The City of Arlington has recently been recognized for its initiatives in readying the cityscape for an electric future. As per a statement by the city's Transportation Department, Arlington has been bestowed with a Bronze designation from the national Charging Smart program, marking it as the first city in Texas and across the continental southern half of the United States to achieve such a level of preparation for electric vehicles (EVs) and related infrastructure.
As per the City of Arlington's news release, Transportation Director Alicia Winkelblech commented on the award, "This recognition demonstrates Arlington’s commitment to planning for a more sustainable, accessible future." She emphasized the city's focus on supporting environmental goals and economic development to properly address the evolving needs of the city’s residents.
The Charging Smart initiative is spearheaded by organizations such as the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), the North Central Texas Council of Governments, and the Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Coalition. This program provides complimentary technical assistance to local governments, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy Vehicle Technologies Office, specifically to fast-track the deployment of EVs and expand charging infrastructure access to residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
Lori Clark, senior program manager for the Alternative Fuels & Energy Program at the North Central Texas Council of Governments, praised the city's efforts, saying to the City of Arlington, "We are thrilled to see Arlington's efforts culminate in this well-deserved Bronze designation. As the first designee in the Southern U.S. to receive this award, Arlington is setting a powerful example and paving the way for electric vehicle readiness across Dallas-Fort Worth." In order to be bestowed with the Charging Smart Bronze designation, the city had to smoothly execute multiple actions geared towards the simplification of EV adoption. These actions included standardizing permit processes, reviewing zoning codes, and joining forces with utility providers.
