United States

NREL EV Infrastructure Design and Siting Assessment Tool

Client: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Our Role: Infrastructure Modeling, Data Analysis, Energy Analysis, and Quality Control

Close-up of an electric vehicle plugged into a public charging station, with the charging cable connected to the car’s side port. The scene is outdoors with green foliage in the background and yellow safety bollards beside the charging station.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is at the forefront of automating the site selection and design process for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the U.S. As the demand for EV charging stations continues to grow, NREL needed a solution to efficiently accommodate this increasing need. Collaborating with the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Environment & Energy Resilience, NREL sought to develop a robust tool to accurately estimate the costs of installing electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).

The goal was to create a scalable, reliable template for both government and private-sector applications. This initiative is focused on integrating renewable energy into regional mobility and power grids. The pilot project’s results are intended to serve as a model for fleet operations by the White House Council on Environmental Quality and other stakeholders, driving large-scale transformations in government and private fleets and facilities.

Partnering with NREL and the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, our geographic information systems (GIS), data science, and technology division — GeoDecisions — developed the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure: Localized Charging Assessment Tool and Estimator (EVI-LOCATE).

This interactive, web-based application leverages custom GIS tools, aerial imagery, and existing data layers to help users accurately locate and manage EV fleet charging stations based on specific site conditions and user inputs. EVI-LOCATE empowers fleet and facility managers to plan and estimate EV charging unit installations effectively.

The tool analyzes various factors — including hardscape, softscape, and building impediments — and provides detailed cost estimates for required electrical upgrades. It considers variables such as trenching labor, soil type, electrical improvements, and materials, making it adaptable to large military installations and other complex sites.

Our team supported NREL in developing these charging solutions, conducting quality assurance checks, and implementing EVI-LOCATE. The tool was successfully piloted at major U.S. military installations, including Fort Bragg, Marine Corp Air Station Miramar, and Fort Shafter, with plans for broader deployment.

Learn more about GeoDecisions’ role in the project.

Key Features

Developed a model to identify factors affecting optimal EVSE location and installation costs, energy storage, and usage.
Conducted iterative quality analysis and control checks on the reliability of the model outputs and charging powers.
Integrated a variety of tabular, spatial, and imagery datasets to support nationwide implementation.
Delivered knowledge and technology transfer to NREL, enabling seamless integration into its site assessment processes.
Assisted NREL in advancing its zero-emissions federal fleet initiative through this pilot program.

Outcomes

Tackles the diverse environmental and structural challenges for EV charging infrastructure development.
Provides spatial and imagery datasets for accurate application across different sites.
Supports the long-term growth of EV charging systems nationwide.
Enhances access to charging infrastructure for EV drivers, heavy-duty vehicles, and other users.
Offers more accurate cost estimates compared to previous models.