# EV Everywhere Challenge and Its Impact on Adoption

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/03/ev-everywhere-challenge-and-its-impact-on-adoption/
- Published: 2012-03-14T16:41:25-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## Will the EV Everywhere Challenge Become Reality?

Back in 2012, the Obama Administration unveiled a bold plan—the EV Everywhere Grand
Challenge. The goal? To make electric vehicles (EVs) as affordable and convenient
as gas-powered cars by 2022. It wasn’t just a vision. It was a national call to 
action, backed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and designed to accelerate
EV adoption.

But at the time, many wondered: could this challenge become reality—or would it 
remain just that, a challenge?

![Infographic titled will the ev everywhere challenge become reality  highlighting
the 2012 u S Department of energy initiative key barriers to ev adoption like high
battery costs and limited infrastructure and strategies including advanced battery
r&d and public private partnerships to accelerate deployment](https://i0.wp.com/
greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/974BB41C-D62D-45CB-8BC3-19A4DE04B503.
png?resize=200%2C300&quality=50&ssl=1 "EV everywhere - The Green Living Guy")

AI

### EV Everywhere: The Ambitious Road Ahead

EV Everywhere aimed to tackle several barriers holding back the electric vehicle
market. The most urgent included:

 * High battery costs
 * Limited driving range
 * Lack of charging infrastructure
 * Consumer uncertainty

To fix this, the DOE planned to invest in advanced battery R&D, support public-private
partnerships, and deploy infrastructure nationwide. If successful, EVs would no 
longer be luxury items. They’d become a mainstream transportation option.

### A Spark of Hope

At the time, the EV landscape was still in its early stages. The Nissan LEAF had
only just launched. The Chevy Volt offered promise but hadn’t achieved wide-scale
adoption. Tesla was barely known outside of Silicon Valley.

However, the clean tech industry had momentum. Energy storage companies were innovating.
Solar adoption was rising. And American automakers were starting to see the writing
on the wall. [Gasoline](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/02/with-gas-prices-on-the-rise-smart-driving-means-avings/)
wouldn’t dominate forever.

This challenge created urgency. It asked scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and
automakers to collaborate. The White House wanted real breakthroughs—and fast.

### A Clean Energy Race

The broader context mattered. Oil prices were high. The economy was still recovering.
And public interest in sustainability was growing.

The EV Everywhere initiative wasn’t just about cars. It was about leadership in 
a global race. Countries like [China and Germany](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/03/china-and-germany-agree-on-energy-efficiency-programme/)
were also investing heavily in clean vehicles. If the U.S. didn’t step up, it risked
falling behind.

So the challenge was about energy independence. National security. Job creation.
And long-term resilience.

### Still Work to Do

Today, in hindsight, much progress has been made. EV sales have surged. Battery 
costs have dropped significantly. Charging stations are popping up in urban areas
and along highways. Yet some challenges remain.

Many rural areas still lack charging access. Grid infrastructure needs upgrades.
And while EV prices have dropped, affordability remains an issue for many households.

Still, the EV Everywhere Challenge helped change the game. It built the framework
for today’s clean transportation policies. And it showed what’s possible when public
policy drives innovation.

## EV Everywhere: Looking Forward

The road to clean, electric mobility isn’t a straight line. But challenges often
bring out the best solutions. The EV Everywhere vision pushed the auto industry—
and the country—toward a smarter future.

What once seemed like a steep hill now looks more like a starting line.

_**[Source: US Department of Energy](https://web.archive.org/web/20190111062037/https://www.energy.gov/articles/president-obama-launches-ev-everywhere-challenge-part-energy-department-s-clean-energy)**_

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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