Stantec hires Eric Plapper as Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Lead within Smart(ER) Mobility

Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, has hired Eric Plapper, AICP, to lead its Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure program in North America. His role will integrate the efforts of myriad Stantec experts who have been working on EV infrastructure, including urban planning, architecture, transit advisory, EV installation, and emerging technology practitioners. Eric’s addition comes as government funding for EV infrastructure projects has reached new levels, while private developers are actively seeking EV charging solutions.

The majority of EV infrastructure work in the United States will come from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program, a 5-year US $5 billion investment within the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. All State plans for using NEVI funding have been submitted and approved, so the next stage will be plan implementation.

“This is a major milestone in EV adoption in the US, and States are looking for assistance in setting up their programs,” said Eric Plapper, EV Infrastructure Lead at Stantec. “Stantec has the planning, project management, and technical expertise that States need for a successful program, and I’m thrilled to be joining the firm at this critical time.”

While NEVI is the immediate major trend in EV infrastructure, policy, planning, and infrastructure work will be part of the equation, as will transitioning fleets to EV. Community charging plans will also be an important next step for municipalities. Future work will include developing plans that enable charging at home and at work, during the day or overnight. While EV adoption in the US grew to 5% of all light vehicle sales in 2022, uneven charging distribution, charging time, and range anxiety continue to be challenges to advancing adoption, all of which have wider infrastructure implications. EV implementation plans will make sure EV technology is reliable and convenient, and will be key to the technology’s widespread adoption.

A certified planner with a Masters in City and Regional Planning from Ohio State University, Eric has a deep understanding of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program from leading key tasks for NEVI plans in Florida and North Dakota, as well as advising on plans in several others. Additionally, he has helped clients secure nearly $80 million in grant funding, including the successful Smart City Challenge application in Columbus, Ohio which sought smart mobility solutions to improve accessibility to medical services in the Linden community.

“EV adoption is the most exciting moment in transportation in a hundred years, and Eric is the right person to coordinate our efforts,” said Kate Jack, Smart(ER) Mobility sector leader, Stantec. “His unique set of skills and experience will help bring our full expertise to bear on client challenges and help form impactful community solutions.”

Stantec has been active in dozens of EV-related projects across North America and globally, including the Automated Circulator and Connected Pedestrian Safety Program (GoMed) in Las Vegas, and numerous Zero Emission Vehicle planning projects, particularly in the transit space. Some recent project wins include an EV Strategic Plan in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and EVSE charging, design, development and servicing in West Hartford.

Learn more about Electric Vehicle Infrastructure at Stantec.

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Media Contact
Colin Nekolaichuk
Stantec Media Relations
Ph: (437) 225-6384
colin.nekolaichuk@stantec.com