Fargo EV Readiness Online Meeting

Study Considerations

• Analyzing the Fargo-Moorhead area's local EV sales projections and corresponding charging station needs
• Studying how EV growth will affect the region's electric grid
• Offering ways for the region to keep current on code and policy for EV charging
• Reviewing lessons learned from other states and cities with comparable adoption rates

What is an EV?

Electric vehicles differ from traditional gas-powered vehicles, formally known as internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, in two fundamental ways:

• The fuel source that enables propulsion
• How refueling the vehicle is conducted.

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Source: afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/how-do-all-electric-cars-work

Level 1 (L1)

Used almost exclusively as a home charging option due to its extremely slow charging speeds.

Level 2 (L2)

Level 2 charging is used as a home charging solution for EV owners who want a faster charging option at home and as a public charging option at locations where vehicles are parked for long durations (such as at workplaces).

Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC)

• Fastest charging option and is used for quick fill-ups at short destination locations (i.e., retail stores) and travel stops for long-distance travel.
• Sometimes referred to as Level 3 (L3) charging.
• There is a wide range of DCFC power levels and charging speeds

Charging Types and Use Cases

Charging Categories

Along with different levels of charging, different types of chargers serve unique purposes that work together to create a charging ecosystem that meets the needs of EV drivers wherever they prefer to charge.

Single-Family Home Charging

Charging is conducted at detached single-family homes with either an L1 or L2 charger. This is the most common charging application.

Shared Private

Charging is conducted at locations where access is controlled but the chargers are shared within the access group. Examples include chargers at multi-unit dwelling locations, private workplaces where access is restricted to employees, and businesses where chargers are only available to customers such as hotels. Shared private chargers are predominately L2 chargers.

Public Charging

Public charging refers to charging that is available to any EV driver. These chargers can be publicly accessed but privately owned and operated similar to gas stations. Chargers can be located at a variety of locations, such as retail businesses, recreation and community centers, healthcare and education facilities, transportation facilities, and even on-street chargers located near where people live. Public chargers can be either L2 or DCFC chargers depending on the type of site.

EV Market Share: January 2020 - December 2023

The electric vehicle market is evolving rapidly with models available in a range of vehicle types from compact cars and sedans to sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickup trucks. More than 1 million battery electric vehicles were sold in the U.S. in 2023 (Cox Automotive). EV sales continue to grow in the U.S. as automakers build more options. Nearly 10 percent of all new vehicles sold in 2023 were EVs (includes PHEVs and BEVs) (Alliance for Automotive Innovation).

Registered EVs (Cass & Clay Counties)

Considering changes in government policies and the auto manufacturing industry, many forecasts anticipate a strong increase in EV adoption. This study will help us identify what long-term EV sales projections may look like in the Fargo-Moorhead area and plan accordingly. There were over 900 EVs registered in the Fargo-Moorhead area at the end of June 2024, continuing a trend of EV growth in the area.

EV Benefits

• Improved air quality, lower emissions
• Lower fuel costs
• Less vehicle maintenance and fewer moving parts
• Noise pollution reduction
• Better energy efficiency Energy independence and potential for use of renewable power sources

EV Technology Trends

• Increased battery power density More range for less battery size & cost
• Increased battery lifetime
• Higher battery voltage
• Decreased charging time
• Decreased battery costs

Local charging is important for daily travel, but DC fast chargers along the interstate system are required for long-distance trips in EVs. To address this need, the U.S. Department of Transportation is implementing the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, administered at the state level. This grant program provides funding for private companies to submit applications for, and install charging stations if awarded, that are:

• Located less than 1 mile from an established alternative fuel corridor (AFC)
• Spaced no more than 50 miles apart
• Able to charge four vehicles at 150 kW simultaneously

States will be awarding funding for sites across multiple rounds/phases. The first rounds are focused on the interstate system along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs), with subsequent funding available for other publicly accessible corridors such as state highways.

North Dakota

North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is currently accepting Phase 1 applications. NDDOT has identified 10 clusters along I-94 and I-29 to focus on for Phase 1. Subsequent phases will focus on completing the remaining interstate and state highway system corridors.

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North Dakota Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Program

Minnesota

Minnesota announced Round 1 conditional awards on July 11th, 2024. 13 of the 18 initial clusters were awarded, including a site in Moorhead! Round 2 applications are expected to be available in the fall.

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National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program in Minnesota

In the future, there will be a need for more EV charging infrastructure in the Fargo-Moorhead Area. It is estimated that in 2035 there will be 11,000 to 18,000 EVs (4 -7% of all vehicles in the area) that will need 7,000-11,000 charging ports to support them. As technology advances and more EVs are on the road, the area needs to ensure the infrastructure meets this demand. Most charging ports will be at single family housing. But, to fully meet this demand there will still need to be several thousand chargers around parking areas at workplaces, community centers, and retail.

Charger Use Cases

To build out an efficient charging ecosystem, charger types should be matched to land uses. For example, retail centers where shoppers are parked for 30 minutes to an hour will need DCFC chargers, while office parks need slower L2 chargers that employees can use during the workday.

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Commercial

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Commercial

These types of public chargers are typically found at retail, schools, transit, restaurants, grocery stores, etc... and include a mix of L2 and DCFC chargers depending on the average time vehicles are parked at a location.

Community

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Community

These chargers are typically found on the street with on-street parking and in multifamily developments. Community chargers are mostly L2 chargers, focused on vehicles that are parked for longer periods of time such as overnight.

Depot

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Depot

Depot chargers are for public transit and fleet vehicles and are found at centralized depot facilities. They typically charge overnight but charging needs vary based on vehicle application. Therefore the depot operator will need to conduct a study to identify these; they will not be studied in depth as part of this readiness study.

Distance

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Distance

Distance chargers are found near highway exits and rest stops and are mostly DC fast chargers that can refuel vehicles in less than an hour. These chargers are the focus of federal investments to build a national charging network.

Residential

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Residential

EV drivers with access to private spaces at their residence can charge at home. Charging occurs via a standard 110V outlet (L1 charging), or drivers can opt to install a 240V outlet (L2 charging) for faster charging speeds. These chargers are typically found in single family homes.

Workplace

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Workplace

Workplace chargers are usually L2 chargers that can refuel a vehicle in a 8-hour workday. These chargers are typically found in commercial areas, offices, and mixed-use spaces in cities. Employers can opt to restrict charging to employees only or offer public access depending on the employment location.

Next Steps

The feedback received on this online meeting through October 10 will be included in report development. The Study report is to be completed by the end of 2024.

July Workshop Overview

The study working group, made up of local public agencies (cities, counties, MPO, states), utilities, and private industry stakeholders, met in July to identify areas that will need additional EV infrastructure. Using land uses, ensuring access for all communities and drivers, and limitations put in place by the project team to simulate real life impacts the groups did an activity to identify where EV infrastructure could and should go in the future. Along with public feedback the project team will use the results from this activity to determine the future plans for EVs in the area. The areas that are shown on the map are just ideas right now and are not final locations for charging infrastructure.