Looking Back, Moving Forward: A Q1 Reflection

Written By Cityfi

Guest Editor: Story Bellows

As the first quarter of 2025 gets smaller and smaller in our rearview mirror, it’s clear that uncertainty remains a defining feature of the moment—politically, economically, and environmentally. Yet amidst the turbulence, there are real reasons for optimism, driven by innovation, collaboration, and a continued push for equity and sustainability.

We’ve seen promising shifts in the mobility landscape: EV sales continue to climb (especially when you look beyond Tesla’s recent dip), New York City’s congestion pricing program is showing early signs of success, and host cities for the 2026 World Cup are coming together to design transportation systems that work not just for visitors, but for the people who live in and move through these places every day. These wins reflect what’s possible when cross-sector collaboration, community engagement, and intentional design come together.

Of course, challenges remain. Cities are still grappling with fiscal instability that threatens core services and long-term investments. And while federal programs have been essential in shoring up resilience and advancing innovation, we’re now seeing the sunsetting of one of the most impactful efforts—the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. As it winds down, we want to recognize the outsized impact this small but mighty team has had and celebrate the leadership of Cityfi friend and former JOET director, Gabe Klein, whose vision helped shape a more connected, sustainable transportation future.

At Cityfi, our Q1 has been marked by supporting partners navigating these opportunities and challenges—helping cities, companies, and communities move from intention to action. In this newsletter, we highlight some of that work, reflect on where we’ve been, and share what’s giving us hope for the road ahead.

Municipal Budget Resilience: A New Era of Uncertainty

 
 

By Camron Bridgford
 
Over a series of months during the first year of COVID, Cityfi virtually hosted budget directors from a cohort of cities, including Detroit, Miami, Philadelphia, and Macon-Bibb County, to advise and talk about the importance of municipal budget resilience during that unforgettable period of instability and uncertainty. The cohort, funded by the Knight Foundation, provided these cities with the space to discuss challenges and innovative strategies to serve their communities and continue to provide critical services and programs when the world was all but shut down.
 
Today, with the shifting political landscape at the federal level - which has come with a series of funding freezes, contract cancellations and delays, and changing policy priorities often in direct conflict with cities’ current projects and programs - municipal budget directors are again facing new uncertainty that both mirrors and diverges from the budget challenges experienced during the initial onset of COVID.
 
While COVID brought a consolidated and universal fight against a scary unknown, as well as an influx of funding through measures such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, today’s federal landscape has affected cities (and counties) differently depending on their size, geography, political affiliations, and traditional revenue sources. Typical reliable sources of funding, such as community development block grants, are being affected. Depending on the jurisdiction, some cities are grappling with looming federal changes to health and human services, as well as education, that will affect how they can serve their communities. In addition to political changes, budget directors are also grappling with other threats, such as a potential looming recession, higher costs of living, homelessness and a slowing job market.
 
In short - whether a city garners revenue from sales tax, property tax, enterprise funds, or any other number of sources - most budget directors find themselves right now at the drawing board as they prepare their 2026 budget and try to plan for a number of potentially unknown and difficult scenarios.
 
Today, the key lessons from Cityfi’s 2020 budget resilience program are still relevant:

  • Budget based on the outcomes a city wants to see for its community, to determine which expenses (and programs and services) should truly be prioritized.

  • Explore new revenue generation streams, such as leasing, fees, permit usage fees, among others, while keeping in mind where the burden of that increased revenue may lie.

  • Lean into in-kind and cost savings where possible, such as using data to find efficiencies, co-creating programs and services with partners, and finding new uses for underutilized assets.

  • Consider the plethora of non-government actors, such as the private sector, non-profits, and academia, and how partnering with these entities can relieve burdens on municipalities (and vice versa).

Are you a municipal leader, budget director or otherwise, who is grappling with the challenges of the changing political landscape, and how this will affect your upcoming budgeting, revenue streams, and prioritization of programs and services? What other challenges, trends or opportunities are you seeing in your city or county?
 
