Advanced Energy Perspectives

This week, Florida’s legislature returns to Tallahassee for the 2022 session, but work advocating for advanced energy among state policymakers has already been underway for several weeks. 

As the popularity of electric transportation has risen throughout the nation, many different actors are now coming together to better coordinate on how to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption. Florida has taken steps recently to be better prepared for EV adoption and charging infrastructure. We are seeing changes at the municipal, county, and state level to get ready for – and accelerate – electric transportation growth. Now we are seeing action on a region-wide basis as well – and AEE is at the center of it.

Left to right: Josh Cohen, Greenlots; Oscar Rodriguez, NOVAcharge; Ebo Entsuah, AEE; and Linda Ferrone, Orlando Utility Commission/City of Orlando. 

Nicknamed “The City Beautiful,” Orlando is already known for tourism, hospitality, and dining, but another feature is growing in popularity: Electric Vehicles. The city currently has 1,689 alternative fuel vehicles in its fleet, and plans to increase that number to nearly 2,400 by 2030. Over the last 15 years, the city has deployed various/several public-private partnerships to accelerate a positive environment for EV drivers, ratepayers, and the community. Now adding EVs to its municipal fleet and investing in hundreds of charging stations, Orlando is set to become the EV leader of the Southeast.

To highlight the city’s leading role, AEE gathered business owners, elected officials, and the public to learn more about electric vehicles and the regional economic benefits affiliated with Orlando’s ongoing charging infrastructure investments. Hosted in conjunction with the City of Orlando and Greenlots, a leader in EV charging stations and software, the event also highlighted policies the state could adopt to foster continued EV market expansion.

Every four years, Americans turn their eyes to Florida as a crucial swing state in presidential elections. Here at AEE, we also pay attention to the election cycle in the Sunshine State, but this year our eyes are on the state legislature. Two years ago, AEE met with gubernatorial contenders from both parties – including the eventual winner, Gov. Ron DeSantis – to tell them about the opportunity of advanced energy for Florida. This year, AEE spent the heat of a Florida summer holding virtual meetings between member companies and candidates running for the state legislature to show how advanced energy can create jobs for the Florida economy, bring consumers more options – whether for solar power or electric vehicles – and lower the cost of energy for businesses and households.