Top brands — IKEA, Siemens, Prologis, The Ohio State University, Michigan State University — and municipalities work to accelerate EV charging for employees
PASADENA, Calif.— Workplaces hold the keys to supercharging electric vehicle (EV) uptake in the United States according to the newly launched Charge@Work program, which aims to help workplaces plan, build and implement critical EV infrastructure for workers across the country. Top brands like IKEA, Siemens, Prologis, The Ohio State University, Michigan State University, and others agree that the time for workplace EV charging has come, and all are growing workplace charging infrastructure.
“EV sales in the U.S. are breaking records in 2023, but zero-emission vehicles still represent less than 10% of the overall car sales market,” said Jason Zimbler, Light-Duty Vehicle Director at transportation accelerator CALSTART. “Workplaces have the power to supply EV charging to workers who lack home charging and to ensure that all workers — even those with long commutes — can make it to and from work in an EV without worry.”
“At Siemens, we have set a goal to electrify our fleet of 10,000 vehicles by 2030, which will require the EV charging infrastructure in place to support them where our drivers work and live,” said Matt Helgeson, Head of Sustainability, Siemens USA. “We’re proud to be installing Siemens chargers at both our facilities and employees’ homes across the United States and joining the Charge@Work program is one of the many ways we are investing in our workforce, encouraging the EV transition, and supporting a cleaner future for all.”
“As a global leader in logistics real estate, Prologis aims to achieve net-zero emissions in our operations by 2030, and across our value chain by 2040. Workplace charging is a priority for us as part of our commitment to creating a sustainable, supportive, and attractive environment for our team and customers’ employees,” said Henrik Holland, Global Head of Mobility for Prologis.
Siemens and Prologis are among the first workplaces to publicly affirm their commitment to workplace charging via the Charge@Work program’s pledge.
One of the program’s premier new offerings is the Charge@Work Project Builder, which is free and available to anyone looking to build a workplace charging program. The Charge@Work Project Builder takes the user on a virtual journey through creating a workplace charging program. Users are guided through critical steps like choosing the number of plugs to install, choosing the right technology for the job, estimating costs, and much more. The United States Department of Energy-backed program can also help:
- Offer participants free site assessments by workplace charging experts
- Identify relevant federal and local incentives
- Create a site plan
- Identify the technologies that work best for individual workplaces
- Measure worker interest in EVs
- Create a plug-share plan for workers
“We like to call ourselves your workplace charging concierge — because we and our partners can help support your workplace charging project from idea to implementation,” said Zimbler.
Public officials from across the country are voicing their support for growing workplace charging — see what they have to say here.
For a full list of companies, municipalities, and public officials supporting Charge@Work’s pledge to accelerate workplace charging, visit the Charge@Work website (and take the pledge yourself!).
Learn more at www.chargeatwork.org.