Driving Electric – Making EV Charging More Accessible Through Curbside Charging

The document argues that curbside charging is a critical alternative for renters and multifamily housing residents who lack private off-street parking. It emphasizes that successful deployment requires early engagement with 'program stakeholders' (government and private entities) and 'community stakeholders' (residents and local organizations) to navigate the complexities of urban infrastructure. The guide outlines four business models—'own and operate', 'lease', 'external operator', and 'concession'—noting that the choice depends on whether the city prioritizes program control, financial risk mitigation, or specific goals like addressing 'EV charging deserts'. It also suggests community engagement tools such as surveys, pop-ups, and dedicated websites to build trust and correct EV misconceptions.

• Curbside charging is essential for expanding EV adoption among urban residents, particularly those in multifamily housing who cannot install Level 2 chargers in private garages.
• Successful deployment requires coordinating with diverse stakeholders to ensure chargers do not conflict with other urban assets like bike lanes, bus stops, and stormwater infrastructure.
• Cities must choose a business model based on their specific goals, such as prioritizing high-utilization areas for profit versus targeting 'EV charging deserts' for equity.
• The 'own and operate' model offers the city maximum control but higher liability, while 'lease', 'external operator', and 'concession' models shift financial risk to external providers who may prioritize profit over access gaps.
• Community engagement through surveys, site visits, and transparent communication is necessary to build trust and address concerns regarding parking constraints and enforcement.

APA

RMI (2026). Driving Electric – Making EV Charging More Accessible Through Curbside Charging. https://rmi.org/resources/driving-electric-making-ev-charging-more-accessible-through-curbside-charging/

Chicago

RMI. Driving Electric – Making EV Charging More Accessible Through Curbside Charging. 2026. https://rmi.org/resources/driving-electric-making-ev-charging-more-accessible-through-curbside-charging/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Driving Electric – Making EV Charging More Accessible Through Curbside Charging |date=9 June 2026 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/driving-electric-making-ev-charging-more-accessible-through-curbside-charging/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2026driving, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Driving Electric – Making EV Charging More Accessible Through Curbside Charging}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2026}, month = jun, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/driving-electric-making-ev-charging-more-accessible-through-curbside-charging/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }