Electric trucks are gaining traction, but charging infrastructure remains a barrier. Incentive programs can help, but their effectiveness depends on their design. Atlas interviewed 16 stakeholders—fleet operators, charging developers, state agency officials, and policy experts—to understand what makes medium- and heavy-duty vehicle charger incentive programs work well. The research surfaces the need for:
- Flexible, stakeholder-centered program designs to accommodate diverse fleets,
- Coordination between vehicle and charger funding to avoid timing mismatches,
- Program designs that incentivize right-sizing charger power,
- Administrative simplifications to reduce barriers for smaller fleets,
- Payment structures that support cash flow realities,
- Intentional approaches to program accessibility,
- Improved utility coordination to navigate grid integration, and
- Strategies for long-term program sustainability as markets evolve.
The report provides concrete recommendations on each program design element to guide policymakers in designing more effective incentive programs.
