The City of Missoula, Montana has been awarded a Charging Smart Bronze designation, recognizing the community’s leadership in electric vehicle (EV) readiness and sustainable transportation infrastructure. The City of Missoula is the first Charging Smart designee in Montana.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), Charging Smart offers free technical assistance to help local governments accelerate the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure. By reducing unnecessary barriers to EV charger deployment, Charging Smart helps communities unlock economic development, cleaner air, and other local benefits while maintaining project safety. Local governments participating in the program can earn Bronze, Silver, or Gold designations, providing national recognition of their status as an EV-friendly community.

Through the program, Missoula implemented initiatives such as standardizing EV charging infrastructure permitting, reviewing zoning for unnecessary restrictions on EV charging equipment, exploring collaboration with utility providers, and expanding community education efforts. In addition, the City formally adopted an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan. This plan lays the groundwork for including vehicle charging infrastructure in land use regulations, creating local government fleet vehicle charging plans, providing public education about EVs through online and in-person events, and more. The plan also includes work toward Silver and Gold Charging Smart designations.

“I’m excited to see Missoula taking meaningful steps toward the future of electric vehicle infrastructure,” Mayor Andrea Davis said. “This effort aligns perfectly with the adoption of our forward-looking land use plan and new zoning framework, ensuring we’re planning wisely for the road ahead.”

Missoula’s designation builds on previous work with Charging Smart’s partner program, SolSmart, which awarded the city a Silver designation in 2018. SolSmart works to remove barriers to solar and increase energy options for residents. To earn SolSmart Silver, Missoula clarified solar permitting processes and streamlined solar zoning, among other achievements. 

“The Charging Smart program is proud to award Missoula with this first-in-the-state recognition,” said Ed Gilliland, Senior Director at the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. “The City’s work to update processes and reduce barriers to EV charging infrastructure lowers costs and improves access to the many benefits of transportation electrification.”

Devin Filicicchia, a transportation planner with the City, said, “This [Electric Vehicle Infrastructure] plan guides thoughtful, innovative decisions to ensure EV charging serves our community and visitors, while also providing some background on EVs and charging infrastructure.” 

Charging Smart is led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), with Great Plains Institute (GPI) serving as lead partner on the project. Other partners include RMI, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Forth, the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC), EVNoire, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC), North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC), Drive Clean Colorado, and Clean Cities and Communities (CC&C) coalitions and regional organizations located across the country.