Curbing the car or charging at the curb?

Source abstract

Do electric vehicles (EVs), and the expansion of curbside charging infrastructure in particular, undermine efforts to reduce vehicle travel? As EVs gain market share, decisionmakers may be less inclined to support policies such as bicycle lanes and reduced parking if they compete for space with EV chargers. We find no evidence, however, of policy substitution. Surveys in Los Angeles indicate that public support for policies to reduce driving is not swayed by the availability of EV charging. Furthermore, interviews in North American cities reveal that local officials are cautious about locking in scarce curbspace for EVs, and universally prioritized curb uses such as bicycle and bus lanes, street trees, and parklets. In our sample of early adopter cities, EV charging is not currently diminishing the political will for policies to reduce driving. However, this caution has slowed the rollout of curbside charging in North America.