BOSTON – In an effort to create additional infrastructure across the Commonwealth, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that $13.1 million in grants have been awarded to 54 government and private entities under the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) to install 306 Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) electric vehicle charging ports at 150 locations. According to J.D. Power, DCFC stations take between 15 and 45 minutes to charge most passenger electric vehicles up to 80%.
On the South Shore, $344,000 has been awarded to public and private entities to install eight new electric vehicle charging ports. The Hingham Municipal Light Plant will receive four ports, the Blink Network in Norwell will receive two ports, and CCO Holdings in Scituate will receive two ports. All of the charging stations will be publicly accessible.
“This technology is readily available, and it is important that Massachusetts take steps like this so residents can feel secure in their decision to move towards electric vehicles,” said State Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “I appreciate the efforts made by the Baker-Polito Administration and MassDEP to expand charging options throughout the South Shore.”
"Investments in public charging infrastructure are seminal to our efforts to electrify the transportation sector and decarbonize our economy," said Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). "These grants for charging ports will go a long way toward supporting residents on the South Shore who already own electric vehicles, creating consumer confidence, and incentivizing the purchase of electric vehicles."
"Providing electric vehicle charging stations demonstrates the Commonwealth's commitment to mitigating climate change impact and reducing carbon emissions," said Representative Patrick Kearney (D-Scituate). “Increasing access to these charging stations along the South Shore is a huge boon to easing the many challenges our commuters are facing as they make personal decisions to reduce their carbon footprints."
“I am happy the administration has awarded two businesses in my district with these funds. This will continue to be a benefit for our constituents in Norwell,” said Rep. David DeCoste (R-Norwell)
The $13.1 million awarded includes $1.5 million from Massachusetts’ $75 million share of the $2.925 billion Environmental Mitigation Trust established nationally under the 2016 settlement between Volkswagen (VW) and the U.S. Department of Justice, and $11.6 million from the Massachusetts Climate Mitigation Trust. The Massachusetts VW Settlement Beneficiary Mitigation Plan (BMP) committed the Commonwealth to devoting the allowed 15 percent of VW funds to EV charging infrastructure, approximately $11.25 million. MassDEP also offers funding for Level 1 and Level 2 EV charging stations through the Public Access, Workplace and Fleet, and Multi-Unit Dwelling and Educational Campus charging programs.
To further expand the Commonwealth’s EV readiness, Massachusetts is working on a regional level with the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) to support the placement of EVs and charging stations throughout the region and to enhance the economic benefits associated with these vehicles. Additionally, some of the grantees plan to combine or leverage MassEVIP funding with make-ready infrastructure funding offered by National Grid and Eversource.
Under the DCFC program, all awardees must allow access to, and use of, the parking spaces and the EV charging station 24 hours per day, seven days a week. For each station installed, one parking space must be designated for plug-in EV use only and marked clearly through permanent, visible signage. Active enforcement is required.
On a national level, the Governors from nine states, including Massachusetts, announced a groundbreaking initiative in 2013 to put 3.3 million light-duty zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) on the road within a dozen years. As a first step in this plan, the governors in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont – later joined by New Jersey – signed a cooperative agreement that identifies specific actions these states will undertake, such as including ZEVs in their public fleets and developing common signage standards, to help build a robust national market for battery- and hydrogen-power electric cars.
For more information on the EV charging infrastructure programs administered by MassDEP, please visit the agency’s Volkswagen Diesel Settlements and Environmental Mitigation webpage here.