Edelstein, S., Lou, J., & Shen, X. (2024). "Empowering Electric Mobility: A Comprehensive Study of Access and Equity in Maryland’s Public EV Charging Infrastructure (2011-2023)" Center for Global Sustainability. 28 pp
- Throughout Maryland, there has been significant progress in access to public EV charging since 2011. This is a result of significant statewide expansion of the EV charging network
- Counties such as Washington and Allegany strategically leverage the construction of new charging stations in downtown areas as a means to promote economic growth, fully capitalizing on the potential for development and community engagement.
- Eastern Shore regions, characterized by limited access to Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs), are confronting an accessibility gap, particularly evident in areas such as Wicomico, Queen Anne’s County, and Kent County.
- Baltimore City has consistently exhibited an accessibility gap, both in terms of income and racial dimensions, over the years. This issue requires attention, particularly given the high proportion of low-income and minority households in the city.
- An enduring accessibility gap persists between rural and urban areas. Rural residents face challenges such as a lack of public transportation and less walkable communities, making them more reliant on personal vehicles. Additionally, they are more inclined to cover longer distances compared to their urban counterparts, underscoring the crucial significance of ensuring access to charging infrastructure in these regions.
- Multifamily households are on average closer to public charging than single-family households at each income and demographic level. This may help compensate for the lack of residential charging in many multi-unit dwellings (MUDs).
Maryland aims for 100% electric vehicle (EV) sales for new passenger cars and light trucks by 2035. Since 2011, CGS's new analysis finds that the state has expanded its EV charging network to 1,396 locations as of June 2023, adding an average of 113 stations annually. Despite progress, addressing limited charging infrastructure availability for low- and moderate-income individuals, rural households, and people of color is crucial.
CGS's new analysis assesses the progress in developing an equitable and robust public electric vehicle (EV) charging network, showing the state’s significant progress in statewide expansion as it brought EV charging infrastructure over half a mile closer to diverse communities across counties. The analysis delves into charging accessibility across diverse demographics and areas, identifying gaps that hinder widespread EV adoption in Maryland as it strives to meet its 2035 EV targets.