The EMPOWER project aims to build upon the work of the U.S. DOE’s “EV Everywhere” Workplace Charging Challenge (WCC). The WCC program demonstrated that a national, scaled program can (1) drive employer interest in workplace EV charging, (2) grow overall support for EV charging, (3) build the availability of clean transportation commute options, and (4) spur significant private-sector engagement.

The EMPOWER workplace charging project aims to amplify these workplace charging opportunities through a coordinated and diverse multi-state effort that will enable partners across the nation to accelerate workplace charging program adoption, encourage plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) adoption, and drive investment across many industries and communities.

Building upon the success and outputs of the WCC, the EMPOWER team and its partners will utilize and repurpose the best guidance and assets into a targeted engagement plan with the flexibility to involve a wide range of workplaces in diverse communities (e.g., corporate offices, airports, small businesses, universities, shopping centers). This plan and the entities involved are coordinated through a resource-based web platform, workplacecharging.com, that can broadly and specifically inform the needs of many organizations to take advantage of workplace charging benefits.

Workplace Charging programs and workplace EV charging availability are areas that have previously been explored with various levels of success. EMPOWER seeks to rapidly learn what has worked best from previous programs and leverage that knowledge to provide a next-generation, customizable workplace charging program capable of producing tailored results anywhere in the U.S.

Our experience has shown that the most influential efforts to increase interest in workplace charging programming are often high-touch – they depend on relationships and a strong understanding of each stakeholder’s needs. EMPOWER brings an unprecedented diversity of relationships and clean transportation perspectives, adapting workplace charging commitments, deployment, and recognition to the needs of each stakeholder.

As part of EMPOWER, MC3 will work to engage 30 new sites to pledge to add charging for employees and procuring 24 sites completing installation. NDCC aims to engage 15 new sites to sign a pledge then install chargers.

Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities, East Tennessee Clean Fuels, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Cadeo Group, Portland General Electric, ICF, and 35 Clean Cities coalitions, including the Minnesota Clean Cities Coalition and North Dakota Clean Cities.

EWPOWER Website 

Check out the EMPOWER Workplace Charging website for helpful workplace EV charging resources, including the Workplace Charging 101 and the EMPOWER Pocket Guide. These guides provide clear, practical information for employers interested in bringing EV charging to their workplace.

EMPOWER Pocket Guide 

Empower also offers a handy Workplace Charging Pocket Guide designed to help employers and site hosts navigate the process of installing EV charging at their workplace. Whether you're just starting to explore the idea or ready to move forward, this quick-reference guide breaks down key considerations, best practices, and helpful resources to make implementation easier. Click the icon for the full pocket guide. 

Workplace Charging 101 

New to EV charging? Start with Workplace Charging 101 — a simple introduction to how workplace charging works, why it benefits employers and employees, and what steps to take to get started. It's a great first stop for organizations exploring EV charging for the first time and looking for clear, practical guidance. Click the icon for the full document