Missoula Unveils Ambitious Plan to Supercharge Electric Vehicle Charging by 2027—Is Your Neighborhood Next?
An in-depth look at Missoula’s new EV Infrastructure Plan, its impact on drivers, and why the city is betting big on going electric in 2025 and beyond.
- 600+ electric vehicles registered in Missoula County
- 17 DC fast charging ports mapped in Missoula’s metro area
- 40% of citywide greenhouse gas emissions come from vehicles
- 5.5% of every 1,000 residents own EVs
Missoula is racing headfirst into the electric vehicle revolution. The city’s new draft Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan, unveiled after two years of research and community engagement, signals a major leap toward an electrified future and cleaner air.
Even though Montana lags behind the national average for electric vehicle (EV) adoption, Missoula is determined to close the gap. The city wants to make it effortless for residents and businesses to install EV chargers—eliminating red tape, updating ordinances, and rolling out incentives that could energize local car buyers and property owners.
Wondering how this plan will affect parking, urban development, or even your next vehicle purchase? You’re not alone. The city’s electrification specialist, Devin Filicicchia, confirms Missoula’s commitment to tackling land-use rules and streamlining permitting for EV supply equipment. The goal: ensure EV ownership and charging become second nature, not a headache.
How Will the Plan Transform Charging Access in Missoula?
Missoula’s draft plan prioritizes placing charging stations where people already spend time: shopping centers, downtown hubs, and near popular community spaces. During a public mapping event, residents highlighted high-dwell areas as the hotspots needing fast charging the most.
Current data shows only 17 DC fast charging ports across the metro, but city planners are using public input to create a charge map for the future. Picture convenient, reliable charging at your favorite grocery store, the library, or while you attend events in town.
Q&A: Why Is Missoula Pushing for More EV Infrastructure?
Why now?
The trend is impossible to ignore. Statewide EV registrations nearly doubled in 2023, and by 2030, the International Energy Agency IEA projects U.S. EV numbers could skyrocket to 27 million. Local officials see this as a golden opportunity to cut tailpipe emissions—which account for 40% of the city’s greenhouse gases—and protect the region’s scenic wilderness.
What about non-Tesla drivers?
The city wants an EV charging network usable for all makes and models, ensuring no Missoulian gets left behind.
Who pays for it?
Missoula is betting on bold public-private partnerships, modeled on the successful EV charging rollout at the University of Montana. The plan calls for local government to lead but encourages private landowners to join the electric surge.
How-To: Prepare for the EV Future in Missoula
- Monitor updates to zoning and permitting that may ease installing a home or workplace charger.
- Seek out new incentives and tax breaks as Missoula aligns rules with state and federal trends. Track federal incentives at energy.gov.
- Watch for new chargers appearing along Montana’s Alternative Fuel Corridors (I-90, I-15, Hwy 93, Hwy 2).
- Stay connected to local government newsletters for announcements on public listening sessions and open houses.
What’s Next? Key Milestones to Watch
The city aims to achieve most of its “Phase 1” charging expansion by 2027, with additional buildout beyond. As city fleet charging remains a tough logistical puzzle, Missoula will study data from the university’s workplace charging network for scalable solutions. Regulatory reforms could kickstart a wave of private installations—powering apartments, businesses, and homes alike.
The future of EV tax credits remains murky under changing federal leadership, but industry watchers—and local governments—are betting EVs are here to stay. Montana’s open roads could soon see far more electrified vehicles passing through, especially as manufacturers roll out more pickup and SUV models for the region’s rugged terrain.
Missoula’s EV Revolution: Are You Ready to Plug In?
Get involved! Stay informed—your voice and your charging needs will help shape Missoula’s transportation future. Whether you drive electric or are just curious, now is the time to tune in as the city powers forward.
Checklist: How to Prepare for Missoula’s Electrified Future
- Check if your neighborhood is part of the next EV charger rollout
- Attend public meetings to make your charging priorities known
- Explore grant and rebate programs for EV drivers
- Ask your employer or property manager about workplace charging opportunities
- Visit trusted sources like epa.gov and energy.gov for the latest clean vehicle information
Your input—your power! Help Missoula build the charging network you want to see in 2025 and beyond.
