Patrick Administration Celebrates Key Investments in Electric Vehicles as Part of National Drive Electric Week in Massachusetts
Officials Tout EVs, Charging Infrastructure in Somerville, Marlborough and Wellesley
BOSTON – September 18, 2014 - Patrick Administration energy and environmental officials today celebrated National Drive Electric Week by driving electric vehicles (EVs) on a three-city tour promoting public incentive programs and private investments in zero-emission vehicles and electric charging infrastructure.
“We are committed to deploying innovative strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, bolster our energy independence and grow our clean energy economy,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “Our commitment, along with seven other governors, to getting more zero-emission vehicles in the eight states is a challenge I look forward to meeting, as it will have a strong impact on reducing harmful pollutants and promoting a more sustainable environment for future generations.”
Undersecretary for Environment Martin Suuberg first stopped by Marlboro Nissan to celebrate the dealer’s success selling the most electric vehicles eligible for the Department of Energy Resources’ Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) program. MOR-EV provides rebates of up to $2,500 for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. All residents of the Commonwealth are eligible for these incentives, which are funded with $2 million in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction proceeds.
Undersecretary Suuberg then co-hosted an event in Wellesley celebrating John Hancock management’s support of providing charging at work and inviting office park tenants and others in the community to share information about EVs. John Hancock applied for funding to install 16 charging stations through the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) Workplace Charging Program that offers incentives to employers for the acquisition of Level 1 and Level 2 EV charging stations. With $1.4 million in available funding, this program will remain open until all funds have been expended. As of September 12, 145 charging points have been funded at 70 different workplaces for use by employees.
“Over the lifetime of an electric vehicle, owners can reduce fuel consumption by more than 4,000 gallons of gasoline, reduce fuel costs by thousands of dollars, and cut their reliance on foreign oil,” said Undersecretary Suuberg. “Charging an EV at work is an important employee benefit, creating confidence they can run their errands and take extra trips in their EV after work. Giving co-workers a chance to see EVs and ask peers about their experience will help accelerate EV sales. Plus, these cars are fun to drive!”
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner David W. Cash visited Somerville City Hall to highlight MassEVIP. The program is making available $2.5 million in incentives to Massachusetts public and private entities, including municipalities, state fleets, universities and colleges and driver’s education schools, to acquire EVs and charging stations. To date, MassEVIP has awarded more than $1.1 million for 115 electric vehicles and 40 Level 2 dual-head charging stations and is currently accepting applications under Phase 3 of MassEVIP until funding runs out. Somerville’s Office of Sustainability and Environment applied for and received funding for 16 plug-in vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations.
“This incentive program is intended to encourage and increase the deployment of zero-emission and plug-in hybrid vehicles that will provide significant air pollution emission reductions, while boosting our clean energy economy,” said Commissioner Cash. “These programs are designed to make electric vehicles mainstream. Soon it won’t be special to see them on drive-thru lines, parked on your street or in company or municipal fleets.”
“Automobile travel is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve the aggressive GHG reductions required by our Global Warming Solutions Act, we need to make changes to the fuel efficiency of our cars, and the carbon content of the fuels they use,” said Ned Codd, MassDOT’s Assistant Secretary for GreenDOT. “Electric vehicles can help us to achieve these reductions, and the new models we are seeing now, if combined with a robust charging network, can allow us to do it without compromising performance or convenience.”
In October 2013, Governor Patrick signed a Zero-Emission Vehicle Program Memorandum of Understanding with seven other states’ governors to increase the number of clean energy vehicles on the road. Of the overall goal to achieve 3.3 million electric vehicles on the road by 2025, Massachusetts’ portion is 300,000.
The initiatives mentioned today will encourage increased deployment of advanced technology vehicles in Massachusetts, improve air quality, reduce reliance on foreign oil and help Massachusetts attain the Patrick Administration’s aggressive emission reduction goals set under the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA). The Clean Energy and Climate Plan goal, created under the GWSA, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. The transportation sector generates more than one-third of the greenhouse gas emissions produced in Massachusetts. The Clean Energy and Climate Plan requires the transportation sector to reduce GHG emissions 7.6 percent by 2020.
From September 15 through September 21, National Drive Electric Week events are taking place in more than 140 cities. Expected to draw tens of thousands, the fourth annual National Drive Electric Week, is designed to highlight the fun, convenience, fuel cost-savings, and clean air benefits of plug-in electric vehicles. Events include test drives, informational booths, proclamations by public officials, and other activities in which the public will be able to learn about the benefits of plug-in cars from their neighbors who drive them. Organized at the national level by Sierra Club, Plug In America, and the Electric Auto Association, dozens of other organizations and agencies are organizing events at the local level.
"I look forward to cheering government officials, auto dealers, and business leaders who are speeding the transition to electric cars in the Commonwealth at these Drive Electric Week events in Massachusetts this week," said Gina Coplon-Newfield, the national Sierra Club's director of Future Fleet & Electric Vehicles Initiative. "I plan to drive my own plug-in vehicle to the events and will be glad to answer questions about why plug-in cars are cleaner, cheaper to fuel, and more fun than conventional vehicles.”
“Somerville is fortunate to have partners at the state level like Gov. Patrick, Commissioner Cash and the dedicated Massachusetts officials who are helping us strive for our ambitious goal of becoming a net zero carbon emissions city by 2050,” said Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “Cities are collectively responsible for over 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions across the planet. If each city sweats the small, local stuff, we can make a big global change. Converting more of our fleet to electric vehicles is an important step towards our goal, and is not only better for the planet and our health but for our taxpayers’ wallets by reducing the city’s fuel costs.”
“Nissan is committed to EV and EV deployment. We are very excited to see that the public response to the Patrick Administration’s MOR-EV rebate program has been tremendous. The program is not only successful for the Commonwealth, but for Nissan, and we look forward to this continued collaboration,” said Stephen Burack, area general manager for New England Nissan North America.
“John Hancock has continued its commitment to environmental sustainability initiatives by partnering with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in its Electric Vehicle (EV) Incentive Program,” said Paul M. Crowley, Vice President and Managing Director, U.S. Asset Management, John Hancock Financial Services. “We are pleased to work with the state on this important program and install 16 EV Charging Stations at Wellesley Office Park. This is part of John Hancock's broader plan to invest in charging stations at appropriate locations throughout its Real Estate portfolio in the United States. These initiatives demonstrate John Hancock's commitment to preserve the quality of our environment by expanding access to electric vehicle infrastructure to our tenants and employees.”
The Patrick Administration’s aggressive clean energy initiatives have made Massachusetts a leader in energy efficiency, renewable energy and emissions reductions. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has named Massachusetts number one for three years running. Governor Patrick set a new solar goal after reaching the previous goal of 250 megawatts four years early. The Commonwealth now aims to install 1,600 megawatts of solar capacity by 2020. The clean energy revolution is yielding economic benefits as well, with 11.8 percent job growth in the last year and 24 percent growth in the last two years; nearly 80,000 people are employed in the clean tech industry in Massachusetts.
