With electric vehicles consistently gaining more and more media attention, we wanted to share what it was that made electric vehicle (EV) owners love their cars so much. I reached out to some of our members who have purchased a vehicle through Drive Green, and they assured me that whether you’re looking to drive across the country, zip through city streets, or even replace your motorcycle, there’s an EV for you! Check out what they had to say below.

After record sales numbers in 2018, the market for electric vehicles (EVs) experienced only modest growth in 2019. Most EV sales this past year (like last year and the year before that) were Teslas in California, but with an expected 19 million EVs to hit the road in the US by 2030, the tipping point for widespread vehicle electrification is near. Here are seven reasons that EVs should be on the upswing in Massachusetts and Rhode Island starting in 2020.

In November, we wrote about efforts to replenish Massachusetts’ state rebate for electric vehicles, which was then stalled in the legislature. Late the following month, lawmakers reached agreement on a proposed Supplemental Budget that included an infusion of much-needed dollars to bring back Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV), the only direct incentive offered by the state to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. Now MOR-EV will benefit from an infusion of at least $27 million dollars per year for the next two years!

There are many reasons to switch to an electric car - lower carbon emissions, less engine maintenance, and smooth handling, to name a few. But even if you’re sold on the consumer benefits of driving on electricity, it can still be a little intimidating to learn how to charge when you’re used to refueling with gasoline.

“Charged up: Everything you need to know about EV charging” is a 50-minute long webinar to make your transition to an electric vehicle as smooth as possible. View the whole webinar below.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Electric Vehicles 101 Webinar on December 3! In case you missed it, you can find the recording of the webinar below.

November 20th marked the end of formal session in Year 1 of Massachusetts’ two-year legislative cycle. The remaining weeks of 2019 are considered “informal session,” during which bills may still be considered and moved, but formal activities not completed by last Thursday are largely on hold until the legislature formally reconvenes in the new year. A proposal to replenish consumer rebates for EVs is included in the supplemental budget (H.4132/S.2418) currently stalled at the State House. 

Green Energy Consumers Alliance has made it a priority to encourage the adoption of electric buses. This illustration summarizes our motivation:

In May 2019, Providence welcomed a fleet of autonomous shuttles to offer free transit service for a five-mile loop between Providence Station and Olneyville Square. The pilot program, called Little Roady, is a collaborative effort between the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and May Mobility, a Michigan-based tech company that has deployed autonomous shuttles in Detroit, Michigan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Columbus, Ohio.

In our September 11 webinar, we took a deep dive into electric vehicle (EV) batteries to understand the technology and how it will impact the automotive industry in the next decade. Find a recording of the webinar and a brief summary below.