THE ISSUE: Danvers officials are starting to map out plans for the inclusion of electric vehicles in the community.
WHY IT MATTERS: Massachusetts recently passed legislation that gives communities more authority in the implementation of parking spaces, charging stations and changes to building codes to allow more electric vehicles on roadways over the next eight years.
Gerry Tuoti Wicked Local Newsbank EditorA new piece of state legislation will support Massachusetts energy officials' hope to see the number of electric vehicles on Bay State roads swell from 8,000 to 300,000 over the next eight years.
The bill, which the Legislature passed on the last day of its 2016 session and Gov. Charlie Baker signed on Jan. 13, is designed to bolster electric vehicle parking and charging options.
"Our administration is committed to improving the Commonwealth's transportation infrastructure and this legislation will give electric vehicle owners the confidence they need to travel our state roadways with access to charging stations," Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said in a statement. "We look forward to working with our state and municipal partners to find increased opportunities to integrate more electric and fuel efficient vehicles into their fleets to save taxpayer dollars and reduce emissions."
The legislation prohibits vehicle-charging stations from imposing subscription fees on drivers and allows for an update to the state building code that would require new homes and businesses to be pre-wired for electric vehicle charging.
It also gives communities the authority to establish electric-vehicle-only parking spaces and authorizes electric utilities to submit proposals to build publicly accessible charging stations.
Massachusetts lawmakers passed the legislation weeks after Baker's administration committed $12 million in new funding to an electric vehicle rebate program.
"By making electric vehicle charging and parking more convenient for Massachusetts residents, this bill is a key stop on the roadmap to clean transportation," said Emily Norton, Massachusetts director for the Sierra Club. "With oil from the transportation sector responsible for nearly 40 percent of the Commonwealth's climate-disrupting pollution, it is imperative that we speed up the transition to clean electric vehicles."
Danvers officials say they are just beginning to map out electric vehicle plans for the town and have no concrete steps laid out so far, but look forward to working with the new legislation.
"It's great that the legislation provides us with the opportunity to have a clear path," said Assistant Town Manager Robin Stein.
The town government hopes to get a couple of electric cars through a grant program, which would allow officials to see how they worked out in the town, according to Stein.
Officials are reviewing the new legislation to determine what it means for Danvers.
Stein explained she was initially concerned about the possible state building code modification that would require new businesses and homes to have the wiring in place for electric vehicles, but after speaking with the building inspector, learned that including such wiring wouldn't be too significant a change.
The town has not surveyed the Danvers community about its opinions on electric cars, but officials predict the community will be enthusiastic about increasing its adoption of electric vehicles.
"We take very seriously anything that's good for the earth," said Board of Selectman Chairman Diane Langlais. "We're usually ahead of the cycle, we've always been extremely aggressive in what is ecologically smart and efficient."
Purchasing cars
The state has a number of programs in place to encourage people to purchase electric vehicles. Massachusetts runs a rebate program, MOR-EV, which provides rebates of up to $2,500 to people who purchase or lease an electric vehicle. That's in addition to federal tax rebates of up to $7,500.
Prices on electric vehicles vary widely depending on the model, with many available for between $30,000 and $35,000. Luxury electric vehicles may cost more than $80,000.
Since its launch in June 2014, MOR-EV has provided a combined $6.6 million in rebates to more than 3,100 customers. The rebates are financed by carbon allowance auction proceeds from the multi-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
In 2015, Massachusetts launched Mass Drive Clean, a pilot program that offers electric vehicle test drives at employer-sponsored and public events. The goal of the program is to increase people's exposure to electric vehicles.
To date, it's reached more than 1,000 Massachusetts drivers. More than 80 percent of participating drivers said their opinions of electric vehicles improved after a test drive, and 68 percent said they were more likely to purchase an electric vehicle after getting to drive one.
Environmental advocates say electric cars represent a way to significantly reduce carbon emissions.
"We must be mindful of our greenhouse gas emissions, especially those emitted by our transportation sector," said state Sen. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton, a co-sponsor of the recent electric vehicle bill. "We need to lessen our dependence on fossil fuels and make it easier for owners of electric cars to use their vehicles while incentivizing the transition to zero-emission transportation."
Widespread electric vehicle adoption would create new demands on the power grid, since the vehicles would need to be plugged in to charge.
But Judith Judson, commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources, said she's confident the system will be able to handle emerging technologies. Electric vehicles, she added, also hold the potential to expand energy storage capabilities.
"Our goal and our mission at DOER is to create a clean, resilient energy future in the Commonwealth," Judson said. "We're planning for a future and ensuring the grid can handle new additions to our system, such as the installation of more solar projects and an increase in the number of electric vehicles."
Source: Massachusetts eyes lofty electric car goals, Danvers officials check out legislation
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