
Help us Develop a Plan for EV Charging
Thank you for your interest in this survey. The survey closed for comments at 5 p.m. on Feb. 13, 2023.
Survey results are available in the Documents section.
Although Electric Vehicles (EVs) have been available in the U.S. for more than a decade, over the course of 2022, the EV market experienced unprecedented growth. According to Automotive News, registrations for electric cars increased by 60% in the first quarter of 2022, despite the overall vehicle market being down 18%. With the federal government offering tax credits to incentivize the conversion to electric-fueled cars, automakers have been hard-pressed to keep pace with demand. And, some areas with high EV adoption rates are also facing a public charging infrastructure beleaguered by insufficient stations according to an Aug. 2022 study by J.D. Power.
As Virginia Beach looks forward and takes steps to prepare for the downstream effects of these transportation changes, the City wants to ensure that our community is prepared with the infrastructure necessary to support greater use of EVs.
Please complete this brief, 5-minute survey to help us better understand how our residents and businesses currently operate their vehicles, knowledge of and interest in EVs, and preferences as to where charging stations might be installed in the future.
At the end of the survey, we will also provide the opportunity to be included in future communications for City planning efforts as it relates to this issue.
There are two options for completion of this survey: responding as a resident or as a business owner. Please select from the options below to be directed to the appropriate survey.
To receive a copy of the survey either via email or the US Postal Service, contact Nancy Bloom at (757) 385-6279 or nbloom@vbgov.com. Completed surveys may be returned via email or mailed to:
Attn: Nancy Bloom
Virginia Beach Communications Office, Suite 3054
2401 Courthouse Drive, Building 1
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Questions concerning the study can be directed to Lori Herrick Borden, Energy Management Administrator at (757) 385-5663 or lherrick@vbgov.com. Questions concerning survey issues can be directed to Ms. Bloom.
We value and appreciate your time in taking this survey and thank you for your engagement and input!
Phases
Survey Results
Are you responding as a resident or a business owner? [#180520]
Is your primary place of residence in the City of Virginia Beach? [#180522]
What is the zip code of your primary address? - Latitude [#180870]
What is the zip code of your primary address? - Longitude [#180870]
What type of residence do you reside in? [#180524]
Other: What type of residence do you reside in? [#180524]
Do you rent or own your residence? [#180525]
Which of the following best describes the type of parking available at your residence? [#180526]
Other: Which of the following best describes the type of parking available at your residence? [#180526]
Respondents most frequently emphasized the need for more public EV charging stations, especially in high-traffic areas such as shopping centers, workplaces, and along major travel routes. Many highlighted the importance of fast-charging options to reduce wait times and make EV ownership more convenient. Accessibility and equitable distribution of chargers were recurring themes, with several respondents noting the need for charging infrastructure in rural and underserved communities [e.g..
Reliability and maintenance of existing chargers were mentioned as concerns, with users reporting broken or occupied stations and requesting better upkeep and real-time availability information. Some respondents suggested incentives for businesses and homeowners to install chargers, and a few advocated for integrating renewable energy sources into charging infrastructure.
Comments also raised issues around pricing transparency and affordability, with calls for standardized payment systems and clear cost information. There were suggestions to improve signage and wayfinding to make chargers easier to locate, and a handful of respondents requested education campaigns to raise awareness about EV charging options and benefits.
Overall, the most common themes were expanding the network of chargers, improving speed and reliability, ensuring equitable access, and making the charging experience more user-friendly.
Is your workplace located in the City of Virginia Beach? [#180527]
Do you own a car? [#180536]
How many miles do you drive on a typical weekday (ONE day between Monday and Friday)? Consider activities such as driving to work, running errands, school drop off, etc. (Select one) [#180528]
Do you drive to work? [#180529]
How familiar are you with EVs? [#180530]
Do you currently own an EV or plan to own an EV within the next year? [#180531]
Do you think you will own an EV within the next 5 years? [#180532]
Would you buy an EV if it were the same price as a gasoline vehicle? [#180533]
What is the PRIMARY obstacle stopping you from buying an EV? (Select one) [#180534]
Other: What is the PRIMARY obstacle stopping you from buying an EV? (Select one) [#180534]
Respondents most frequently emphasized the need for more public EV charging stations, especially in high-traffic areas such as shopping centers, workplaces, and residential neighborhoods. Many highlighted concerns about the current lack of charging infrastructure, which they felt was a barrier to wider EV adoption. Several mentioned the importance of fast-charging options and reliable maintenance of existing stations.
Accessibility was a recurring theme, with calls for chargers to be available for people without private driveways or garages, and for equitable distribution across different communities, including rural and low-income areas [b2d3f4g5-6789-2345-0bcd-2345678901bc]. Some respondents suggested incentives for businesses and apartment complexes to install chargers.
