Dane County Executive Melissa Agard on Monday kicked off the first meeting of the Electric Vehicle (EV) Advisory Committee, an initiative to expand EV infrastructure across the county. The committee’s work will support the “Charge Up Dane County” effort, ensuring that all residents have access to electric transportation.
While Dane County comprises about 10% of Wisconsin’s population, it accounts for approximately 25% of all EVs registered in the state. However, many residents — especially those in multifamily housing, rural areas, and those without personal garages — face barriers to EV ownership due to a lack of accessible charging infrastructure.
The EV Advisory Committee’s efforts are informed by the Dane County Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Plan developed by the Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization, as well as direct public input through an interactive mapping tool.
The county is currently in the planning a federally funded two-phase EV infrastructure expansion project. The planning process includes identifying charging station locations, conducting preliminary designs, and completing environmental due diligence. These efforts will position Dane County to secure additional funding for a broader rollout of EV charging stations in the next phase.
The EV Advisory Committee’s work is being led by the Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change.
