EV Readiness

Coloradans are strongly supportive of electric vehicles (EV), with Colorado being ranked #6 nationally for EV adoption friendliness based on existing market share. Each year more EV models are becoming available and more people are trading in their gas-powered vehicle and making the switch to electric. In addition to this switch to greater EV adoption, there is also statewide support for climate action and a more sustainable and resilient future.

Despite similar support in Steamboat Springs, our remote location and weather conditions make EV adoption more challenging. That is why Steamboat Springs is developing an EV Readiness Plan that will identify key partnerships and actionable strategies that will help the City prepare for EVs and make EV adoption easy and affordable.

Background

Steamboat Springs’ mission is to preserve our history while assuring an economically, culturally, and environmentally sustainable future. To achieve this, Steamboat Springs, partnering with Routt County, completed a Green House Gas (GHG) Inventory that examined how to reduce GHG emissions.

It was identified that a major CO₂ source that increased emissions between 2005 and 2018 was transportation. The top transportation emission-generating modes are gas vehicles, diesel vehicles, aviation, and railways. Based on the results of this study, it was clear that actions need to be taken to reduce transportation CO₂ emissions to achieve state goals for GHG emissions. The EV Readiness Plan is the next step to getting us there.