2026 Focus Areas
The ZEV transition is progressing quickly and has reached the mainstream market in many ZEV Alliance jurisdictions. At this stage, challenges related to affordability and universal access to charging infrastructure take on renewed importance. At the same time, it is increasingly important to maximize the climate and environmental benefits of ZEVs to address the urgency of the climate crisis.
Charging solutions for parking-constrained customers in urban areas
While cities tend to be leaders in ZEV adoption, the lack of dependable off-street parking creates a unique barrier to adoption for private drivers and fleets alike. Relying on public charging has the potential to make EV ownership less convenient and more expensive, and can be particularly costly for high-mileage fleets like taxi and ride-hail drivers.
This focus area will:
Synthesize ongoing research projects on residential and public charging solutions for urban areas
Gather policy implementers to discuss the role of government in scaling up solutions
Explore innovative public and private charging solutions
Effective and durable incentives for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles
Zero-emission heavy-duty trucks remain much more expensive to purchase than diesel alternatives in most segments and markets. As costs come down, incentives are still important for scaling up deployment, but governments are keen to limit costs and maximize policy impact in recognition of limited budgets.
This focus area will:
Compare existing incentive programs to inform IZEVA governments of policy design
Investigate bonus-malus framework for heavy-duty vehicle segment
Share guidelines on data collection to inform effective incentive design
Financing the electric transition of fleets
Fleets—public and private—could be a driver of the EV transition as they are often centrally procured and parked, managed for low lifetime cost, and have well-understood duty cycles. However, transitioning an entire fleet to electric can have a significant financial impact since companies have to buy or lease not only the vehicles, but also the charging infrastructure.
This focus area will:
Convene fleet operators and policymakers to discuss challenges and solutions
Examine total cost of ownership for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles and their internal combustion engine counterparts
Assemble a guide of recent research on financing fleets and accelerating ZEV adoption
Selection Process
The ZEV Alliance’s annual workplan revolves around focus areas, or themes, for collaborative discussion and research. Focus areas are selected through a comprehensive member survey each year to identify the most pressing challenges jurisdictions are facing as they pursue their own ZEV targets. The ZEV Alliance typically conducts three focus areas per year, which typically feature multiple member policy discussions, a research report (available to the public), and presentation of findings at virtual and/or in-person events.
2025 Focus Areas
Accelerating utility planning and permitting for ZEV infrastructure
Examines opportunities for governments and utilities to reduce timelines and costs associated with connecting high-power charging infrastructure to the grid.
Developing and promoting a positive narrative of the ZEV transition
Identifies and explores positive messaging tactics to both dispel myths and misinformation about ZEVs and spread a positive narrative about their diverse benefits.
Ensuring the durability of ZEV policy
Analyzes strategies to increase the durability of key ZEV policies against changing political interests and ensure long-term investment.
Previous Focus Areas
To discover resources from previous years’ research, explore our publications.
2025
Accelerating utility planning and permitting for ZEV infrastructure
Developing a positive narrative of the ZEV transition
Ensuring the durability of ZEV policy
2024
Battery materials sourcing and sustainability
Making charging more user-friendly
Challenges and opportunities for ZEVs in rural communities
2023
Charging in multi-unit dwellings
Business case for public charging
Incentives in the mainstream market
2022
Environmental justice impacts of ZEVs
Charging for electric trucks
Battery reuse and recycling
2021
Mature, equitable charging ecosystem
Supporting 100% ZEV targets
Used ZEV market
2020
Zero-emission freight
Supply chain dynamics
Electrifying fleets
2019
Funding the ZEV transition
Implementing smart charging
Expanding ZEV access
2018
Electrifying non-road transport
Fast charging lessons learned
Electrifying shared fleets
2017
Heavy-duty ZEV technology costs
Charging infrastructure best practices
Hydrogen fueling infrastructure
2016
Evolving consumer incentives
Utility best practices
Consumer awareness programs
2015
Global ZEV transition
ZEV climate mitigation potential