Introduction: Creating an EV Charging Ecosystem in the DMV

I have always been interested in environmentalism. While often framed as concerns for the future, issues such as emissions and global warming are problems that require future-facing solutions today. I believe it is the responsibility of the current generation to come together to drive change. That is what led me to seek out an internship with the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities coalition. After starting an internship there, I was given several options for projects to choose from. I became interested in the Mid-Atlantic Electrification Partnership (M.A.E.P.), where the aim is to create an EV ecosystem in the DMV. Effective electric vehicle station placement is a significant part of the electrification issue and a priority for the organization. From a learning perspective, I saw this project as a way to explore my interests in data and technical analysis while contributing to this important mission. It also provides me with the opportunity to work hands-on with real public data and develop familiarity with new technical tools, such as ArcGIS. I am excited that this project will allow me to further develop my technical capabilities and strengthen my understanding of data analysis tools, while also contributing to a real-world issue I care about. It also provides an opportunity to observe how data shapes the world around me in real time.