The Energy Consumer's Bulletin- a New England energy news blog

Anna Vanderspek

Green Power Program Intern

Recent Posts

No New Gas Cars After 2035?

Posted by Anna Vanderspek on Friday, September 09, 2022 @ 09:30 AM

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Tags: Energy policy & advocacy, Massachusetts, Electric vehicles/Transportation, Rhode Island

The New Federal Tax Credit for EVs

Posted by Anna Vanderspek on Monday, August 22, 2022 @ 02:50 PM

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Tags: Energy policy & advocacy, Electric vehicles/Transportation

Introducing QARI Drives Green - 绿色驾驶

Posted by Anna Vanderspek on Friday, July 22, 2022 @ 10:15 AM

In the nearly seven years since we launched Drive Green, Green Energy Consumers has interacted with tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents through a combination of in-person events and online offerings. We have helped nearly 1,000 drivers get an electric vehicle (EV). We’re proud of that work, since we know we need to rapidly electrify transportation to fight climate change and better public health.

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Tags: Massachusetts, Electric vehicles/Transportation

Transportation in the Massachusetts Clean Energy Climate Plan

Posted by Anna Vanderspek on Thursday, July 14, 2022 @ 02:03 PM

This blog covers strategies outlined in Massachusetts’ final Clean Energy and Climate Plan (CECP) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector. For more background on the CECP for 2025 and 2030, read this blog.


Transportation is the largest source of GHG emissions in Massachusetts and the state’s ability to meet its 2025 and 2030 GHG requirements will hinge largely on this sector. The final CECP requires reductions in the transportation sector of 18% by 2025 and 34% by 2030. In 2020, with all the reduced travel due to the pandemic, we reached 22% reductions under 1990 levels. But otherwise, transportation emissions have remained stubborn, as the green bar in the graph below demonstrates.

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Tags: Energy policy & advocacy, Electric vehicles/Transportation

Changes in Store for the Massachusetts State EV Rebate Program

Posted by Anna Vanderspek on Monday, May 09, 2022 @ 11:56 AM

If you’re looking for an electric car, you are likely looking for rebates and incentives to help you make the switch too. We have a whole page on our website to explain the federal tax credit (up to $7,500) and Massachusetts state rebate (MOR-EV) for electric vehicles (EVs). This year, there are some exciting changes on the horizon regarding state EV incentives.

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What the MA Senate Climate Bill Says About Phasing Out Gasoline

Posted by Anna Vanderspek on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 @ 12:25 PM

The Massachusetts Senate made big news last week by passing a massive climate bill that tackles transportation, buildings, and our electricity supply. This bill is supposed to put the pedal to the metal so that the state has the policies it needs in place to achieve the emissions reduction targets included in last year’s Climate Roadmap bill: first and foremost, a 50% reduction in economy-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions under 1990 levels by 2030. Here’s what this bill means for our efforts to phase out gasoline in Massachusetts – and the key next steps.

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Tags: Energy policy & advocacy, Electric vehicles/Transportation, Climate change

Our New Tool to Help You Find a Used EV

Posted by Anna Vanderspek on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 @ 11:47 AM

When we launched our Drive Green program back in November 2016, if you wanted an electric car, your only option, essentially, was to buy a new car. Yes, there were some older Nissan LEAFs available, but not many, and they didn’t have a whole lot of range. Fast forward five years and things have changed – there are more electric vehicle (EV) models on the market, and more and more of them are coming off three-year leases, which means, finally, a used EV market is growing. If you’re looking for a used EV, we have a new tool to help you find it.

Compare Used Electric Cars

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Tags: Electric vehicles/Transportation

Tell your MA state Legislator to get engaged on clean transportation!

Posted by Anna Vanderspek on Friday, June 25, 2021 @ 10:30 AM

As frequent readers of our blog will know, transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts. The cars, trucks, and buses on our roads are also responsible for pollution that causes direct and widespread harm to human health – harm that disproportionately impacts low-income communities and communities of color. Right now, there’s something you can do about it: get your legislator to attend an upcoming briefing on bills that will work on these issues!

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Tags: Energy policy & advocacy, Massachusetts, Electric vehicles/Transportation, Climate change

New Electric Truck Incentives in Massachusetts

Posted by Anna Vanderspek on Tuesday, April 06, 2021 @ 03:58 PM

New Incentive for Electric Trucks in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) recently announced that the popular rebate program for electric vehicles, MOR-EV, will now offer incentives for medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks too. This is great news for the climate and public health in Massachusetts. 

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Tags: Massachusetts, Electric vehicles/Transportation

Can Massachusetts Make EV Charging even More Affordable?

Posted by Anna Vanderspek on Friday, November 27, 2020 @ 10:09 AM

 We’re big advocates for incentivizing electric vehicle (EV) drivers to charge their cars off-peak by offering them a lower retail price per kilowatt-hour (kWh). “Off-peak” periods refer to times when demand for electricity is low. At these times, wholesale electricity prices and emissions per unit of energy are lower as well. Shifting EV charging demand by setting a price signal — sometimes called a “time-varying rate” (TVR) or “time-of-use rate” (TOU) — is a win for everyone: EV drivers, non-EV drivers, the environment, and our electric grid. Right now, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is considering whether and how to move forward on this issue — and we wanted to give you an update on progress made so far. (Fair warning: if ever there was a blogpost for the policy wonks, this is it!) 

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Tags: Energy policy & advocacy, Massachusetts, Electric vehicles/Transportation