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

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Changes for Electric Vehicle Drivers in Rhode Island

If you’re a current or potential future electric vehicle (EV) driver in Rhode Island, there are some important new changes you should be aware of.

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Electric vehicles/Transportation (17)

Electric vehicles/Transportation Guest blog/Member spotlight

Across the US and Back in a Fully Electric Vehicle

One of the top concerns we at Green Energy Consumers hear from people who are considering switching to an electric vehicle is: "how far can I go?" Well, two of our EV Ambassadors recently completed an 8,854-mile road-trip from Massachusetts all the way to California in an all-electric Kia Niro EV and kindly wrote up this blogpost for us. It's longer than our usual blogposts, but well worth the trip (pun intended!) for all who are interested in the nitty-gritty of taking a really, *really* long road-trip in an all-electric car. The following was all written by Glen Ayers, with a couple of editorial notes from Green Energy Consumers in italics.

by Glen Ayers (Guest Blogger)
Electric vehicles/Transportation

Medium-Duty Electric Vans and Shuttle Buses

In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the transportation sector is arguably one of the most promising sectors in terms of switching to clean energy. Transportation accounts for 43% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in MA and 36% of emissions in RI. Electric vehicles are, therefore, one of the keys to reaching both states’ long term climate goals. Our Drive Green program helps to put electric passenger vehicles on the road, but we’d like to draw your attention to another part of the market: medium-duty vehicles. The medium-duty segment of the market has not kept pace with light-duty (passenger) electric vehicles. Beyond passenger cars, we frequently get asked about electric passenger vans and shuttles for institutions around New England, like schools, research institutions, hospitals, and private companies. Here’s what you should know about electrified medium-duty vehicle market in 2020.

Rhys Webb 
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Picture of Devan DiLibero Devan DiLibero
Electric vehicles/Transportation

Webinar Recap: Buying a Pre-Owned Electric Car

Electric vehicles (EVs) are more affordable than ever thanks to advances in battery technology. The availability of pre-owned EVs also makes driving on electricity accessible to consumers with any budget. Green Energy Consumers hosted a webinar on March 25 to give advice on how to purchase a pre-owned electric car. You can watch the full webinar & read a summary here.

by Mal Skowron
Electric vehicles/Transportation Electricity and the grid

Making the Most of EV Batteries with Vehicle-To-Grid

Green Energy Consumers Alliance supports the idea that we need to electrify everything. By shifting sectors that have been historically powered by the combustion of fossil fuels, such as heating and transportation, to electricity, we can dramatically reduce emissions in the short-term while setting up a path to a net zero-carbon society in the long-term.

Mal Skowron 
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Paola Massoli
Electric vehicles/Transportation

Electric Car Tax Credits, Explained

It’s tax season, and though you probably didn’t want to fill out another IRS form, Form 8936 (Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit) is worth the effort. The federal tax credit for electric vehicles (EVs) allows you to claim up to $7,500 on your returns for buying a new electric car. Here’s what you need to know about the federal tax credit and how to take advantage of it.

by Mal Skowron
Electric vehicles/Transportation Guest blog/Member spotlight

The Buzz Around Bolts

 

If you read our last EV owners blog, then you probably already know a little about what makes people so passionate about their electric vehicles—regenerative braking, quick pick-up, no noise, and of course, zero emissions! Because of this passion, we’ve sold a lot of cars through Drive Green, and the Chevrolet Bolt has consistently been one of the most popular. I spoke with some of our dedicated electric vehicle (EV) owners to see why they’re so committed to their Bolts.

by Rhys Webb
Electric vehicles/Transportation Guest blog/Member spotlight

EV Envy: Drive Green Members Share why they Love Their EVs

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.

by Rhys Webb
Electric vehicles/Transportation

What to Expect in the World of Electric Cars in 2020

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.

by Mal Skowron
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Electric vehicles/Transportation

Massachusetts Reinstates Consumer Funding for Electric Vehicles

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!

Picture of Eugenia Gibbons Eugenia Gibbons 
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Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek