# The EV Project and Its Impact on Charging Stations

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/09/the-ev-project-and-its-impact-on-charging-stations/
- Published: 2010-09-20T18:51:30-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Since I was the Project Manager at the New York Power Authority did I know an EV
guy named Don Karner from ETEC (Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation).
Now he is running ECOtality and the EV Project.  This is big.

## Why Five States Got Electric Cars First: A Look Back at the EV Project Rollout

In 2010, electric vehicles (EVs) were just beginning to make waves in the U.S. market.
But not every state saw them hit the roads at the same time. Instead, five states—
California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Tennessee—led the charge.

The reason? A large-scale federal initiative known as The EV Project, powered by
ECOtality, was setting the stage for the nation’s electric vehicle rollout.

### The EV Project: Building the Infrastructure

Launched with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, The EV Project aimed to
do more than just introduce electric vehicles. Its goal was to build a support system—
a complete charging network—to ensure those EVs could succeed.

ECOtality, the company overseeing the rollout, focused first on these five states
because of a combination of factors:

 * Strong consumer interest
 * Supportive local policies
 * Utility cooperation
 * Favorable climate for early adoption

With this foundation, the project could collect valuable real-world data while preparing
the broader market for EV growth.

![Infographic titled “Why Five States Got Electric Cars First,” showing a U.S. map
with highlighted states and reasons for early EV adoption, including strong consumer
interest, policy support, utility cooperation, and ECOtality’s proactive infrastructure
deployment.](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/EAEDA51C-
82AD-4F25-88E6-030333000A6F.png?resize=200%2C300&quality=50&ssl=1)

Ai

### Why These States?

#### 1. California

Already a leader in clean energy and green tech, California had policies that supported
EVs, including state rebates and incentives. Its urban centers also meant a high
concentration of potential early adopters.

#### 2. Oregon and Washington

The Pacific Northwest had a track record of environmental leadership. With a green-
minded population and investments in renewable energy, the region was an ideal testing
ground for EVs and public charging infrastructure.

#### 3. Arizona

With ample sunshine, Arizona offered strong solar power potential to support clean
vehicle infrastructure. Plus, key cities like Phoenix had fast-growing populations
and commuter-heavy lifestyles—perfect for EV testing.

#### 4. Tennessee

Though unexpected to some, Tennessee’s selection made sense. Nissan’s North American
manufacturing plant is located in Smyrna, and the company was gearing up to produce
the all-electric Nissan LEAF. This helped justify early infrastructure investment
in the region.

### Anticipating Demand, Not Waiting for It

ECOtality didn’t wait for mass demand to build chargers. Instead, they worked proactively,
anticipating it. They installed thousands of Level 2 and DC fast chargers to create
a connected charging corridor across the five states. This made it easier—and more
appealing—for drivers to choose electric.

Moreover, The EV Project tracked [charging behavior](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/05/charging-behavior-revealed-large-national-studies-analyze-ev-infrastructure-needs/),
location usage, and EV range patterns. That data helped manufacturers, governments,
and utilities better understand how and where to expand.

### A Foundation for the EV Boom

Today’s EV success didn’t happen by accident. It started with bold planning, forward-
thinking policy, and early investment in charging infrastructure. The EV Project’s
early rollout laid the groundwork for nationwide adoption.

By choosing strategic launch states, ECOtality and its partners helped EVs gain 
a foothold. These regions became living laboratories that shaped how electric vehicles
would roll out across the rest of the country.

### Sources:

1. U.S. Department of Energy – The EV Project Overview (2011–2013 Archive)

Source: energy.gov

This official DOE resource outlines The EV Project’s goals, partner cities, infrastructure
deployment, and data-gathering efforts. It provides credibility to why certain states
were prioritized, with emphasis on population density, utility engagement, and existing
EV interest.

 1. Idaho National Laboratory – “Lessons Learned on EV Deployment”

Source: [INL.gov – Final EV Project Report (PDF)](https://avt.inl.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/EVProj/EVProjectFinalReport2015.pdf)

 * This comprehensive final report from INL, a key partner in The EV Project, explains
   how infrastructure decisions were made. It includes detailed insights into driver
   behavior, infrastructure performance, and why initial deployment areas mattered
   for nationwide scalability.