Some cities in America have been preparing for many years, but PEVs will affect the entire country relatively quickly. The first wave of electric vehicles is upon us (starting by the end of 2010) and will hit specific, well-known areas where , for a number of reasons, readiness and appetite is highest (e.g. LA, San Francisco). The path of the subsequent nationwise rollout of PEVs will be driven by the “chicken-and-egg” dilemma of city readiness and charging infrastructure. The good news is that, in recent months, the road map to e-mobility has become clearer and shorter (thanks to pioneer cities), so it is not too late for cities to prepare to join the next, higher volume waves of PEVs – by taking lessons from the leaders, other cities can rapidly “get ready.”

“Getting ready” is not just about building charging stations – electric vehicles need an entire ecosystem to succeed and fully deliver potential economic and environmental benefits. Cities are essential to this development, through facilitation, planning, and coordination of stakeholders from utilities to automakers. For PEVs to become fully viable, cities need to foster infrastructure, a supportive regulatory and operating environment, and ultimately, consumer readiness. While some US cities have adopted supportive policies, no city can truly considered “ready” – only when PEVs really hit the roads over the next year or so will the actual needs and critical issues become apparent. In the meantime, and given their crucial role, cities should focus on: developing robust plans, engaging and partnering with stakeholders, facilitating permitting, offering a mix of non-financial incentives, and educating consumers.

Cities that prepare and “get ready”, while facing considerable challenges and uncertainty, stand to attract federal funds, build a “green” reputation, and participate in the early waves of PEVs, since automakers will concentrate scarce EV allocations on them. Even cities that are not leaders or pioneers can benefit from proper planning, by avoiding misdirected investments, permit and registration confusion and delays, or disappointed drivers. Otherwise, they risk facing disaffected citizens or decreased ability to cut GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions, amidst a haphazard e-mobility rollout.