Baker Announces $12 Million in Federal Funding to Speed Up Deployment of Electric Cars

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Governor Charlie Baker announced the award of $12 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to help Massachusetts and Plug in America accelerate the development of electric, plug in electric and fuel cell electric vehicles, referred to as Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV).

The announcement came on Tuesday.

“The innovative test drive initiative funded by the program is proven to help shape consumer perceptions of driving electric and how easy it is to make the switch away from petroleum to make our environment cleaner. The continuation of Mass Drive Clean federal funding will leverage our successful experience in the Commonwealth with that of our fellow New England states towards a collaborative effort to promote the positive impacts of zero emissions vehicles,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton.

Mass Drive Clean

Mass Drive Clean is a pilot program funded through a DOE grant in 2015 that resulted in more than 650 drivers and passengers test driving one or more electric vehicles at employer sponsored and public events. The program was continued this year with over 1000 test drives to date.

“Mass Drives Clean proves that by giving consumers the firsthand experience of operating an electric, they are much more likely to purchase a vehicle and help take a traditional vehicle off the road. The increased adoption of electric vehicles is a vital component of Massachusetts reducing emissions to meet our targets under the Global Warming Solutions Act,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson.

The drives are a way for drivers to get behind the wheel of multiple makes and models of clean vehicles. Each driver is surveyed before and after driving, with 83% saying that their overall opinion of a ZEV is better than before their test drive and 68% said that they were more likely to purchase one now that they had experienced the performance of the cars.

DOE selected Plug in America and Clean Cities programs in Massachusetts, as well as in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont, to provide funding for continued public, workplace and fleet events over the next two years.