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GPI’s Electric Vehicle Charging Station Economics Calculator

March 24, 2026 in Energy Systems, Reports & Whitepapers, Transportation & Fuels Author: Dane McFarlane

A person using a calculator

This article was originally published on August 15, 2019. The calculator has been updated twice, first in 2023 to include a mechanism that allows users to input EV charging station customer pricing by the kilowatt-hour instead of only by the minute, and again in 2025 to help users estimate the impacts of state policies—such as kilowatt-hour taxes and inspection fees—on charger economics. Please contact the Transportation & Fuels team with any questions about the calculator.

As part of GPI’s research on the economics of DC fast charging, we created a model to calculate the costs and revenue of operating an electric vehicle (EV) charging station. Through our work with the EV industry, we’ve often heard charging operators, community leaders, and EV owners express a desire to explore how station operation impacts costs for both EV charger owners and users. 

Continue reading »

CO2NNECT 2026: Advancing Clean, Firm Power for a Growing Economy and Healthy Climate

March 19, 2026 in Carbon Management Author: Bridget Callaghan

We believe that durable climate solutions are built through collaboration, practical policy, and market-driven innovation. That’s why we’re excited to announce that registration is now open for CO2NNECT 2026, a flagship convening focused on creating trusted, solutions-oriented spaces where decision makers collaborate across sectors to accelerate the deployment of technologies that reduce emissions while ensuring reliable, affordable energy. Continue reading »

Survey Results: Key Findings from Local Planner and Sustainability Staff on Needs for Advancing Climate Work

March 6, 2026 in Communities Author: Jem Thompson

Local planners and sustainability staff are being asked to address complex climate issues faster than ever, often while juggling other responsibilities, limited capacity, and a growing set of expectations.

To better understand what is needed at the local level to support this work, GPI partnered with the American Planning Association Sustainable Communities Division (APA-SCD) and the Esther A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund to survey practitioners across the country. Continue reading »

State Hydrogen Policy Webmap: Tracking How States Regulate and Support Hydrogen

February 24, 2026 in Carbon Management Author: Emma Thomley

State hydrogen policy is evolving quickly. Over the past several legislative sessions, states across the country have introduced hydrogen legislation with language on incentives, regulatory directives, and safety frameworks. At the same time, policy makers and stakeholders are often asked to consider new proposals without clear visibility into what other states have already done. Continue reading »

Communities in Minnesota Earn SolSmart Silver Designations by Working as a Cohort

February 10, 2026 in Renewable Energy Author: Sydne Tursky

Minnesota communities in Hennepin County recently worked to lower energy costs and deploy cleaner, more resilient energy options by streamlining solar zoning and permitting processes. As a result of their work, they achieved Silver designation from the SolSmart program, which provided free technical assistance and recognition to communities on their path to supporting local solar projects (SolSmart is part of the broader Energy Ready program suite). Continue reading »

Charging Smart Indiana: Transportation Electrification in America’s Crossroads

February 9, 2026 in Communities Authors: Jem Thompson, Tyler Cairncross

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.   Continue reading »

Report: Unlocking the Potential of Distributed Green Ammonia for a Sustainable Rural Agricultural Future

January 16, 2026 in Renewable Energy, Reports & Whitepapers Author: Val Stori

Distributed green ammonia (DGA) fertilizer, produced on-farm or within agricultural regions, offers several benefits that not only support sustainable agriculture but also provide local economic benefits and enhanced supply security. A new report prepared by the Great Plains Institute for the Hydrogen Economy Collaborative, Distributed Green Ammonia: Demonstrating Modular Systems for Sustainable Agriculture, highlights the regional economic benefits that DGA production can bring to agricultural regions. Continue reading »

It’s Electric! E-Bike Usage Takes Off in the United States: Part Three

January 14, 2026 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Aaron Westling

In part one of this blog series, we explored the rapid rise in electric bike (e-bike) usage and the public investments fueling this trend. E-bikes can play a crucial role in building a more reliable, affordable, and sustainable transportation system that reduces dependence on personal vehicles, a key part of GPI’s work to decarbonize the transportation sector. State rebate programs and local incentives have made e-bikes more accessible than ever. Continue reading »

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