Ames Designated “Charging Smart Silver” for Electric Vehicle Readiness

Published on July 23, 2025

AMES, Iowa – Ames recently received a Silver designation from the national Charging Smart program for achieving policies that facilitate the expansion of electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging infrastructure. Ames is the first community in Iowa to earn a Charging Smart designation.

As a Charging Smart Silver designee, Ames has adopted nationally recognized best practices to accelerate the deployment of EVs in the community. The City of Ames worked with Charging Smart to increase local knowledge of EV infrastructure for the benefit of economic development and clean energy goals. Charging Smart is led by partners including the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Vehicle Technologies Office.

“The City of Ames continues to explore new EV charging station locations and add to our growing inventory of chargers around the community,” said Nolan Sagan, City of Ames Sustainability Coordinator. “Ames Electric Services offers a rebate to customers who install a charging station in their homes.”

The City of Ames has installed 11 electric charging stations throughout the community, and several others are located at area businesses. Learn more at www.CityOfAmes.org/EV.

To achieve Charging Smart Silver designation, the City of Ames has adopted policies that support the installation of EV chargers throughout the jurisdiction. Additionally, the City of Ames has completed a fleet analysis and is examining the process of municipal fleet electrification. These and other actions taken will make it faster, easier, and more affordable for residents, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to install EV infrastructure and adopt EVs.

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