The company says this analytical capability aligns with the US government's Justice40 goal, which seeks to ensure that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments, including the US$7.5bn allocated to EV charging infrastructure under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), flow to disadvantaged communities.

Volta's PredictEV is an advanced infrastructure planning solution that analyses disparate data sources, including local mobility, demographic, commercial, and site-specific data, to provide high-resolution answers to key EV infrastructure questions around expected EV adoption, optimal charger locations, and the right mix of charging Infrastructure. 

It was used by Alabama's Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to develop its Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan, and its insights informed Volta's collaboration with the State of Michigan and DTE Energy. Southern Company, Southern California Edison, and Tucson Electric Power also use the tool. Volta's latest PredictEV capability includes the ability to integrate location data related to disadvantaged communities, helping government agencies develop and finalise EV charging deployment plans that are equitable and effective.

"An inclusive mobility ecosystem must be built as a resource for all communities, including those in lower-income and environmental justice-impacted areas, and our state has made a conscious effort to ensure these communities have the same mobility opportunities that other regions do," said Michigan's chief mobility officer, Trevor Pawl. "Thanks to the availability of disadvantaged community data, we can further optimise our EV mobility solutions to support Michigan's residents as they move around the state."