Top 10 Friendliest Cities for Electric Vehicles

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With almost every single automobile manufacturer now producing an electric option, more than 400,000 plug-in electric vehicles have been sold in the United States since 2008. As the electrical grid continues to mature, an increasing number of electric vehicle charging stations are popping up all over the country. From state to state, the smart grid is enabling energy providers to deliver new, clean sources of electricity to our households and making it possible for us to charge our vehicles no matter where the road takes us.

The Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative has mapped out the Top 10 Friendliest Cities for Electric Vehicles. Leave your range anxiety at home and explore the open road!

1. Atlanta, Georgia

In Atlanta, fine dining, shopping and rich history combine with inspiration-inducing attractions to create a city with Southern charm and world-class sophistication. Having previously hosted the Olympic Games, Atlanta is the major hub of the South with attractions such as the World of Cocoa Cola, CNN Center, College Football Hall of Fame, and the country’s largest aquarium. Pretty as a peach, there are plenty of places to plugin in Atlanta.

2. New York City, New York

The City That Never Sleeps, or runs out of juice. Home to some of our country’s most famous landmarks, soon those iconic yellow taxis will have to start to make room as New York City offers plenty of options for electric vehicles. Come for the skyline, stay for a charge.

3. Houston, Texas

Everything’s bigger in Texas, including your options. Home to a rich set of museums, sporting venues, and maybe a few cowboys; Houston, we don’t have a problem. Whether you’re just passing through or settling down for some Tex-Mex, there are plenty of options to charge your batteries in Houston.

4. Chicago, Illinois

More than 35 million tourists flock to the windy city each year, and it’s not just for deep-dish pizza. Whether you’re in town to catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field or take a stroll down Navy Pier, you’ll have plenty of options to plug-in.

5. Portland, Oregon

Stopping to grab a bite to eat at one of the city’s 700 food trucks? Don’t miss the opportunity to charge up while you eat. Voted one of the Greenest major cities in the country, and the only one with a dormant volcano, Portland welcomes electric vehicles with open arms.

6. Los Angeles, California

A sprawling Southern California city famed as the center of the nation’s film and television industry, whether you’re trying to be a movie star or you’re just coming to spot them, Los Angeles affords travelers many opportunities to charge their batteries.

7. Seattle, Washington

While Seattle may be known for its gloomy weather, let this fun fact brighten your day. As you re-charge at one of Seattle’s many coffee shops, there are plenty of plug-in opportunities to give your car that extra jolt.

8. Phoenix, Arizona

Whether you’re coming to town to check out one of the 15 Major League Baseball teams that have Spring Training in Phoenix or to play a round on the city’s more than 200 golf courses, there’s plenty of options for you to stop for a charge.

9. Baltimore, Maryland

As the first city in the United States to illuminate their streets with gas and then electricity, now Baltimore is a shining example of a city offering options for electrical vehicle drivers. Don’t forget to check out the Harbor and treat yourself to some crab cakes while you visit.

10. Orlando, Florida

Whether you’re taking your family to visit Walt Disney World or you’re coming to town for one of the many sporting events held at the Citrus Bowl each year, Orlando offers up a variety of charging locations near the attractions.

SECC selected these cities for their abundance of publicly available EV charging options and tourism activities. Interested in learning more about the EV charging opportunities in your city? The U.S. Department of Energy maintains an interactive tool to help you find local EV charging locations as well as a route planning tool to make sure you don’t run out of juice getting to and from your destination.