Community Corner

Plug Your Car In -- On Cambridge Street

Officials launched Boston's first on-street electric car charging station.

City officials in Boston are preparing for what they hope will be an increased interest in electric vehicles, with the launch of its first on-street charging stations for battery-operated cars.

Three parking spaces on Cambridge Street in front of City Hall Plaza have been outfitted with charging stations and have been set aside for the exclusive use of electric car owners who need to recharge vehicle batteries.

Mayor Thomas Menino also announced the launch of EVboston, a new City program through Complete Streets initiative, designed to promote the use and accessibility of electric vehicles in Boston. 

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The project is a year-long pilot to study the use and durability of the charging units and to inform future implementation plans for electric vehicle stations around the city, according to a press release from the city.

Through the EVboston initiative, the City of Boston is preparing for the growth of the electric vehicle market in the region. Industry experts say nine major automakers have committed to producing a total of twelve mass-market electric vehicles over the next three years. Cities around the U.S. are installing charging stations to accommodate the expected influx of electric cars.

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In addition to the charging-stations pilot, the Boston Transportation Department’s EVboston program includes:

  • An information vendor fair and forum for local parking managers and garage owners interested in purchasing a charging station, which was held last week.
  • The convening an “EVboston Consortium” of experts in the industry, equipment and vehicle manufacturers, parking facility owners and interested residents and institutions to advise the City.
  • A Request for Interest to be released in fall 2011 to solicit proposals from industry professionals for the eventual adoption of a citywide plan to accommodate electric vehicles and charging stations.
  • The City is currently participating in the Toyota Corporation’s “Plug-In” Fleet Demonstration Program.  Along with other cities and towns throughout the country, Boston is testing a Toyota Plug-In Prius free of charge to evaluate for future use within the City’s fleet.
  • The City is participating in a Northeast Regional Electric Vehicle (NEREV) partnership with New York City and Philadelphia. 
  • BTD will host a free screening of the documentary “Who Killed the Electric Car?” held on the evening of June 2 at 8 p.m. on Boston Common. (Rain date of June 7).

The installation of the charging stations is part of the Boston Transportation Department’s Complete Streets initiative, a multi-project effort with the goal of accommodating all modes of travel on Boston’s roadways, designing green, environmentally friendly streets and using new ‘smart’ technologies to improve mobility.

At the national level, the White House has outlined a wide-ranging plan of putting one million of what it calls advanced technology vehicles on the road by 2015.  Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a federal tax credit is available for up to 30 percent of the purchase and installation costs of qualified electric vehicle charging infrastructure acquired in 2011, with a maximum credit of $1,000 for individuals and $30,000 for businesses.


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