We would love to hear from you as we continue to assess the state of municipalities to better equip them to scenario plan, make strategic decisions, and collaborate with peer cities and partners to determine the best way forward. Please reach out to Camron to start a discussion!

State of the EV Industry

 
 

By Kyle Ragan
 
The electric vehicle (EV) industry has experienced its share of ups and downs over the past decade. Early growth was slow—demand remained relatively flat, public charging infrastructure was limited, and the sector faced a classic chicken-and-egg dilemma: should investments lead or follow market share? While recent shifts in federal leadership have sparked renewed debate about the industry's trajectory, the market signals are clear—there’s no putting the car back in the garage.
 
Although businesses naturally prefer policy stability and consistent federal support, few in the industry expected the catalytic funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to last forever. Those investments were designed to jumpstart the transition, not sustain it indefinitely. And while the shift away from federal support may be arriving sooner and more abruptly than anticipated, the electrification of transportation is well underway.
 
In January 2021, EVs made up 2.9% of new vehicle sales, while in January 2025, that figure rose to 9.5%. This number is significantly higher in some states such as Colorado, California, and Washington all of which saw EVs make up more than 23% of new cars sold. Additionally, in the US there are approximately 2.5 used cars sold for every new vehicle. In the coming years, there will be an increasing number of used and affordable EVs available to consumers, further accelerating overall market share.
 
Charging infrastructure has also expanded. Since the beginning of 2021, there has been a 91% increase in publicly available L2 charging and a more than 200% increase in DCFC. Additionally, in urban areas, it is estimated that 60% of drivers live less than a mile from a charging port. While there is clear momentum, more work must be done to ensure continued growth.
 
Continued communication and collaboration. One of the key challenges—and opportunities—of the EV transition is that it demands an unprecedented level of integration between energy and transportation leaders. Historically, these systems operated in silos. Before the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which channeled billions of dollars through state Departments of Transportation (DOTs), most EV-related funding was administered through the Volkswagen Settlement, typically managed by state Departments of Environment or Air Quality.
 
The creation of the Federal Joint Office of Energy and Transportation marked a pivotal shift, offering a national model for cross-sector collaboration. In response, state and local governments across the country have increased coordination across agencies in ways that were previously uncommon. Equally important is the role of utilities, whose involvement is essential to advancing EV infrastructure projects and mitigating impacts on the electrical distribution system.
 
Although significant progress has been made in recent years, ongoing coordination is crucial. Stakeholders must continue working toward a shared understanding and holistic approach to planning and deploying new infrastructure. Bridging the knowledge and communication gaps between energy and transportation leaders may seem like a "soft" objective—but in practice, it is one of the most difficult and impactful challenges we face. Strengthening this collaboration may well be one of the most powerful levers for enabling a successful and equitable EV transition.
 
Matching charging infrastructure to charging use cases. The largest share of federal EV funding has been directed toward accelerating the buildout of Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. This investment is critical to reducing range anxiety and ensuring drivers have access to fast charging on longer trips.

However, it's important to recognize that even EVs with smaller battery ranges are capable of meeting most Americans’ daily driving needs. In fact, 51% of trips that Americans take are under 6 miles and 87% of trips are under 20 miles. This means that Level 2 charging is sufficient to meet the majority of charging needs for most drivers.

Despite this, major barriers remain—especially for people without access to home charging, such as renters and residents of multifamily housing. While DCFC will continue to play a vital role in specific scenarios, including highway corridors, fleet operations, and rideshare services, expanding access to public and multifamily Level 2 charging is essential. Prioritizing this infrastructure will help close critical access gaps and significantly accelerate the EV transition.

Developing innovative partnerships and business models. As we look ahead to the next phase of transportation electrification, partnerships will be more important than ever to maintain—and even accelerate—the industry’s momentum.
 
