Patrick Administration Announces $3.4M for Electric Vehicle Rebate Program and Charging Station Grant Program
BILLERICA
– Wednesday, June 18, 2014 – The Patrick Administration today announced
that applications are being accepted for two programs aimed at growing
the number of electric vehicles (EV) on the road in Massachusetts,
including a rebate program for drivers purchasing or leasing a new EV
and a grant program to help install charging stations at workplaces like
businesses, nonprofits and state agencies with 15 or more employees.
“These
programs further advance the Patrick Administration’s goals to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs
Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett. “The transportation sector accounts
for about one-third of the greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted, so the
deployment of more electric and plug-in vehicles is an important step
toward Massachusetts achieving its ambitious goals.”
Department
of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Mark Sylvia unveiled the
website that that new purchasers/leasers can use to apply for their
rebates from the $2 million Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric
Vehicles (MOR-EV) program. MOR-EV enables Massachusetts residents who
purchase or lease an eligible vehicle to receive a rebate of up to
$2,500 on vehicles purchased on or after June 18, 2014.
“The
Patrick Administration is making it easier for more people to choose
cleaner cars that have great fuel economy,” said Commissioner Sylvia.
“Electric vehicles are a win-win for the environmental and economic
bottom line and the MOR-EV program moves us closer to meeting the
Commonwealth’s emissions reduction goals for transportation.”
Interested drivers can learn more about how to apply for rebates at www.mor-ev.org.
Rebates are being funded with proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas
Initiative (RGGI) auctions and are available on a first-come
first-served basis until all the funds have been committed. All
applications must be submitted within three months of purchase or lease,
starting on June 18, 2014.
Department
of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Commissioner David W. Cash
announced the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program’s
(MassEVIP): Workplace Charging grants. Under this grant program,
MassDEP will provide 50 percent of the funding for charging station
hardware costs (up to $25,000) for employers to install Level 1 and
Level 2 charging stations for electric and plug-in electric vehicles.
This program will operate on a first-come first-served basis.
“By
collaborating across agencies and the private sector, we are solving
the chicken-and-egg problem – getting more plug-in vehicles on our roads
and more charging stations at the same time,” said Commissioner Cash.
”With the launch of the Patrick Administration’s innovative programs to
support increased electric vehicle deployment, we can reduce greenhouse
gases and petroleum use, save drivers’ on energy costs, and meet our
aggressive local air pollution, clean energy and climate goals.
Today’s
announcements were made at a workplace charging workshop hosted by
DOER’s Clean Cities Coalition at EMD Serono Research and Development
Institute in Billerica. The workshop emphasized the importance of being
able to charge EVs at work and outlined basic facts on electric
vehicles, charging stations and resources available to employers to
provide EV benefits to their employees. The Massachusetts Clean Cities
Coalition promotes the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles and
supports the development of infrastructure necessary to make these
vehicles a viable transportation option.
“These
grant programs further demonstrate the Commonwealth’s commitment to
reducing greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging more residents to
choose environmentally-conscious modes of transportation and protect the
health of our communities,” said Senate President Therese
Murray. “I want to thank the Patrick Administration and the Executive
Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for increasing our state’s
status as a national leader in setting clean energy and environmental
standards.”
The
Patrick Administration has already invested more than $20 million in
electric and alternative fuel vehicles in the Commonwealth. In May,
Governor Patrick signed an eight-state MOU to have at least 3.3 million
zero emission vehicles (ZEV) in the eight states by 2025 and to work
together to establish a fueling infrastructure to support this number of
vehicles. For Massachusetts’ participation in this MOU, the goal is
300,000 ZEVs.
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