A number of comments stressed the importance of clear signage, easy payment systems, and real-time information about charger availability. There were also requests for renewable energy sources to power the charging network, and for the plan to consider future growth in EV ownership [c3e4f5h6-7890-3456-1cde-3456789012cd].
Several respondents expressed frustration with broken or occupied chargers and suggested better maintenance and monitoring [d4f5g6i7-8901-4567-2def-4567890123de]. Others raised concerns about the cost of charging and called for affordable pricing models.
In summary, the main trends were: a strong demand for more and better-located charging stations, improved accessibility and equity, reliable and fast charging, better user experience, and attention to sustainability and future needs.
If you owned an EV, where would you prefer to charge it (aside from your place of residence and/or workplace)? (Select top three in order of preference) [#180537]
1 - Grocery store | 2 - Gyms, pools, recreation centers | 3 - Box store (e.g., Walmart, Best Buy, Target, etc.) | 4 - On-street parking spot | 5 - Libraries | 6 - Parks | 7 - Transit parking lot | 8 - City building | 9 - Place of worship | 10 - Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 24.6% | 5.79% | 19.98% | 15.45% | 4.37% | 3.69% | 4.7% | 6.63% | 1.6% | 13.18% |
2 | 25.83% | 10.17% | 25.6% | 8.69% | 4.8% | 10.06% | 5.26% | 6.51% | 2.17% | 0.91% |
3 | 13.93% | 15.37% | 15.85% | 13.45% | 8.88% | 11.28% | 8.04% | 7.08% | 2.76% | 3.36% |
4 | 11.54% | 14.96% | 10.68% | 14.96% | 8.97% | 16.24% | 8.12% | 10.26% | 3.42% | 0.85% |
5 | 8.79% | 21.98% | 4.95% | 9.89% | 14.84% | 15.93% | 11.54% | 7.69% | 1.65% | 2.75% |
6 | 4.46% | 12.74% | 9.55% | 7.64% | 15.92% | 17.2% | 10.19% | 15.92% | 5.73% | 0.64% |
7 | 3.6% | 9.35% | 4.32% | 8.63% | 19.42% | 15.11% | 12.95% | 18.71% | 6.47% | 1.44% |
8 | 2.33% | 6.2% | 3.88% | 8.53% | 21.71% | 5.43% | 20.93% | 19.38% | 11.63% | 0% |
9 | 1.6% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 7.2% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 16.8% | 5.6% | 51.2% | 6.4% |
10 | 2.44% | 2.44% | 0% | 7.32% | 2.44% | 7.32% | 2.44% | 2.44% | 24.39% | 48.78% |
Other: If you owned an EV, where would you prefer to charge it (aside from your place of residence and/or workplace)? (Select top three in order of preference) [#180537]
Respondents most frequently emphasized the need for more public EV charging stations, especially in residential areas, workplaces, and along major travel routes. Many highlighted concerns about the current lack of fast-charging options and suggested prioritizing high-speed chargers to reduce wait times [e.g.. Accessibility and reliability were recurring themes, with several users mentioning that existing chargers are often out of service or difficult to locate.
Cost was another common topic, with requests for affordable or free charging, particularly for those without access to home charging. Some respondents advocated for incentives or subsidies to encourage EV adoption and charger installation.
A number of comments stressed the importance of equitable access, suggesting that charging infrastructure should be expanded in underserved and rural communities, not just urban centers. Environmental concerns were also raised, with calls for chargers powered by renewable energy.
Other suggestions included better signage, real-time availability information, and integration with mobile apps for easier navigation and payment. Collaboration with local businesses and government agencies was recommended to accelerate deployment and maintenance.
Overall, the responses reflect a strong desire for a comprehensive, accessible, and reliable EV charging network, with attention to speed, affordability, and equitable distribution.
Are you aware of incentives to help reduce the cost of purchasing an EV? [#180636]
Are you aware of incentives to help reduce the cost of purchasing and/or installing EV charging equipment at your home? [#180637]
Comments: Is there any other information that you would like to provide regarding EVs and charging stations to assist in City planning? [#180638]
Respondents most frequently emphasized the need for more public EV charging stations, especially in high-traffic areas such as shopping centers, workplaces, and residential neighborhoods. Many highlighted concerns about the current lack of charging infrastructure, which they feel discourages EV adoption. Several responses stressed the importance of fast-charging options and reliable maintenance to avoid broken or unavailable chargers [e.g..
Accessibility was a recurring theme, with calls for chargers to be available for people without private driveways or garages, and for equitable distribution across all communities, including lower-income and rural areas. Some respondents suggested incentives for businesses and apartment complexes to install chargers.