These partnerships can take many forms. Charging stations can evolve into multi-use hubs that support additional services and community needs. Collaborations between fleet operators and charging providers can help de-risk projects and speed up the deployment of public charging infrastructure. Meanwhile, as more vehicles become electric, there's an opportunity to tap into an underutilized asset: the parked car. With the average vehicle sitting idle 95% of the day, electrified vehicles can support the grid by offering services such as demand response and ancillary grid support. This not only reduces the need for costly upgrades to the distribution system but also opens up new revenue streams for drivers and fleet operators.
 
As these innovative models and partnerships take shape, local governments will play a critical role. Even if they are not the primary funders, they must continue to coordinate, enable, and support the deployment of EV charging infrastructure in ways that align with long-term community and climate goals.
 
For those interested in continuing the conversation on innovative partnership models, I will be hosting a panel discussion with leaders from Voltpost, Kaluza, and Revel at DC Climate Week on Friday, May 2nd. Let’s talk!

Congestion Pricing: Now is the Time to Act

 

Image Source:  AP News

 

By Marla Westervelt and Sarah Saltz
 
Imagine you live in a major American city - maybe Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, or one of the many other cities that experience problematic traffic congestion. Planning out your day can be challenging. You have a doctor’s appointment on one side of town, you need to pick up your kids from soccer practice in another part of town, and have an evening meeting to attend in yet another part of town. This logistical challenge can be extremely frustrating if not impossible to solve. And sometimes the stakes are incredibly high - being late could mean losing your job or missing an important event in a loved one’s life.
 
Yet, in January, with the introduction of congestion pricing in New York City, urban residents learned that there is a better alternative. Since its launch, congestion pricing - a policy tool that uses pricing to manage supply and demand - has reduced vehicle entries into the Central Business District by 7.5%, or about 43,000 fewer cars per day. This has improved commute times across the cities. It now takes 40% less time to cross certain rivers and express buses from outer boroughs are saving riders as much as 10 minutes per trip. Perhaps most compellingly, this policy has already generated nearly $100 million in new revenue for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) over the first two months of the program, providing much-needed investment for a transit system that millions rely on.
 
This success is causing a ripple effect across the country. Cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, and others that have studied congestion pricing for years are now seeing a clear, homegrown proof point that the strategy can work here in the U.S. With many public transit agencies facing looming budget deficits—Chicago’s CTA is staring down a $770 million shortfall by 2026, and Pittsburgh’s PRT is seeking a $117 million funding increase just to stay afloat—the timing couldn’t be more critical. At the same time, car ownership is becoming more expensive, driven by inflation, supply chain disruptions, and potential tariffs that could increase vehicle costs by thousands of dollars overnight.
 
Congestion pricing offers a way forward—but adopting it successfully means more than copying New York’s approach. As we highlight in our full blog post, cities must begin with a clear and compelling vision that resonates with their residents. They must also ensure that drivers have viable alternatives, by investing in transit service, bike infrastructure, and mobility options that make shifting away from solo car travel both realistic and appealing. Finally, they must build strong, diverse coalitions—from business leaders to community organizations—to ensure the program reflects local values and earns public trust.
 
At Cityfi, we’re working with cities to help bring these pieces together. Using the Eno Center for Transportation’s congestion pricing playbook, we help leaders think through the hard questions, align on shared goals, and design programs that are equitable, effective, and built to last. The policy window is open—but seizing the moment will require political courage, community engagement, and a clear commitment to long-term change.
 
Want to explore this moment of transformation in greater depth? Visit our blog to read the full article by Marla and Sarah, where we dive into the details, unpack the lessons from New York, and outline a roadmap for other cities ready to take the lead.

