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

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Our Take on the Energy Bill in the Massachusetts House of Representatives

Our friends at theBuilding Electrification Accelerator asked us to present information about legislation, House Bill 4744, now working its way...

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Electric vehicles/Transportation (21)

Electric vehicles/Transportation

Electric cars are getting easier to charge

The question “but where will I charge?” is one of the biggest sources of apprehension among potential electric vehicle (EV) owners. We at Mass Energy and People’s Power & Light think it doesn’t need to be. After reading this blog post, we really hope that you’ll come to agree that:

  • For most of us, charging our electric car at home can be very easy.

  • Today, there are already a lot of places to charge away from home – probably a lot more than most people think. And they’re easy to find.

  • More public charging stations are being built every day and there are lots more coming in the next 3-5 years.

  • You won’t need to charge as often as you think. Today’s all-electrics have such large ranges that you likely won’t need to charge every night, and even the plug-in hybrids available today have ranges that exceed what most of us drive in a day.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien 
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Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Electric vehicles/Transportation Our programs

Even the experts come to the Drive Green program to buy or lease electric cars

Since November 2016, we have helped hundreds of people learn about and buy or lease electric cars at significant discounts. Consumers from all walks of life have come through the Drive Green program. But some of our members, as we like to call them, have expertise in fields such as energy, climate, and electric vehicles (EVs). Here’s what a few have to say.

Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Energy policy & advocacy Electric vehicles/Transportation

Federal Tax Credit in Jeopardy

As you may have heard, the existing federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for electric vehicles (EVs) would be repealed under the tax legislation filed in the U.S. House of Representatives with support from the White House last week. If the tax bill is passed in its current form, the EV tax credit would be available for 2017 purchases but not for 2018 and beyond. We strongly oppose the repeal of the EV tax credit. If you are concerned too, please contact your US Representative and express your feelings. But honestly, we know that the Massachusetts and Rhode Island delegations will be opposed to the tax bill for several reasons.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien 
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Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Energy policy & advocacy Electric vehicles/Transportation Climate change

Miles Behind Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals: Electric Vehicle Policy Troubles

In recent weeks, policymakers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have taken actions that will affect the states’ likelihood of meeting their stated goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Their actions, or inaction, in the transportation sector are especially worth noting.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien , Picture of Eugenia Gibbons Eugenia Gibbons 
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Kat Burnham
Electric vehicles/Transportation

Electric cars – going mainstream faster than you think

When we started our Drive Green with Mass Energy & People's Power & Light program on November 2nd, we felt like we were catching a fast moving train. And nine months into the program, we can say that that’s an understatement. Month after month, sales in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, the US, and the world are significantly higher than a year before. Here in America, we have seen strong sales from Tesla (Models S and X), Chevrolet Volt and Bolt, Toyota Prius Prime, and Nissan LEAF.  But where is this all going?

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien
Electric vehicles/Transportation Our programs

Drive Green with Mass Energy and People’s Power & Light is here to stay!

It’s no fun taking away the punch bowl just as the party was getting good, so we decided that Drive Green with Mass Energy and People’s Power & Light, our newest program, is here to stay, rather than ending on June 30 as we previously indicated. Our board of directors voted unanimously to keep the program going. We see it as a great way to achieve our mission of making energy more sustainable and affordable. When we launched the program on November 2, we had a good feeling that it would go well and, truth be told, it has. We’re proud to say that over 130 people have purchased or leased electric cars, dozens more are in the process, and more people are registering every day. And the comments we have received from shoppers have been very positive. One thing that really makes us happy is when a new owner sends us a testimonial talking about how much they love their car or how they enjoyed our program. We know we’re not yet perfect, but we are confident we’re on the right track.

Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Energy policy & advocacy Electric vehicles/Transportation

Mobility Options for Everyone in the 21st Century

 

21st Century Mobility Runs on Electricity, the Greener the Better

We often write about the role of renewable energy in helping Massachusetts and Rhode Island ratchet down greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet the goals of the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) and the Resilient Rhode Island Act. However, it is also true that climate compliance in our states, like elsewhere, hinges on the transformation of the transportation sector.

Picture of Eugenia Gibbons Eugenia Gibbons 
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Picture of Anna Vanderspek Anna Vanderspek
Electric vehicles/Transportation

It’ll take more than a hybrid: Transportation is moving towards electrification, just in time

Our executive director, Larry Chretien, and professor Timmons Roberts wrote this article for the Brookings Institution. Read the original article here.

A few years ago, we bought a Prius hybrid (Larry), and a diesel Jetta (Timmons). We got great mileage on both, but we couldn’t imagine then how electric vehicles would begin to crack the last tough nut of confronting climate change and cleaning up urban air with genuinely appealing and low-cost options.

Timmons Roberts 
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Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien