Actor

2.5 Get buy-in from various DOT divisions and other state agencies for collaborating on PEV initiatives

Reason for action

State DOTs often place PEV work in a more flexible office within the DOT (e.g., jobs and commerce, public-private partnerships, innovative delivery), but flexible offices may also be isolated within the DOT. PEV deployment may require work across multiple offices. Examples include:

  • Obtaining the cooperation of the DMV is crucial for publishing sales data on PEVs, which is important to share with other PEV stakeholders in the state and the region.
  • Obtaining categorical exclusions for installing charging stations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (see Action 2.15) requires cooperation with highway operations and maintenance. Determine early on who has jurisdiction over categorical exclusions.
  • Transportation finance staff could oppose PEVs because they do not pay any gasoline tax while operating in all-electric mode; a clear channel of communication with transportation finance staff could prevent opposition.

Implementing the action

  • Circulate internal memo that articulates the public value of PEVs (citing report or presentation slides created in Action 1.4).
  • Hold department-wide stakeholder meeting to garner support for PEV-related initiatives.
  • Target DOT staff with many years of experience. Staff that have worked at the DOT for many years may have established informal networks across the department.

Outcomes

Getting buy-in from other departments allows for Actor and Leader actions to progress smoothly. Nearly all Actor and Leader actions require some degree of internal collaboration.

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