ITSA Reverse Pitch to Improve Getting to the Pitch

 
 

By Chrissy Anecito and Carolina de Urquijo
 
As eleven U.S. regions prepare to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup Games, they face the overwhelming challenge of moving millions of people, from multiple countries, safely and efficiently in dense urban environments. To help these regions prepare for this massive undertaking, Cityfi partnered with ITS America, LA Metro, and the U.S. Department of Transportation to create an Innovation Cohort and Accelerator. The cohort consisted of transit and transportation representatives from all eleven host regions. Over three months, the cohort convened to discuss shared challenges and potential solutions in advance of the Games. Ultimately, the goal of the cohort was to identify a set of shared challenges that the ITS sector could address through existing or tailor made solutions, and leverage the buying power of the cohort to catalyze innovative technology development.
 
Following the conclusion of the cohort meetings, ITS America and Cityfi issued a Reverse Pitch Challenge to the private sector, highlighting problem statements that the cohort identified, and calling for innovative solutions. Proposers were asked to submit projects that addressed one or more of the identified problem statements that could feasibly deploy in one or more of the World Cup host regions within the expedited timeline. A review panel including representatives from ITS America, the National Operations Center of Excellence, the former U.S. DOT Chief Scientist, and Cityfi reviewed the proposals, and selected the top 10 proposals.
 
This week, the selected proposers pitched their solutions to Innovation Cohort members. The group heard ten impressive pitches, each offering thoughtful, tangible solutions to the complex problem statements cohort members designed. We heard ideas ranging from comprehensive and fully interoperable approaches to inclusive mobility navigation to innovative approaches to crowd management. Global events like the World Cup provide an exciting opportunity for cities to test solutions for unique challenges, while leveraging these technologies to address entrenched problems for day-to-day transportation needs.  
 
Cityfi thrives in efforts like these—where we bring together public agencies, private innovators, and civic stakeholders to drive creative thinking and bold collaboration. It's in this cross-sector space that the most transformative solutions emerge, and it's the kind of work that is more urgent and necessary than ever for our cities. Please reach out and let us know if you have an idea we can help with.

Demonstrations in DC - Request for Information

Deadline is May 7th

DC Mobility Innovation District (DC MID) launches Call for Projects!

The DC MID seeks innovative solutions and support from private-sector partners to address key mobility challenges in Washington, DC. Through this Request for Information (RFI), the DC MID aims to identify viable solutions and support needed to demonstrate cutting-edge transportation technologies, business models, and infrastructure improvements. Focus areas include first/last-mile transportation, e-mobility charging, safe streets, event congestion, and curb management. 
 
The DC MID offers unique support, including partnership development, community insights, site host locations, government liaisons, and storytelling opportunities.

📌 Key Focus Areas:

  • First/Last Mile Transportation

  • Access to E-Mobility Charging

  • Safe Streets 

  • Event Congestion 

  • Curb Management

💡 Deadline: May 7th, 2025

🔗 Learn more at this link

Have a groundbreaking mobility solution? Apply today here

The Cityfi Cluster (NEW!)

By Ryan Parzick
 
Ever play the New York Times Connections game? We are creating our own Cityfi version for you to play! If you haven’t played before, that’s OK. The rules are simple - but hopefully, solving the game is not! The challenge: group the 16 words into 4 groups of 4. Each group has a unifying theme. You get one shot, so make it count. If you think you have the correct solution, please email us with your 4 groups (you must provide the unifying theme) and the 4 words contained in each theme. An example of a unifying theme could be “Types of Animals” containing the words:  “dog,” “cat,” “rabbit,” “deer.”

We’ll keep score throughout the year to crown the 2025 Cityfi Cluster Champion. The answer will be posted in our next newsletter. If you want your score to count, please submit your answer before May 3rd.

Let’s GO!

Where in the World is Cityfi?

Check out where Cityfi will be in the upcoming weeks. We may be speaking at conferences, leading workshops, hosting events, and/or actively engaging in collaborative learning within the community. We would love to see you.

CoMotion Miami - Miami, FL - April 29 - 30

As a long-time partner to CoMotion, Cityfi is pleased to join leading global mobility innovators once more in the Magic City for two days of programs, panels, workshops and demonstrations. CoMotion MIAMI is energizing convergence of leading edge technology with thought-leading agencies.

