Electric Vehicles Geared Towards Urban Environments vs Rural Areas

Beyond Cities: Breaking Through Barriers to Rural Electric Vehicle Adoption

• Rural areas have low rates of electric vehicle (EV) adoption, in part because rural areas lack EV charging infrastructure.
• The proposed bipartisan infrastructure bill allocates $7.5 billion for EV charging stations, with priority funding for rural areas. It would be the country's first federal investment in EV charging stations.
• Rescinding bans on direct-to-consumer automotive sales, which currently exist in 17 states, is another important step towards increasing the availability of EVs.

Light-duty, fully-electric vehicle (EV) sales more than doubled during the first half of 2021, outpacing the automotive market's overall 29 percent sales growth, and EVs are expected to account for 2.9 percent of total sales of light-duty vehicles in 2021. However, while these figures show that the push to electrify the automotive sector is well underway in urban and suburban areas, the same cannot be said for rural America. The need to electrify the transportation sector to reduce carbon emissions is clear, but this goal cannot be reached without the inclusion of rural areas, which are home to more than 57 million Americans.

The State of Rural EV Ownership

When compared to metropolitan areas, rural communities and regions have extremely low EV adoption rates, with the vast majority of non-urbanized areas having new electric vehicle registration rates of between zero and half a percent. This equates to fewer than five and, in many cases, zero registered EVs per 10,000 people in the majority of non-metro counties, whereas EV registration in metro counties ranges from 10 to more than 100 registered EVs per 10,000 people. This disparity is also visible at the state level, as states with higher rural populations have significantly lower rates of EV registration.

The Lack of Charging Infrastructure in Rural America

The lack of EV charging infrastructure in rural areas is one of the most significant barriers to rural EV adoption in the United States. While rural areas are home to less than one-fourth of the U.S. population, they cover 97 percent of the country's total land area. Nevertheless, the vast majority of charging infrastructure is concentrated in major cities. Major metro areas have 500 to over 1,000 public outlets per 25 square miles, while most suburban areas have one to 25 outlets and the majority of rural areas and small towns have none. The urban-rural charger divide can also be seen at the state level, as the same rural states with low EV registration rates also have low numbers of EV chargers per mile of road.

The Department of Energys most recent report on EV infrastructure determined that for an EV driver to be no more than three linear miles from a fast-charging station in any city or town, there would need to be a charger density of 56 stations per 1,000 square miles. While the top ten EV metropolitan markets meet this standard, with an average of 65 fast-charging stations per 1,000 square miles, the national average is only 18 stations per square mile. This number is nowhere near dense enough to compete with gas stations, which have an average density of about 960 stations per 1,000 square miles. While this target is for urban areas rather than rural, there are still not enough charging stations in rural areas to match the density of gas stations.

To increase rural EV adoption, states must increase the density of EV charging outlets in rural areas. Increasing the number of available chargers will decrease range anxiety for rural EV adopters. A positive feedback loop is also likely to play a large role in the dynamics of EV ownership and charging availability, with rural rates of EV ownership increasing as more chargers are built in rural areas, and vice versa.

One way to increase charger density is through federal investment in charging infrastructure. While the Biden-Harris Administration initially proposed a $15 billion investment to expand our charging network of 100,000 stations to 500,000 stations, the proposed bipartisan infrastructure bill instead allocates $7.5 billion for EV charging stations, with priority funding for rural areas. It would be the country's first federal investment in EV charging stationsa necessary step to reaching the administrations goal of 50 percent EV market share by 2030.

Electric cooperatives can also play an increasingly influential role in rural EV adoption by bringing charging stations and EV outreach programs to their service areas, which are overwhelmingly rural and make up 56 percent of U.S. land area. White River Electric Association, a member of the Colorado-based Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association, helped install two EV charging stations in the rural mountain community of Meeker, Colorado, where they were well received by locals. Installing chargers in rural downtown areas helps turn small towns into destinations for EV drivers, spurring new economic development, reducing range anxiety, and encouraging EV adoption among residents.

Tri-State has also developed an EV loaner program, in which several EVs purchased by the association can be distributed to co-ops for Ride and Drive events. At these events, utility employees and residential customers alike can experience electric vehicles in person. In Nebraska, for instance, Northwest Rural Public Power Districts Ride and Drive events of August 2020 yielded overwhelmingly positive reactions from customers and dispelled many hesitations about EVs.

Protectionist Dealer Laws

The direct-to-consumer automotive sales bans that exist in many states are another major obstacle to rural EV adoption. These laws prohibit manufacturers from selling cars directly to consumers without the use of dealerships. This means automakers that do not use the dealership model, like Tesla, are banned from selling their cars in states where these laws have been enacted. The bans would also apply to EV startups like Rivian, Lordstown Motors, and Lucid Motors when they start selling vehicles, which is why these companies are fighting to pass laws overturning the bans. New EV carmakers generally dont have the resources necessary to establish nationwide dealership networks.

While supporters of the ban argue that the policy is beneficial because it promotes competition between dealers and drives down prices, opponents argue that there is no reason why dealerships and direct sales models cannot coexist. While direct sales are allowed in 22 states, they are still completely banned in 17 states, many of which have large rural populations. As of 2021, 11 states that prohibit direct sales, including North Dakota, have passed legislation making exceptions for Tesla. To maximize market penetration and allow for higher rates of EV adoption, 28 states must pass direct sale ban exceptions for all EV manufacturers or repeal their bans entirely.

