Fairfax County is paving the way for an electrifying future with its first Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness Strategy — a roadmap to support the growing number of electric vehicles on our roads. From public charging stations to building codes, this strategy will help shape how the county prepares for an EV-friendly future.
Fairfax County wants more people to use electric vehicles (EVs) to help cut down on harmful emissions, as outlined in Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) and the county’s Operational Energy Strategy. EVs are better for the environment and cost less to operate and maintain than gas or diesel vehicles.
Currently, 3% of cars registered in Fairfax County are electric. The county’s goal is for 15% of all cars registered in the area to be electric by 2030. The county is also working to transition county vehicles to electric.
Ensuring more vehicle charging stations are available is key to reaching these goals. It also helps make sure everyone, no matter where they live or their income level, can enjoy the benefits of electric vehicles.
Electric Vehicle Registrations in Fairfax County (2016-2024)
Sources: MWCOG and DMV. Note: EV registration data was missing from 2021 and LDV registration data was missing from 2021 and 2022. Linear projections were assumed.
| Year | Battery EVs | Plug-In Hybrid EVs | Total EVs | EV Registrations Percentage | Total Light-Duty Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | N/A | N/A | 37,193 | N/A | N/A |
| 2023 | 22,249 | 6,806 | 29,055 | 3.35% | 867,608 |
| 2022 | 13,405 | 5,143 | 18,548 | 2.14% | 868,248 |
| 2021 | 10,020 | 3,766 | 13,786 | 1.59% | 868,889 |
| 2020 | 6,635 | 2,388 | 9,023 | 1.04% | 869,529 |
| 2016 | 1,212 | 1,035 | 2,247 | 0.26% | 876,572 |
Fairfax County partnered with AECOM, a consulting firm, to study Fairfax County’s EV charging trends and predict future growth in EVs. The study found gaps in the current charging network and suggested ways to add more charging options. It also looked at possible funding sources and how to pay for the improvements.
The project included two components:
Fairfax County knows that public input and diverse perspectives are key to making the EV Readiness Strategy successful. Staff held a town hall and invited community feedback through a public comment period. The ideas and comments shared by Fairfax County residents were included in the strategy. Thank you to all the Fairfax County residents who shared their comments!
View the recording of the townhall and a transcript of the questions and answers.
The final strategy was submitted to the Board of Supervisors and made available to the community in November 2025.
