Extracted Data From: Alternative Fuels Data Center

This submission includes publicly available data extracted in its original form. Please reference the Related Publication listed here for source and citation information If you have questions about the underlying data stored here, please contact the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at [e-mail]. If you have questions or recommendations related to this metadata entry and extracted data, please contact the CAFE Data Management team at: [e-mail]. "Data Collection Methods The data in the Alternative Fueling Station Locator are gathered and verified through a variety of methods. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) obtains information about new stations from trade media, Clean Cities and Communities coalitions, the Submit New Station form on the Station Locator website, and through collaborating with infrastructure equipment and fuel providers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and industry groups. Users submitting updates through the "Submit New Station" or "Report a Change" forms will receive an email confirmation of their submittal. NREL will verify station details before the station is added or updated in the Station Locator. The turnaround time for updates will depend on the completeness of the information provided, as well as the responsiveness of the station or point of contact. NREL regularly compares its station data with those of other relevant trade organizations and websites. Differences in methodologies, data confirmation, and inclusion criteria may result in slight variations between NREL's database and those maintained by other organizations. NREL also collaborates with alternative fuel industry groups to identify discrepancies in data and develop data sharing processes and best practices. NREL and its data collection subcontractor are currently collaborating with natural gas, electric drive, biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen, and propane industry groups to ensure best practices are being followed for identifying new stations and confirming station changes in the most-timely manner possible. Station Update Schedule Most existing stations in the database are contacted at least once a year on an established schedule to verify they are still operational and providing the fuel specified. Based on an established data collection schedule, the database is updated on an ongoing basis. Stations that are no longer operational or no longer provide alternative fuel are removed from the database as they are identified. Public and private non-networked electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are proactively verified every other year, with half of the EV charging stations verified each year. Additionally, all private EV charging stations at multi-family housing are verified every other year. This difference in the update schedule for non-networked EV charging stations accommodates the growing number of EV charging stations in the Station Locator. NREL will continue to make updates to any station record if changes are reported. Mapping and Counting Methods Each point on the map is counted as one station in the station count. A station appears as one point on the map, regardless of the number of fuel dispensers or electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) ports at that location. Station addresses are geocoded and mapped using an automatic geocoding application. The geocoding application returns the most accurate location based on the provided address. Station locations may also be provided by external sources (e.g., station operators) and/or verified in a geographic information system (GIS) tool. This information is considered highly accurate, and these coordinates override any information generated using the geocoding application. Notes about Specific Station Types Private Stations The Station Locator defaults to searching only for public stations. To include private stations in the search, use the Station button on the "Advanced Filters" tab. Stations with an access listing of "Private - Fleet customers only" may allow other entities to fuel through a business-to-business arrangement. For more information, fleet customers should refer to the information listed in the details section for that station and contact the station directly. The Station Locator includes information on private fleet fueling stations (e.g., transit bus fueling facilities, other medium- and heavy-duty fueling and charging infrastructure), workplace charging stations, and multi-family housing charging stations. Note that information on these stations is not always published online or in the data download but may be tracked only in the backend Station Locator database. Information tracked only in the backend database may be provided by request to the webmaster listed in the "More Information" section below. Public Restricted Access Stations Stations that are reserved for patrons of a business, such as guests of a hotel, visitors of a museum, or customers of a retail store, are...