Electric Vehicles in our Community

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Charging Smart

The City of West Lafayette, with the assistance of the Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute and the Great Plains Institute, has become one of the first four Cities in Indiana to achieve Charging Smart designation. As a Charging Smart Bronze designee, we are committed to integrating Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure into our community and implementing EV-ready standards for our growing City.

The Charging Smart program helps us to identify areas of need and create innovative solutions to the community’s priorities. Looking forward, we aim to foster economic growth through research, development, and partnership.

Types of Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) are powered either fully or partially by electricity and store the electricity in batteries. There are three types of EVs: battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs)

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

Charging Stations in West Lafayette

Charging stations around West Lafayette can be found using the U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center's interactive tool below. To find out more about charging stations or plan trips in West Lafayette and beyond, check out the PlugShare charging station tool!

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West Lafayette's EV Vision

The City of West Lafayette is committed to enhancing the multimodal transportation goals laid forth in the Greater Lafayette Climate Action Plan by reducing greenhouse gas emissions created within the transportation sector. By participating in the Charging Smart program, creating the Safe Streets for All Plan, and transitioning to low carbon vehicles in government operations the City of West Lafayette will continue to improve local air quality, public health, local economy, and environmental sustainability.

More EV Resources:

EV Benefits

Cost Savings

In the long term, EVs are generally less expensive to operate than their conventional counterparts due to lower fueling and maintenance costs. Using this calculator from Duke Energy, find out your expected fuel cost savings from switching to an EV.

EV maintenance costs are about 40% lower than gasoline-powered cars.¹ While maintenance is still necessary, BEVs have fewer maintenance requirements than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Examples of maintenance EVs may need include brake pad replacement, software updates, tire replacement, and battery pack replacement. EV batteries are created to last the vehicle’s expected lifetime and come with at least an 8-year warranty.

Make sure to do your research on potential cost savings when considering an EV.

Lower Emissions

In Tippecanoe County, greenhouse gas emissions caused by the transportation sector account for 27% percent of total emissions.² BEVs do not emit tailpipe emissions, making them a cleaner alternative to gasoline or diesel vehicles, especially if charged with renewable or zero- and low- carbon energy.

Lower emissions lead to better local air quality.

1. Electric vs. Gas Cars: Is It Cheaper to Drive an EV?

2. Greater-Lafayette-Climate-Action-Plan-FINAL.pdf

Finding an EV

The average American drives 29 miles a day, which is well within the driving range of today’s EVs.¹ To understand your personal driving needs, track your daily miles driven over a week or a month. This will help you identify your average, minimum, and maximum driving distances. Utilize the following tools to help find which EV could be best for you:

In Indiana we often experience cold winters. It is important to consider the impact that cold weather will have on the range. Most BEV ranges drop by 40 percent in cold temperatures. Other considerations for range include city driving vs. highway driving, the latter of which tends to draw down the battery at a faster rate.

1. National Household Travel Survey Daily Travel Quick Facts | Bureau of Transportation Statistics

EV Charging

Charging 101

There are three basic types of charging: Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast chargers (DCFC).

Level 1	Level 2	DCFC
120 V AC (Standard Wall Outlet)	240 V AC (Dryer Plug)	400 V - 1000 V DC
Up to 5 miles of range per hour	Averages 25 miles of range per hour	Up to 250 miles of range per hour
No installation required; comes with vehicle at time of purchase	Installation required; purchase may be necessary	Used for longer distance driving; maybe need adapter depending on EV Model

Publicly available charging stations can easily be located using the US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center's Alternative Fueling Station Locator. In West Lafayette, there are 4 municipal owned Level 2 charging stations available for public use in front of Margerum City Hall and the West Lafayette Public Library. Some local businesses have also installed charging stations available for their customers.

More EV Charging information for your home or business:

Incentives and Utility Programs

All Federal EV Tax Credits ended September 30, 2025. The Federal Refueling Tax Credit will end June 30, 2026. For comprehensive information on 2024 and 2025 Federal EV Tax Credits please consult Plug In America.

Federal Credits & Incentives

Clean Vehicle Tax Credits
- Find out which vehicles qualify and how much you can receive.
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit
- Find out if you qualify.

Utility Credits & Incentives

Duke Energy Charger Solution Program

Permitting and Inspections

Permit Application Process (Residential and Nonresidential)

Apply for an EV Charger permit online, by mail, or in person using the Improvement Location Permit linked here and on the Engineering website.
- To indicate EV Charger project please write in ‘EV Charger’ in Section B. Type of Construction along with any other improvements.
Submit the Permit application, one (1) set of building plans, one (1) plot plan (if outside work is required), and pay eligible fees.
- Permit fees are $100.

Permits are reviewed by the Building Department. If an EV Charger Permit is requested in the right-of-way, the Engineering Department will also review the application. In special circumstances, the West Lafayette Fire Department also assists in site review. Applications are reviewed concurrently, and zoning compliance is required in all applications. For more information regarding the permitting process, please reach out to our Building Department. Application process is the same for residential and nonresidential, commercial applicants.

Permitting Checklist

To present a complete EV Charger Improvement Location Permit, please make sure the following items are included in your application:

Project Location
Contractor Contact Information
Description of Work including type of charger (Level 1, 2, or DCFC) and electric capacity needed
Project Square Footage
Estimated Cost of Project
Location of EV charger in structure
Building Plan(s)
Plot Plan(s)

Inspections

Inspections for EV Chargers are conducted through the same process as Electric, Solar, and Generator inspections. For any questions regarding your EV Charger inspection please contact the Building Department.

Additional Resources