Limited Model Availability

While manufacturers are offering more EV body styles than ever before, model availability remains a significant barrier to EV adoption in rural areas due to the lack of truck options. Pickup trucks remain a functional and cultural staple of rural America. Trucks make up about 20.1 percent of the new car market nationally but are overwhelmingly popular in more rural states like North Dakota and Wyoming, where truck market share surpasses 41 percent. While a good number of sedan and crossover EV options exist, the automotive market has yet to see the release of an all-electric pickup truck. This will soon change once Fords all-electric F-150 Lightning goes on sale in the spring of 2022. With an average of just under 900,000 sales annually over the last three years, the gasoline Ford F-150 is the most popular vehicle in more than 30 states, including North Dakota, Wyoming, and Vermont. If the electric version of the truck proves to be anywhere near as popular as the gas version, the F-150 Lightning could serve as a catalyst for rural America to rapidly adopt electric vehicles. To increase the rate of rural EV ownership, more automakers must begin to produce EVs suited to the needs and lifestyles of rural customers.

Moving Forward

While widespread EV adoption in the United States presents many challenges for the nation as a whole, rural areas face additional barriers that prevent EVs from reaching their full potential. Although progress has been made, much more work remains to be done in the areas of charging infrastructure, EV model availability, and state and local policies in order to encourage EV adoption in rural America. While it is clearer than ever that the future of rural transportation is electric, reaching this future will require continued actions by parties of all sizes, from the rural electric co-ops of small towns to automotive manufacturers and the federal government. By implementing EV-friendly infrastructure and policies in rural America, the United States as a whole can more quickly make the transition to clean transportation while ensuring that those living beyond metropolitan areas are not left behind.

Author: Jaxon Tolbert

Authors Note: Special thanks to Jon Jantz of Collaborative Efficiency who helped inform this article.

Difference Between Urban and Rural

Based on the density of population, development, amenities, employment opportunities, education, etc. human settlement is majorly divided into two categories i.e. Urban and Rural. Urban refers to a human settlement where the rate of urbanisation and industrialisation is high.On the other hand, in a rural settlement, is one where the rate of urbanisation is quite slow.

Another important difference between the two human settlements is that while urban areas are highly populated, rural areas have comparatively less population than the urban ones. Take a read of this article, in which weve compiled the important point to distinguish the two.

Content: Urban Vs Rural

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Definition of Urban

The term urban simply refers to the region or area which is densely populated and possess the characteristics of the man-made surroundings. The people residing in such area, are engaged in trade, commerce or services. In this settlement, there is high scale industrialisation that results in better employment opportunities. The Urban settlement is not confined to the cities only, but towns and suburbs (suburban areas) are also included in it.

There are many advantages of life in urban areas like easy access to various amenities, better transportation facilities, entertainment and education options, health facilities. Although it suffers certain drawbacks like pollution, caused due to large scale industrialisation and means of transportation like buses, trains, cars and so on, leading to increasing in health problems in the people living in that area.

Definition of Rural

We define the term rural as a region located on the outskirts. It refers to a small settlement, which is outside the boundaries of a city, commercial or industrial area. It may include, countryside areas, villages or hamlets, where there are natural vegetation and open spaces. There is a low density of population in such area. The primary source of income of the residents is agriculture and animal husbandry. Cottage Industries also form a chief source of income here.

In India, a town whose population is below 15000 is considered as rural, as per the planning commission. Gram Panchayat is responsible for looking after such areas. Further, there is no municipal board, in the villages and maximum percentage of the male population are engaged in agriculture and related activities.

Key Differences Between Urban and Rural

The fundamental differences between urban and rural are discussed in the following points:

1. A settlement where the population is very high and has the features of a built environment (an environment that provides basic facilities for human activity), is known as urban. Rural is the geographical region located in the outer parts of the cities or towns.
2. The life in urban areas is fast and complicated, whereas rural life is simple and relaxed.
3. The Urban settlement includes cities and towns. On the other hand, the rural settlement includes villages and hamlets.
4. There is greater isolation from nature in urban areas, due to the existence of the built environment. Conversely, rural areas are in direct contact with nature, as natural elements influence them.
5. Urban people are engaged in non-agricultural work, i.e. trade, commerce or service industry. In contrast, the primary occupation of rural people is agriculture and animal husbandry.
6. Population wise, urban areas are densely populated, which is based on the urbanisation, i.e. the higher the urbanisation, the higher is the population. On the contrary, the rural population is sparse, which has an inverse relationship with agriculturism.
7. Urban areas are developed in a planned and systematic way, according to the process of urbanisation and industrialisation. Development in rural areas is seldom, based on the availability of natural vegetation and fauna in the region.
8. When it comes to social mobilisation, urban people are highly intensive as they change their occupation or residence frequently in search of better opportunities. However, in rural areas occupational or territorial mobility of the people is relatively less intensive.
9. Division of labour and specialisation is always present in the urban settlement at the time of job allotment. As opposed to rural areas, there is no division of labour.

Conclusion

So, with the given discussion, it is easily understood that these two human settlements are very different, regarding the density of human structures and the residents of that area. The standard of living in urban areas is higher in comparison to the rural areas. At present, the maximum part of the total population resides in urban areas, as well as the total land area occupied by the urban region is greater than the rural areas.