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Friday, December 13, 2024 | Department of Environmental Protection
 Montgomery County continues to be one of the nation’s hottest markets for electric vehicles. Plug in vehicle registrations in Montgomery County increased 35% year over year in 2024, increasing EVs’ share of total registered vehicles to 4.54% according to DEP analysis. Global sales of EVs were up 32.3% in the same period, with 16.8% growth in the U.S. and Canada and 50% growth in China.
However, the pace of EV sales in the County has slowed in the last months since its peak in July. December sales may offer renewed strength as some customers move up purchase decisions to take advantage of the EV tax credit while it is still available. Analysts expect the pace of growth in the EV market to slow in 2025 even while it continues to hit records. The market is on the edge of mass adoption, but most consumers need more vehicle options, more charging solutions, and more time to feel comfortable with a new technology.
In the County, 75 new public Level 2 ports and 11 public Level 3 ports have come online so far in 2024, according U.S. Department of Energy database of EV charging stations, bringing the total number of public ports in the County to 654 Level 2 and 134 Level 3 ports. Unfortunately, this growth has been offset by some stations that have been decommissioned or designated as temporarily unavailable, so the total number of locations with EV charging stations has remained constant since last year. Across the country, the number of public fast chargers has doubled since 2020.
Montgomery County has the highest number of charging stations of any county in the state. However, the number of public ports in our area remains too low for the size of the EV market. The County and other organizations are finalizing grant agreements with state and federal grant to build public charging stations at 44 sites across the County over the next year. You can track the status of grant projects on the Montgomery County EV Charging Sites map.
Even with new grant-funded charging stations, more infrastructure will be needed specifically at apartments, common-ownership communities, and workplaces to meet charging needs. DEP looks forward to working with communities and businesses in the County in 2025 to keep the market for EVs growing strong.
On December 11, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced 70 tentatively selected applications to receive a total of approximately $735 million in Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles (CHDV) Grant Program funds under the Inflation Reduction Act. The selected applications are projected to fund an estimated 2,400 new Class 6 and Class 7 zero-emission school buses and vocational vehicles, as well as eligible infrastructure, in 27 states, along with three Tribes or Tribally-controlled schools, and one U.S. territory.
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INNOVATION ALLEY APRIL 8 – 9, 2025
Join us in Innovation Alley, where industry leaders connect directly with 300+ decision-makers in the commercial building sector. This dynamic exhibition space offers unique opportunities to demonstrate your cutting-edge solutions in energy efficiency, building performance, and sustainability. Applications are due by January 3, 2025.
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There are lots of exciting opportunities available for job seekers. Check out DEP’s Green Job Portal for climate and sustainability jobs.
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Consumer Reports survey finds electric vehicle reliability improving but lagging gas models (AP News)
Existing batteries may last up to 40% longer than expected (Stanford Report)
How to make EVs get along with the grid (Canary Media)
The Chevy Equinox is our 2024 Breakthrough EV of the Year (InsideEVs)
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