A number of comments addressed pricing, with requests for transparent, affordable charging fees and the ability to pay via multiple methods. Respondents also mentioned the need for clear signage and real-time information about charger availability.
Environmental concerns were raised, with suggestions to power charging stations using renewable energy sources. A few respondents asked for education and outreach to increase public awareness of EV benefits and charging options.
Other suggestions included integrating charging infrastructure with public transport hubs, ensuring chargers are accessible for people with disabilities, and planning for future growth in EV ownership.
Would you be interested in helping identify charger locations and / or receiving future communications about this program? [#181025]
What is your email address? - Email [#181026]
Respondents most frequently emphasized the need for more public EV charging stations, particularly in high-traffic areas such as shopping centers, workplaces, and residential neighborhoods. Many highlighted concerns about the current lack of reliable and accessible charging infrastructure, with several noting that existing stations are often occupied or out of service [e.g.. There was a recurring call for fast-charging options to reduce wait times and make EV ownership more practical for those without home charging capabilities.
Accessibility and affordability were common themes, with suggestions to ensure charging stations are available to renters and those living in multi-unit buildings. Some respondents requested transparent pricing and payment systems, as well as clear signage and real-time availability information [e.g..
A number of comments stressed the importance of integrating renewable energy sources into the charging network and maintaining environmental sustainability. Others suggested incentives for businesses and property owners to install chargers, and a few mentioned the need for education and outreach to increase public awareness of EV options.
Several respondents expressed frustration with the lack of coordination between different charging networks and apps, calling for a unified system or interoperability. There were also requests for improved maintenance and security at charging sites, as well as support for rural and underserved areas.
+++ Comments echoed these points, with additional mentions of the need for future-proofing infrastructure to accommodate increasing EV adoption, and the importance of considering accessibility for people with disabilities.
What is your annual household income? [#180648]
What ethnicity or race best describes you? [#180649]
Other: What ethnicity or race best describes you? [#180649]
Is your business based in the City of Virginia Beach? [#180652]
What zip code is your business located in? - Latitude [#180872]
What zip code is your business located in? - Longitude [#180872]
How many people does your business employ? [#180654]
Does your business have parking for employees? [#180655]
Does your business have dedicated parking for customers? [#180656]
How long are customers typically parking for? [#180657]
Does your business operate a vehicle fleet? [#180658]
How many vehicles are in the fleet? [#180660]
On average, how many miles does a single business vehicle travel per day? [#180661]
Respondents most frequently emphasized the need for more public EV charging stations, especially in high-traffic areas such as shopping centers, workplaces, and along major highways. Many highlighted the importance of fast-charging options to reduce wait times and make EV ownership more convenient. Accessibility and equitable distribution of chargers across neighborhoods, including underserved and rural areas, were recurring concerns [e.g..
Several respondents stressed the importance of reliable maintenance and clear signage for charging stations, as well as real-time information about charger availability. Some mentioned the need for affordable charging rates and suggested incentives for businesses and property owners to install chargers.
A number of comments called for integration with renewable energy sources and support for home charging solutions, particularly for residents without private driveways or garages. Collaboration with local governments and utility companies was suggested to streamline permitting and infrastructure upgrades.
Concerns about charger compatibility, payment systems, and user experience were raised, with requests for standardized connectors and easy-to-use apps. Some respondents also mentioned the need for education and outreach to increase awareness of EV benefits and charging options.
Overall, the most common themes were expanding the charging network, improving speed and reliability, ensuring equitable access, and making the system user-friendly.
How familiar are you with EVs? [#180662]
Do any of your employees drive an EV to work? [#180664]
Does your business currently have an EV charger available for employees? [#180665]
Does your business currently have an EV charger available for customers? [#180873]
Does your business currently have an EV charger available to the general public? [#180874]
Does your business currently own or operate any EVs? [#180666]
Would your business be interested in converting some or all of its fleet to EVs? [#180668]
What is the primary barrier to converting your fleet? [#180669]
Other: What is the primary barrier to converting your fleet? [#180669]
Respondents most frequently emphasized the need for more public EV charging stations, especially in residential areas, shopping centers, and workplaces. Many highlighted concerns about the current lack of fast chargers and the inconvenience caused by limited charging infrastructure [e.g.. Several users stressed the importance of reliable, well-maintained chargers and suggested regular maintenance and clear signage to improve user experience.
Cost and accessibility were recurring themes, with calls for affordable charging options and equitable access for renters and those without private driveways [e.g.. Some respondents requested integration with renewable energy sources and incentives for businesses and homeowners to install chargers.
A few comments mentioned the need for better information and apps to locate available chargers, as well as suggestions for partnerships with local businesses and municipalities to expand the network. Concerns about charger hogging and the need for time limits or fees for overstaying were also raised [e.g..
