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Writer's pictureBrooke Dudley

Leveraging Public Property for EV Charging Stations


Photograph of an EV charging station with text overlay "Leveraging Public Property for EV Charging Stations"

As electric vehicles (EVs) gain popularity, EV charging networks are steadily expanding across the U.S., playing a vital role in helping government agencies achieve their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. By investing in EV charging stations, cities, counties, and states can encourage more people to make the switch to electric vehicles, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and fostering a cleaner, greener transportation system. This proactive approach not only helps to minimize carbon footprints, but also plays a critical role in combating climate change and paving the way for a sustainable future.


LandGate helps government property owners turn underutilized land into assets through EV charging, renewable energy, and data center leasing, all at no cost. Analyze the potential of your agency's properties and learn more about LandGate's free services for government agencies today:



Leveraging Public Property for EV Charging Stations

With the rising number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road each year, the need for a more expansive charging infrastructure and more EV charging stations has never been greater. Many government agencies own underutilized properties that could serve as ideal locations for EV charging sites.


Properties as small as half an acre can be viable, but location is a key factor in determining if they qualify for an EV charging station. Sites near highways or destinations where vehicles are parked for long periods—such as movie theaters, restaurants, golf courses, and shopping centers—are particularly well-suited for EV charging. Additionally, there are compelling incentives for developing charging stations on Tribal Lands and designated EV Corridors, making these areas especially appealing to developers. Another critical consideration is a property’s proximity to electrical grid infrastructure. Properties located within 2 miles of a substation and near or adjacent to transmission lines are ideal, as closer access to grid infrastructure significantly enhances the feasibility of setting up an EV charging site.


Various types of agency-owned properties are suitable for EV charging stations. Among the various options, repurposing contaminated land or brownfields stands out as a particularly strategic solution. By cleaning up and transforming these neglected sites into EV charging hubs, we can simultaneously address environmental concerns and meet the growing demand for accessible charging infrastructure. Public grant opportunities exist to offset property cleanup and construction costs, and cleaning up contaminated sites restores these properties to beneficial use while increasing the value of the neighboring properties.


For public landowners looking for ways to improve federal funding, educational institutions are great locations for EV charging port sites. Colleges, universities, and schools can benefit from EV charging stations by serving students, staff, and visitors who drive electric vehicles. It aligns with sustainability initiatives and encourages the adoption of clean transportation within the campus community. In fact, college students are among many of the new EV driver population and would benefit from parking spaces that have charging ports available.


Recreational and leisure facilities are another popular location for EV charging ports. EV charging stations at recreational areas, sports facilities, parks, and tourist attractions can attract EV owners who visit these locations. It supports sustainable transportation options for visitors and promotes environmental stewardship.


Properties near highway rest stops are also ideal locations for EV charging stations. These rest stops naturally attract both traditional vehicles and electric vehicles, making them a prime spot for charging infrastructure. Installing EV chargers at highway rest areas benefits long-distance travelers who need reliable recharging options during their journey. By providing dependable charging facilities, these locations can support EV owners on intercity and interstate trips, enhancing the convenience of electric travel.


Federal Funding for EV Charging Stations

On January 11th, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration made an exciting announcement, revealing $623 million in grants dedicated to the development of an extensive electric vehicle (EV) charging network throughout the United States. This substantial investment will support 47 projects focused on EV charging infrastructure and alternative-fueling solutions in 22 states and Puerto Rico.


Notably, these projects will include the construction of approximately 7,500 EV charging ports, effectively advancing President Biden's target of establishing a national network comprising 500,000 EV chargers. This initiative will greatly contribute to the expansion and accessibility of EV charging infrastructure across the country, promoting the adoption of sustainable transportation and bolstering efforts towards a greener future.


Benefits of EV Charging Stations on Government Property

Engaging in public-private partnerships, leveraging incentives and grants, and developing comprehensive EV charging strategies can help cities accelerate their progress towards a more sustainable and resilient future. The main benefits of using goverment-owned property for EV charging stations are:


  • Environmental Impact: Electric vehicles produce lower or zero tailpipe emissions compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. By promoting and expanding EV charging infrastructure, government agencies can encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, leading to improved air quality, reduced carbon emissions, and a decrease in overall environmental impact.

  • Sustainable Transportation: Supporting the growth of EV charging infrastructure encourages the transition to sustainable transportation. As more residents and businesses adopt electric vehicles, cities can reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, promote renewable energy integration, and work towards achieving a cleaner and more sustainable transportation system.

  • Energy Efficiency and Grid Management: EV charging can be integrated with smart grid technologies and demand response programs. Charging infrastructure can optimize charging schedules, taking advantage of off-peak hours or renewable energy generation. This helps balance energy demand, reduces strain on the electrical grid, and enhances overall energy efficiency.

  • Public Health and Well-being: EV charging infrastructure contributes to public health by reducing air pollution, which can have harmful effects on respiratory health and overall well-being. Cleaner air quality resulting from increased EV adoption and reduced emissions benefits the health of city residents and creates a more livable and sustainable urban environment.

  • Economic Development and Job Creation: The expansion of EV charging infrastructure creates opportunities for economic development and job creation. It stimulates investment in charging equipment manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and operation. Local businesses can benefit from increased foot traffic and consumer spending at charging locations, supporting the local economy.

  • Social Equity and Accessibility: Ensuring equitable access to EV charging infrastructure helps address social equity concerns. By strategically locating charging stations in residential areas, low-income communities, and underserved neighborhoods, cities can promote accessibility to electric vehicle charging for all residents, regardless of their socioeconomic status. This helps bridge the transportation gap and enables more equitable access to clean mobility options.

  • Promoting Innovation and Technology: Embracing EV charging infrastructure demonstrates a commitment to technological innovation and the adoption of clean energy solutions. By positioning themselves as agencies at the forefront of sustainable transportation, governments can attract investments, research and development, and collaborations with technology companies and innovators, further driving progress towards their ESG goals.


By investing in and promoting the development of EV charging infrastructure, government agencies can accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, enhance quality of life, and align with their ESG goals. Government property owners also monetize EV charging stations by leasing or selling their properties for this purpose.


Agencies interested in leveraging their properties for EV charging can leverage LandGate to analyze their property's suitability for an EV charging station using the EV value index score. They can also advertise their properties for lease for EV charging stations for free on LandGate's platform, which presents their land directly to a nationwide network of developers actively seeking suitable sites:


Screenshot of a government listing for an EV charging station on LandGate

National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Data

By seamlessly integrating datasets comprising planned and operational electric charging stations, major roadways, disadvantaged communities, and designated alternative fuel corridors, LandGate has simplified EV charging site evaluation to just a few clicks. This data opens up new vistas into the nationwide transition to electric mobility, benefiting renewable energy developers, advisory firms, real estate investors, and landowners.


LandGate’s robust datasets of substation locations, hosting capacity for transmission lines and real-time energy pricing feeds provides public landowners the ability to evaluate the initial suitability for potential EV charging sites. With the addition of LandGate’s EV Charging data, public landowners can further evaluate potential EV charging sites based on distances from highway exits and major roadways, federally-defined EV charging corridors and proximity to other existing or planned EV charging stations. To learn more about the potential of your agency's property for an EV charging station, book a free consultation call with the government team at LandGate:



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