S) and 2012 Green Car Vision Award Winner (Ford C-MAX Energi). To maintain this leadership, strong growth in the U.S. PEV sector will need to continue.

Today at the Washington Auto Show, Secretary Chu announced an initiative that brings us one step closer to fulfilling the EV Everywhere vision. The Workplace Charging Challenge aims to increase the convenience of owning a PEV by expanding drivers’ access to charging stations in cities across America.

Workplace charging allows drivers to conveniently recharge their electric vehicles while they work. The Department of Energy’s Workplace Charging Challenge aims to increase the number of U.S. employers offering charging tenfold over the next five years. This challenge is an important mile marker along the road to a 21st century infrastructure that supports the vehicles of the future.

As of today, 13 companies have signed the Workplace Charging Partner Pledge — committing to develop a plan for workplace charging in at least one major company location. By providing workplace charging, these forward thinking employers are signaling that they are technological and sustainability leaders. In addition to this, eight other organizations have signed the Ambassador Pledge to support and promote workplace charging around the nation.

Today the Energy Department also released the EV Everywhere Blueprint, which outlines its goals for electric vehicle technology — such as improving battery storage and reducing the cost of electric drive systems.

We can meet this challenge together with our partners in the industry. We can reduce America’s dependence on oil, strengthen our economy and protect the planet. Over the coming months, the Department plans to announce more initiatives to bring the benefits of electric vehicles to all Americans.