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Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Charging Smart Designation
The City of Lafayette has been recognized as a Charging Smart Bronze designee for implementing best practices that make it easier to plan, install, and access electric vehicle charging infrastructure! By working toward this designation, the City supported informed decision-making, improved access to charging options, and prepared for the growing role of EVs in transportation.
Charging Smart is a U.S. Department of Energy–supported program that helps local governments adopt best practices, streamline permitting, and expand public access to charging stations. Through this effort, we are building capacity to meet current and future charging needs in a way that supports residents, businesses, and visitors.
EV Vision
"Lafayette will strengthen climate resilience, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and advance a sustainable, connected transportation system through electric vehicle adoption and charging infrastructure that is reliable, equitable, cost-effective, and supportive of a high quality of life for all who live, work, and play in the community."
Electric vehicles and charging infrastructure are a central component of the Greater Lafayette Climate Action Plan (GLCAP), which identifies transportation electrification as a key strategy to reduce the city’s carbon footprint, improve air quality, and increase transportation equity. The GLCAP highlights the deployment of publicly accessible EV chargers, prioritizing locations near multifamily housing, workplaces, and high-traffic community areas. Additionally, the GLCAP emphasizes collaboration with utilities, community partners, and local government to expand EV access, promote adoption through education and incentives, and integrate charging infrastructure into long-term city planning.
For more information about community-wide goals for EV adoption and charging infrastructure deployment, please visit the Greater Lafayette Climate Action Plan.
Learn More about EVs
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more common in Indiana and can be a good fit for some drivers, especially if they match your travel habits, charging access, and vehicle needs. EVs use an electric motor powered by a battery rather than a gasoline engine, which means they produce no tailpipe emissions and can often have lower fueling and maintenance costs. Public charging options are expanding across the state, and home charging remains the most convenient option for many owners.
If you’re curious how an EV might compare to your current vehicle, the U.S. Department of Energy offers a helpful calculator that looks at costs, energy use, and emissions.
For information on EV charging installation, equipment, and home electrical considerations, view the resources from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). They provide informational videos on preparing homes for electrification of appliances and vehicles, including an overview of EV charging and other topics.
Find a Charger Near You
Wondering where you can charge an electric vehicle in the Greater Lafayette area? Check out this interactive tool by ChargeHub.
Several public charging stations in Lafayette are part of national networks such as ChargePoint and EVgo. These chargers typically require a network-specific mobile app or access card to use—check the provider’s website for details on locations, pricing, and payment options.
Another Electric Option: E-Bikes!
Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, are becoming a common sight in cities and towns across Indiana. They combine the familiar feel of a regular bike with a small electric motor, giving you an extra boost when you need it. That means longer rides, easier hill climbs, and less worry about showing up sweaty after your commute!
Want to get some exercise? You can ride with the motor off and pedal as you normally would. Need a little help on a windy day or when carrying groceries? Switch on pedal assist to make the ride smoother and more efficient.
E-bikes can be a good option for commuting, running errands, or simply enjoying our local trails and greenways. If you’re curious, explore the resources below for more on e-bike features, costs, and how they compare to other modes of transportation:
For more information on EVs, including whether switching to electric is right for you, please view the following resources.
Drivers are increasingly transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs). To learn more about EVs, refer to the below helpful resources.
- US Department of Transportation’s EV Basics: Explore everything you need to know about EVs, including the basics about EVs, charging information, benefits of owning an EV, and more resources.
- The US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator: Helps EV drivers locate available charging stations.
- PlugStar’s Shopping Assistant: This interactive tool can help you find the right EV based on your driving needs.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are powered either fully or partially by electricity and store the electricity in batteries. There are three types of EVs: battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).
Battery Electric Vehicles
BEVs have electric motors powered by a battery. BEVs must be plugged into an electric power source to recharge the battery. Because they operate entirely on electricity, they produce zero tailpipe emissions. Examples of BEVs include the Audi e-tron S, Chevy Bolt, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Tesla Model S.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles
PHEVs contain both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. They can be powered purely by electricity, fueled entirely by gasoline, or a combination of the two. PHEVs can be refueled in a few ways: plugging into an electric power source (electric motor), filling up at a gas station (gas tank), or recharging while driving (electric motor). PHEV models include the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, Kia Niro PHEV, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Toyota Prius Prime, and others.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles
HEVs have an internal combustion engine that runs on conventional gasoline or alternative fuels. While HEVs are powered in part by electricity, the electric energy is generated via the braking system. HEVs can only refuel at a gas station. Because they do not refuel by plugging into a power source, they are typically not included when defining electric vehicles. Examples include the Honda Accord Hybrid, Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, and Toyota Prius.
Cost Savings
In the long term, EVs are generally less expensive to operate than their conventional counterparts due to lower fueling and maintenance costs. Using this calculator from Duke Energy, find out your expected fuel cost savings from switching to an EV. Additionally, EV maintenance costs can be up to 50 percent less than gasoline-powered cars. While some maintenance is still necessary, BEVs have fewer maintenance requirements than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. BEVs have fewer moving parts that do not require oil changes, tune-ups, cooling system flushes, and other common maintenance services for traditional vehicles. Examples of maintenance EVs may need include brake pad replacement, software updates, tire replacement, and, occasionally, battery pack replacement. EV batteries are created to last the vehicle’s expected lifetime and come with at least an 8-year warranty.
Lower Emissions
In Indiana, greenhouse gas emissions caused by the transportation sector account for 22% of the state's total emissions. BEVs do not emit tailpipe emissions, making them a cleaner alternative to gasoline or diesel vehicles, especially if charged with renewable or zero- and low- carbon energy. Lower emissions lead to better local air quality.
EV Charging
Over 80 percent of charging occurs at home overnight. However, public charging stations are available for those who don’t have access to home charging, are on a long road trip, or need extra range during the day. Some workplaces even offer charging opportunities for employees.
There are three basic types of charging: Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast chargers. Learn more about the different charging levels on the US Department of Transportation website.
Finding Public Charging
Publicly available charging stations can easily be located using the US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center's Alternative Fueling Station Locator. In Lafayette, there are public charging stations located at the following locations: Columbia Block Parking facility, 1st floor; 7th Street Parking Garage, 2nd floor; Loeb Stadium Parking Lot. Additional charging stations can also be found at local businesses across the Greater Lafayette area.
- Federal tax credits: Use the federal government’s federal tax credit tool to learn about the credit amount available for various EV makes and models.
- Utility Programs: Duke Energy provides incentives and rebates for EV owners. Learn about the utility’s EV programs via their website.
To learn more about permitting for EV charging infrastructure in the City of Lafayette, please refer to the following resources: