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

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New Smart Charging Program for EV Drivers in Rhode Island

Here at Green Energy Consumers Alliance, we talk a lot about the need for managed charging programs for electric vehicles (EVs), both to reduce...

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Electric vehicles/Transportation (12)

Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Electric vehicles/Transportation Rhode Island

TCI: a regional agreement to spur climate action

State leaders in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as Connecticut and Washington, D.C., recently signed an agreement to pursue a regional Transportation & Climate Initiative program. The goal of the policy is to reduce emissions from transportation, the sector that's responsible for over a third of climate-warming emissions in each state. Green Energy Consumers Alliance applauds the leadership of Governors Gina Raimondo and Charlie Baker for their commitment to rein in a growing source of carbon pollution and invest in clean transportation.

Mal Skowron
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Electric vehicles/Transportation

Can Massachusetts Make EV Charging even More Affordable?

 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!) 

Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Electric vehicles/Transportation Climate change

Electrifying cars, buses, and trucks will save lives. Why wait?

When we talk about the intersection of transportation and the environment, we’re often talking about greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide and methane, that trap heat in the atmosphere and warm our climate. However, the combustion of fossil fuels also releases co-pollutants – like nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and particulate matter – that form ozone and smog and make air unhealthy. Unlike greenhouse gases, which contribute to global climate change no matter where they’re released, co-pollutants have the biggest impact in the communities close to where they’re emitted.  

Mal Skowron
Electric vehicles/Transportation

Consumer Reports: Electric cars are cheaper... really!

A new report by Consumer Reports has found that the average electric vehicle (EV) driver saves between $6,000 and $10,000 in lifetime costs compared to a gas-powered car. Their analysis considered a survey of 10,000 EV drivers and a review of depreciation, financing, sale prices, and fuel costs to reach a remarkable conclusion: EVs, like those that are available through our Drive Green program, win out compared to the best-selling, top-rated, and most-efficient cars in their class.  

Mal Skowron
Energy policy & advocacy Electric vehicles/Transportation Phasing out fossil fuels

Policy is rigged to favor gas guzzlers over climate, health, & consumers

In April 2020, while the economy shuttered and infection rates for COVID-19 in the US skyrocketed, pickup truck sales exceeded sedan sales for the first time. Passenger cars are the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and more people than ever believe man-made climate change is happening. So how are biggest gas-guzzling cars taking over the industry?

Mal Skowron
Energy policy & advocacy Electric vehicles/Transportation Climate change

We Need the Transportation & Climate Initiative and It Must Be Equitable.  Advocates and Governors, Let's Get it Done Right

There is so much happening these days it’s hard to track everything, but if you haven’t heard much about the Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI), you will soon. It’s an idea that could result in a compact of 11-states (plus D.C.) in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to address transportation emissions. It would do so by setting a cap on emissions, a cap that declines over time. 

Larry Chretien, Anna Vanderspek, Priscilla De La Cruz, & Mal Skowron
Electric vehicles/Transportation Climate change

Larry went on the Energy Nerd Show to Talk about Smart Charging EVs

It’s imperative that we all switch from internal combustion engines to electric cars for several compelling reasons. The most important is that reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions enough to save the planet depends upon it. But what’s particularly exciting is: we can magnify the benefits of EVs by managing when we charge them.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien
Electric vehicles/Transportation Guest blog/Member spotlight

Why I Leased a Chevrolet Bolt instead of Keeping my Malibu

Why I Leased A Chevy Bolt Instead of Keeping My Malibu
We often get questions along the lines of: "should I get an electric car now, or should I wait until my current car *really* gives up the ghost?" Well, one of our EV Ambassadors, Xavier, recently grappled with this question himself and kindly offered the following blog post to us! The below is all his text, with some additions (in italics) from us here at Green Energy Consumers.
Xavier Pereira, Guest Blogger
Electric vehicles/Transportation

Looking for an electric SUV? Here’s what’s coming.

In the United States car market, big cars rule. In April 2020, crossovers, pickups, and SUVs together made up 70% of new vehicle sales in the “light” vehicle market. 70%! As we work to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), it’s clear that we need competitive EVs in these segments. There are already some excellent larger EVs available – check out the Hyundai Kona Electric, Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), Kia Niro EV and PHEV, Audi e-tron, or Tesla Model X on our Drive Green page. And we’ve previously written about the electric pick-up trucks headed our way. But automakers have announced or released several larger EVs that we’re keeping our eyes on. Here are the electric SUVs that we think are the ones to watch in 2020 and early 2021.

Tori Yanco