Missoula's Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Plan aims to support the implementation of EV infrastructure that addresses the needs and desires of the community, while advancing key priorities like sustainable transportation and enhanced community equity. We're looking to identify community concerns and visions, as well as what ideal EV infrastructure would look like.

Get Involved

Your involvement is important to this planning process, and we want to hear from you. Please take a moment to share your ideas and thoughts related to public electric vehicle infrastructure using the tab at the bottom of this page. You can also drop a pin in a place you think we should add an EV charging station or other EV infrastructure. For updates, subscribe to this project under Stay Informed on the right side of this page. Additionally, we will begin hosting in-person engagement opportunities in the coming months and with details posted here.

Background

The City of Missoula, the Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization, and their partners have adopted ambitious goals, including becoming a carbon-neutral community by 2050 and reducing our drive-alone commute share to 34% (from 71.7%) by 2045. While reducing the drive-alone commute share will reduce our community’s transportation emissions significantly, it will not get us all the way to carbon neutrality. This is why, in tandem with our mode-share goals (like reduce the drive-alone commute share to 34%, triple bike and walk shares, and quadruple transit shares by 2045), electric vehicles (EVs) – which produce less cradle-to-grave emissions than conventional vehicles – are part of the solution. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do electric vehicles (EVs) still create emissions?

Yes, but there are no tailpipe emissions. Even though some of the electricity created to support EV charging currently comes from carbon-intensive sources, the overall emissions are still far less than a conventional vehicle. Due to this lack of tailpipe emissions, there are also no smog-forming materials being emitted while the vehicle is driven, helping improve local air quality. As we continue to utilize less carbon-intensive electricity sources, the emissions associated with electric vehicles will only continue to decrease. 

Aren't electric vehicles expensive?

While the purchase price of EVs tends to be slightly higher than vehicles with internal combustion engines, costs continue to equalize due to the maturation of technologies and incentives. One example is the Clean Vehicle Tax Credit, which can provide a point-of-sale rebate of up to $7,500. In addition, the cost of ownership of EVs is typically less, due to reduced fuel and maintenance costs. 

Do electric vehicles work in cold climates?

The performance of electric vehicles (EVs) often gets a negative reputation in colder climates; however, Consumer Reports found that cold weather typically reduces the stated range of EVs by about 25%, which is not a significant concern if there is adequate charging infrastructure. EVs are also well-equipped to handle the snow; the weight and placement of EV batteries improve performance on ice and snow. Further, the electric vehicle market is steadily producing more vehicles that are well-suited for places like Montana by including options like four-wheel-drive and increased towing capacity. 

Won't the additional weight of electric vehicles ruin our roads?

While electric vehicles (EVs) are often heavier than similar vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE), an all-electric SUV weighs about the same as a light-duty pickup truck with an ICE. Further, to offset additional costs incurred by the heavier weight of these vehicles, EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are subject to supplemental registration fees (above standard registration fees) that are adjusted based on gross vehicle weight rating.

Are electric vehicles paying their fair share since they don't pay fuel tax?

Montana has an "Electric Vehicle Charging Station Tax," which subjects the sale of electricity by public EV charging stations to a tax of $0.03 per kilowatt-hour. This tax revenue will be used to fund state highways. 

Is it more sustainable to keep your old car instead of buying a new electric vehicle (EV)?

From an emissions standpoint, unless you drive very rarely, you will produce less emissions purchasing an EV than with the conventional vehicle you already own, and this includes the manufacturing of the EV. While some emissions are associated with the manufacturing of any vehicle, most of the emissions come from fueling the vehicle. Fueling an electric vehicle with electricity produces far less emissions than fueling a conventional vehicle. From cradle-to-grave, electric vehicles produce less emissions than internal combustion engine vehicles.