Flipping the Script:  How Reverse Pitches are Powering Public Innovation - Wednesday, April 30th (1:15 PM - 2:30 PM)
 
Partner Karina Ricks will be moderating a panel of public and private experts exploring the growing momentum behind reverse pitch challenges - where the public sector defines the problem and invites the private sector to respond with bold, actionable solutions. Panelists will examine how this model helps bridge gaps, accelerate deployment, and align innovation with real-world needs (see the article above ☝️ by Chrissy and Caro for details on the reverse pitch we helped create for preparation for the 2026 World Cup). We look forward to seeing you there!

DC Climate Week - Washington, DC - April 28 - May 2

Charging Ahead:  Innovative Partnerships and Business Models for Accelerating EV Infrastructure - Friday, May 2nd (3:05 PM - 3:50 PM)
 
Principal Kyle Ragan will be a part of the discussion on the future of electric vehicle charging with a group of industry experts from Revel, Voltpost, and Kaluza. Get an insiders’ view of how the world of EV chargers is evolving and how creative partnerships are facilitating their deployment. You can register HERE.
 
DC Mobility Innovation District Walking Tours - Friday, May 2nd (8:30 AM - 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM - 12:30 AM)
 
Join our friends at the DC MID on a walking tour (offered twice!) where participants will explore the Capitol Riverfront and Southwest DC neighborhoods. These neighborhoods offer valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of building a resilient and forward-thinking transportation network. The tour will feature a variety of technology use cases already in place, and they aim to include demonstrations from companies not currently operating in the DC MID. To learn more and register for these tours,please visit the 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM tour pages.

ITS European Congress - Seville, ES - May 19 - 21

As one of his specialties, Senior Principal Evan Costagliola’s experience and knowledge on cross border collaboration will be on display as a panelist at the ITS European Congress in May. Check out our LinkedIn page for more details as they are finalized.

NACTO Designing Cities - Washington, DC - May 28 - 31

The annual NACTO Designing Cities Conference brings together over 1,000 people passionate about advancing the state of transportation in North American cities—engineers, planners, government agency leaders, elected officials, advocates, and other transportation professionals of all career levels. Partner Karina Ricks will be participating on multiple panels, which is always both entertaining and highly informative!

How Do We Navigate the New Federal Policy Environment? - Wednesday, May 28 (3:45 PM - 5:00 PM)
 
Join Karina for a panel that will explore the evolving landscape of federal transportation policy, including recent shifts in priorities, funding, and regulations—and what these changes mean. Discover how these shifts are reshaping the mobility and infrastructure landscape, and hear ideas on how to meet the needs of our communities.
 
Confessions of a Shared Mobility Planner - Thursday, May 29 (3:30 PM - 4:45 PM)
 
Karina is at it again - this time as a panel participant discussing how one builds and manages a system that continually evolves. In the two decades since bike share systems started appearing in North America, a lot has already changed, including the introduction of dockless scooters and bikes. Shared devices provide ease of access to users, but add complications for municipalities. Join her for a casual, facilitated conversation with three communities about the basics: what to include in an RFP, how to balance subsidies, what devices to select, and where to park the dang things. They’ll cover everything from subsidies and contract structures, to geofences and device selection. At a minimum, you will learn what NOT to do!

Chicago City Builders Book Club - Chicago, IL - May 29

If you live in Chicago, check out the Cityfi sponsored Chicago City Builders Book Club typically every 4th Wednesday of each month (this one is on a Thursday!). Principal Marla Westervelt co-hosts this monthly book club where we bring together professional city builders to discuss Chicago-centric books that explore local urban and political issues. Come join us for an evening of food, drinks, and discussions with other local wonks. Next month’s book is Fire on the Prairie:  Chicago’s Harold Washington and the Politics of Race by Gary Rivlin. You can learn more and reserve your spot HERE. Questions? Reach out to Marla!

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