Bridging the Charging Gap: Why rural electric vehicle charging infrastructure matters.

Electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the United States is growing, yet rural regions remain underserved when it comes to public charging infrastructure availability. This article examines benefits, barriers, and innovative approaches to rural EV charging station deployment, emphasizing its role in enabling long-distance travel, fostering tourism, enhancing local economic vitality, and reducing environmental externalities. Rural communities face unique challenges, including low EV ownership rates, uncertain charging demand, grid capacity constraints, and limited private investment incentives. Case studies highlight successful rural charging initiatives, such as installations in National Parks, gateway communities, and Tribal Nations, including off-grid solar-powered solutions and charging stations powering electric shuttles. The article pinpoints the critical role of resilient charging infrastructure in emergency preparedness, particularly in hazard-prone areas where charger access is necessary for evacuation and disaster response. Strategies for building rural charging networks include strategic corridor placement, grid readiness assessments, colocation with existing services, universal design, and integration with renewable energy and storage. Accounting for technical, economic, and behavioral considerations, rural EV charging station location should rely on data-driven, place-based planning frameworks that address rural needs rather than replicating urban models. Through innovative business models and cross-sectoral collaboration, rural America can become both a beneficiary and a proving ground for scalable EV charging infrastructure solutions that support daily mobility, economic growth, and resilience against extreme events.