What is the Utah Intelligent Electrified Transportation Action Plan?

The Utah Intelligent Electrified Transportation Action Plan is a bold, forward-thinking initiative designed to transform the state’s transportation infrastructure.

Market Driven

Community Led

Public Informed

Fact-Based

Established by Utah Legislature in 2023 (Senate Bill 125), this comprehensive plan outlines our vision for a reliable and intelligent electrified transportation system that will serve Utah for decades to come.

Led by a coalition of industry experts, policymakers, and community stakeholders, the Action Plan addresses the critical steps needed to design, fund, and implement an electrified transportation network that seamlessly integrates with our existing infrastructure.

Utah’s Electrified Transportation plan aligns with current 10-year transportation planning phases and is regionally adapted to meet the needs of Utahns for an enhanced quality of life. 

This is the Place

Leading with innovative solutions, Utah is uniquely positioned to deploy an electrified transportation system. The state’s diverse climates and elevations — ranging from hot deserts to high alpine terrain — present year-round challenges, including extreme weather conditions. 

Additionally, Utah’s rural communities are spread across vast open spaces, agricultural lands — with scenic mountain valleys and basins — requiring cutting-edge connectivity solutions. Meanwhile, the urban corridor’s ideal size in both geography and population makes it a perfect proving ground for a comprehensive electrified transportation system that can be scaled to smaller and larger urban areas nationwide and globally.

Our Priorities

Guided by Utah Code 53B-18-1805 and 53B-18-1806, Utah’s electrified transportation strategy prioritizes community needs, stakeholder collaboration, and long-term planning. With a focus on innovation, workforce development, and infrastructure gaps, the state is building a resilient system that positions Utah as a national leader in transportation electrification.

Balance

Simultaneously manage stakeholder interests while building an electrified transportation system informed by the needs of Utah’s citizens.

Community

Uses a communitycentric, researchinformed approach that balances data with community needs and perspectives.

Awareness

Build awareness among stakeholders, industry partners, state and federal agencies of Utah’s progress in leading the nation as we electrify our transportation system.

Collaboration

Attract industry partners and federal investment to the state. Collaboration in design, development, and delivery of the systems is crucial to implementation.

Horizons

Focus on 10-, 20-, 30-year horizons that guide development of the system and programming of funds for its implementation.

Utah's Ideal Electrified Transportation System

Utah’s Ideal Electrified Transportation System (ETS) represents a visionary approach to modern transportation, seamlessly integrating cutting-edge research, development, and planning. This system is designed to scale efficiently, from local to regional levels, ensuring that hardware and charging infrastructure are deployed with precision. By harmonizing transportation and power systems, and incorporating local and regional needs, the ETS is poised to create a connected, cleaner, and more affordable future for all Utahns. 

Utah’s Ideal ETS Includes the Following Features:

Charging Stations

Options range from private (home), semi-private (workplace, or fleet), to public stations.

Shared Infrastructure

Leverage existing intermodal hubs to reduce costs of integration while reaching the highest number of users.

Onsite
Battery Storage

To reduce peak demand during charging.

Utility Managed

Clean energy generation.

Intelligent Systems

Optimized efficiency comes from intelligent electrical grid and traffic management systems.

In-Motion Charging

Electrified roadways can wirelessly charge vehicles as they drive.

Overhead
Bus Charging

Fast direct charging for transit.

Battery-Electric
Trains

Zero-emissions regional / commuter transit.

Electrified Light Rail

A cleaner alternative for local, fast transit.

Extreme Fast Charging

Distributed throughout the state — even rural areas and National Parks.

Electrified Vertiports

For fully electric advanced air mobility (AAM).

Fully Connected Communities

Allow the grid to deliver more clean energy, on demand.

Project Roadmap

The Utah Intelligent Electrified Transportation Action Plan, established in 2023 by SB125, is a living document and planning process. It is and will continue to be designed to identify market-driven electrification projects with scaled integration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why pursue electrified transportation?

We’re at a critical junction as access to transportation is crucial to maintain and improve quality of life, yet our current infrastructure is aging and in need of an update. Electrifying transportation with innovative technologies presents an opportunity to improve air quality and reduce shipping costs as we renovate and rebuild our aging transportation infrastructure, while training the next generation’s workforce. 

Transformations target the transportation and electric utility industries, leading to significant growth in domestic jobs and energy production, improved air quality, and public health. Given that vehicles account for half of Utah’s winter air pollution, electrifying our transportation with efficient, accessible, and affordable mobility is perhaps the single-most important step that can be taken to significantly improve our air quality in time for the Olympic Games in 2034. 

ASPIRE is preparing Utah’s Electrification Plan under the leadership and direction of a seven-member Steering Committee chaired by the Utah Department of Transportation’s executive director with the assistance of an Industry Advisory Board to offer guidance for the strategic planning and development of the initiative.

ASPIRE has been building cutting-edge research at the forefront of developing technology since its foundation. Our projects include innovative plug-in and wireless charging systems that are integrated into roadways, parking structures, and networking with the electric grid and traffic management systems. We are continually leveraging existing partnerships and building new relationships to further adoption of electrification.  

Our partnerships include ASPIRE, the project’s Steering Committee, and Industry Advisors. For more information, see our Participate page.