Across the country, cities and towns are planning for electric vehicles (EVs) in earnest. Smaller, rural, and more resource-constrained communities are best positioned to succeed when they have the capacity, subject-matter support, and locally appropriate tools needed to plan and deliver EV infrastructure that fits their context. Technical assistance and designation programs like Charging Smart provide this type of support.
However, we have found that participation in these programs would be difficult or impossible for some communities without additional support.
Recognizing these challenges, the Great Plains Institute (GPI), with funding from General Motors, explored several ways to provide additional, tailored assistance to communities that could use extra support.
One approach we piloted in Indiana is a partnership with the McKinney Climate Fellowship program at Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI). Through this partnership, we created a fellowship position that provides one-on-one support to communities seeking to move forward with EV readiness and would benefit from additional capacity and expertise.
Since June 2025, the Indiana communities of Jasper, Lafayette, and West Lafayette have received hands-on support from our collegiate fellow, Tyler Cairncross. Tyler’s technical skills and local knowledge helped these communities turn electrification goals into clear actions, strengthen local policies and processes, and lay the foundation to keep progress moving. This support helped them to become the first three communities in Indiana to earn the Charging Smart Bronze designation.
Why the Charging Smart model works
Transportation electrification is moving fast, but if the tools, funding pathways, and planning resources are typically designed for large cities, we risk leaving smaller communities behind. Based on our experience, this is not due to a lack of interest, but because these communities don’t have the capacity to take on yet another task.
This fellowship model is one potential way to bridge that gap. It offers targeted, locally grounded support, helps communities build durable processes and policies, and gives staff an extra boost at the exact moment they are trying to turn goals into real-world progress.
When asked about the impact of the supplemental support on Jasper’s decision to participate in Charging Smart, Director of Community Development and Planning for the city, Josh Gunselman, shared this: “The offer of additional capacity through the fellow allowed us to bring the topics of EVs and climate change to the forefront of discussions and workflow.”
What the Charging Smart fellowship support looked like on the ground
During Tyler’s fellowship, he provided assistance tailored to each Indiana community’s unique needs and circumstances. That customized support had several positive outcomes.
Moving faster through Charging Smart
With dedicated support from a fellow and technical assistance from GPI, the communities of Jasper, Lafayette, and West Lafayette had the capacity to earn the Charging Smart Bronze designation at an accelerated pace. This process laid the groundwork for more advanced electrification steps down the road.
When reflecting on the support provided since June, the city of Lafayette’s Climate and Resilience Manager Halee Griffey noted, “The guidance and structure provided by the Great Plains Institute, along with the hands-on support from a McKinney Climate Fellow, helped us navigate each step of the process with confidence.”
Strengthening local land use policy to support EV charging
In Jasper, Tyler partnered with city planners on an in-depth review of the city’s zoning code to determine whether existing parking and land use policies aligned with Jasper’s EV readiness goals.
This work led to concrete recommendations that will make siting and installing EV charging stations easier (the city anticipates implementing them in 2026).
Making EV readiness easier to navigate for residents and businesses
All three communities chose to build EV-focused pages on their city websites, a simple step that can have a significant impact. These web pages now include clear information on the process for installing EV infrastructure locally, permitting and inspection requirements, and who to contact with any questions.
For businesses, contractors, and residents interested in EV charging, having the process laid out in one place reduces friction and uncertainty, streamlining the deployment of EV infrastructure.
Establishing a vision for the future
Both Lafayette and West Lafayette developed community-wide vision statements to serve as benchmarks and guides for decisions related to transportation electrification. These vision statements have proven particularly helpful for aligning staff internally, creating buy-in for EVs amongst community members, and ensuring continuity as plans and investments take shape.
- Lafayette’s vision statement: “Lafayette will strengthen climate resilience, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and advance a sustainable, connected transportation system through electric vehicle adoption and charging infrastructure that is reliable, equitable, cost-effective, and supportive of a high quality of life for all who live, work, and play in the community.”
- West Lafayette’s vision statement: “The city of West Lafayette is committed to enhancing the multimodal transportation goals laid forth in the Greater Lafayette Climate Action Plan by reducing greenhouse gas emissions created within the transportation sector. By participating in the Charging Smart program, creating the Safe Streets for All Plan, and transitioning to low-carbon vehicles in government operations, the city of West Lafayette will continue to improve local air quality, public health, local economy, and environmental sustainability.”
In addition to helping develop these forward-looking vision statements, Tyler leveraged his local knowledge and subject-matter expertise to develop recommendations for future electrification efforts aligned with local priorities.
West Lafayette’s Climate Resiliency & Sustainability Officer Clara Lotz noted, “Having technical assistance provided by the Great Plains Institute and our McKinney Climate Fellow not only streamlined the process to designation but also gave us an outlet for identifying innovative initiatives that we can implement in the future.”
Accomplishments and next steps
With this supplemental technical assistance, Jasper, Lafayette, and West Lafayette became the first three cities in Indiana to achieve the Charging Smart Bronze designation. And the work doesn’t stop there. Each of these communities is now building on the progress already made as they work toward leveling up to Charging Smart Silver in 2026.
In addition to the Charging Smart designation, each community now has a clearer understanding of what it has already accomplished, where gaps remain, and what next steps will be most impactful in supporting and facilitating transportation electrification efforts.
Want to learn more?
If you’re interested in Charging Smart, supplemental technical assistance, or partnering with GPI on transportation decarbonization work in Indiana or beyond, reach out to us at [email protected].