Streetlight Charging in the Kansas City Right-of-Way

Expanding access to EV charging, one streetlight at a time.

Kansas City, MO’s Streetlight Charging in the Right-of-Way pilot project has installed 23 electric vehicle (EV) chargers using the city’s streetlight infrastructure. This innovative project demonstrates how curbside charging can expand access to EVs, especially for renters, multi-family housing residents, and others without off-street parking.

Led by Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC) and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, this three-year initiative engaged the community to identify and evaluate the benefits of streetlight-based charging — with the goal of informing future citywide investments that support a diverse and growing group of EV drivers.

Reports

Kansas City, Missouri, Streetlight Electric Vehicle Charging

Strategies and challenges for site selection of streetlight electric vehicle infrastructure in Kansas City, Missouri

This report highlights the collaboration between MEC and partners to install streetlight-based EV charging stations in Kansas City, Missouri. Authored by Alexis Blomqvist from EVNoire, with input from Dr. Shelley Francis and Kelly Gilbert, it focuses on community engagement for equitable access to charging. Key findings emphasize charger placement in community spaces, safety, and economic opportunities for local businesses, along with recommendations for inclusive planning and outreach to promote EV adoption in underserved areas.

Streetlight Charging in the City Right-Of-Way

A Community Perspective

This report, created by MEC, NREL, and Penn State, outlines strategies and challenges in deploying streetlight-based EV charging in Kansas City, Missouri. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the project focuses on providing equitable, low-cost charging access for residents without private options. Key sections cover technology, site selection, community engagement, and deployment outcomes. The report highlights the installation of 23 charging stations, using data-driven models and community input, with a focus on underserved neighborhoods. Findings and recommendations aim to guide future EV infrastructure expansion efforts.

Project Photos

Use the gray arrows at right to browse the project photos.

Project Details

Project Background

MEC secured funding for this project through a competitive U.S. Department of Energy grant. MEC and its partners contributed significant in-kind resources to maximize community impact. The project ran from 2018 to 2024 and aimed to expand affordable EV charging access, reduce emissions, and support equitable transportation options across Kansas City. The charging stations will remain operational for their useful lives, supporting Kansas City’s goal to become a climate-neutral city by 2040.

Why Streetlight Charging?

While most EV owners charge at home, many Kansas City residents lack access to garages or driveways. Public curbside charging can bridge that gap.

This pilot project:

  • Installed 23 streetlight-based EV chargers in six council districts.

  • Demonstrated how existing infrastructure can be adapted with minimal disruption.

  • Expanded EV access for renters, multi-family residents, taxis, and ride-share drivers.

  • Used LED streetlight upgrades to leverage spare electrical capacity.

How Sites Were Chosen

The project used a two-tiered, data- and community-driven approach:

  • Demand modeling to predict high-use areas based on traffic patterns and points of interest.

  • Equity analysis to prioritize areas with low EV access, higher multi-family housing, and underserved communities.

Every location was evaluated for technical feasibility, community benefit, and cost-effectiveness. Community input helped refine site choices to better serve neighborhoods citywide.

Measuring Success

Since installation, all 23 chargers are actively being used. Early results show:

  • Chargers near parks, shops, and community centers see the highest use.

  • Usage is strong across income levels, showing broad community benefits.

  • Lessons learned from this pilot will shape future installations and investments.

The pilot also developed new permitting and installation processes to streamline future curbside charging projects in Kansas City.

Project Partners

  • Black & McDonald
  • City of Kansas City, MO
  • Evergy
  • EVNoire
  • LilyPad EV
  • National Renewable Energy Lab
  • Pennsylvania State University

Charging Locations

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under the Award Number DE-EE008474.

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