Chris Bast is the Director of EV Infrastructure Investments for the Electrification Coalition. He leads the organization’s work to manage and support federally funded charging infrastructure and EV deployment projects at the state and local levels.

Chris has over 15 years of advocacy and government experience working on climate and clean energy and transportation issues. Prior to joining the EC, Chris served as chief deputy director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. He provided strategic communications and policy support for the agency and worked across the Northam Administration to advance a comprehensive climate agenda. His work included transportation decarbonization, environmental justice, climate policy, and carbon markets.

Chris received his undergraduate degree from James Madison University, where he currently serves on the Political Science Alumni Board. He received his MPA from Seattle University.