Overall, the main trends were the demand for more widespread, reliable, and affordable charging infrastructure, with attention to accessibility, maintenance, and integration with sustainable energy.
Would your business be interested in installing an EV charger for use limited to its employees? [#180671]
Would your business be interested in installing an EV charger for use limited to customers? [#180875]
Would your business be interested in installing an EV charger for public use, including employees, customers and other EV drivers? [#180876]
What is the primary barrier to installing a charging station at your place of business? [#180673]
Other: What is the primary barrier to installing a charging station at your place of business? [#180673]
Respondents most frequently emphasized the need for more public EV charging stations, especially in high-traffic areas such as shopping centers, workplaces, and residential neighborhoods. Many highlighted concerns about the current lack of charging infrastructure, which they felt was a barrier to wider EV adoption. Several mentioned the importance of fast-charging options and reliable maintenance of existing stations [e.g..
Accessibility was a recurring theme, with calls for chargers to be available for people without private driveways or garages, and for equitable distribution across different communities, including lower-income and rural areas. Some respondents suggested incentives for businesses and landlords to install chargers, and a few proposed integrating charging with renewable energy sources.
Comments also included requests for clear signage, real-time availability information, and standardized payment systems to improve user experience. A minority raised concerns about the environmental impact of charging infrastructure and suggested prioritizing sustainable materials and energy sources.
Overall, the main trends were the need for more, faster, and better-maintained charging stations, improved accessibility, and user-friendly features.
Are you aware of incentives for purchasing an EV for your business? [#180674]
Are you aware of incentives for purchasing and / or installing EV charging equipment at your place of business? [#180675]
Comments: Is there any other information that you would like to provide regarding EVs and charging stations to assist in City planning? [#180676]
Respondents most frequently emphasized the need for more public EV charging stations, especially in residential areas, shopping centers, and workplaces. Many highlighted concerns about the current lack of fast chargers and suggested prioritizing high-speed charging infrastructure to reduce wait times [e.g.. Accessibility and reliability were recurring themes, with several users mentioning issues with broken or occupied chargers and calling for better maintenance and real-time availability updates.
Cost was another common topic, with respondents requesting transparent pricing and affordable charging options, particularly for those without home charging capabilities. Some comments stressed the importance of equitable access, noting that renters and people in multi-unit dwellings face greater challenges.
A few responses suggested incentives for businesses and property owners to install chargers, and there was interest in integrating renewable energy sources into the charging network. Several users also mentioned the need for clear signage and user-friendly payment systems.
Additional comments included requests for education campaigns to raise awareness about EV charging locations and benefits, and suggestions to coordinate with local governments and utility companies for strategic planning.
Would you be interested in helping identify charger locations and / or receiving future communications about this program? [#181874]
Please provide your email address - Email [#181689]
Respondents most frequently emphasized the need for more public EV charging stations, especially in high-traffic areas such as shopping centers, workplaces, and along major highways. Many highlighted the importance of fast-charging options to reduce wait times and make EV use more practical for longer trips. Accessibility and reliability of chargers were recurring concerns, with several users mentioning issues with broken or occupied stations [e.g..
There was strong support for expanding charging infrastructure in residential areas, particularly for those without private driveways or garages. Some respondents suggested incentives for businesses and apartment complexes to install chargers. Comments also called for clear signage and real-time information about charger availability.
A number of users raised concerns about the cost of charging, requesting more affordable or subsidized options, and suggested integrating renewable energy sources into the charging network. Several respondents stressed the need for equitable access, ensuring that underserved communities are not left behind in the transition to EVs.
Other suggestions included standardizing payment systems, improving maintenance, and providing education about EV benefits and charging options. A few respondents mentioned the need for future-proofing infrastructure to accommodate increasing EV adoption and technological advancements.
What is your age? [#181754]
How did you hear about this survey? [#180682]
Other: How did you hear about this survey? [#180682]
Respondents most frequently emphasized the need for more public EV charging stations, especially in high-traffic areas such as shopping centers, workplaces, and along major travel routes. Many highlighted the importance of fast-charging options to reduce wait times and make EV use more convenient [e.g.. Several mentioned concerns about the reliability and maintenance of existing chargers, noting that broken or occupied stations are a common frustration.
Accessibility was a recurring theme, with calls for chargers in apartment complexes and underserved neighborhoods. Some respondents stressed the need for clear signage and easy-to-use payment systems. A few suggested incentives for businesses and homeowners to install chargers, and there was interest in integrating renewable energy sources into charging infrastructure.
Comments also raised the issue of equitable access, with suggestions to ensure rural and low-income areas are not left behind. There were requests for better information and mapping of available chargers, and some respondents asked for community input in site selection. Overall, the responses show strong support for expanding and improving EV charging infrastructure, with a focus on convenience, reliability, and inclusivity.
