A Catalyst for Positive Change

COVID-19 has caused many difficulties in our world.

However, it could be the catalyst for positive change in America's transportation system. Accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) makes sense because EVs give us many beneficial tools to BUILD BACK BETTER.

This excerpt from an article published by the World Resources Institute really says it all: "EVs can help create a more environmentally and financially sustainable post-COVID-19 world. … Despite the destructive and painful nature of the pandemic, it also offers a once-in-a-century opportunity to pause business-as-usual vehicle production and shift towards a clean, economical and electric future."

Check out the full article here: http://ow.ly/7X4A50CoiRm

Ready to Cash in on Some Holiday Cheer?

Who wants to deck the halls with a MAJOR tax break this holiday season?

If you purchase and install an electric vehicle (EV) charging station by Dec. 31, 2020, your business could receive a tax credit up to $30,000.

The Voltrek team is here to help! Our experts will help you navigate the entire process, from choosing the best EV charging solution, to design and installation, to completing all the necessary paperwork to obtain the maximum tax break for your investment.

Time is ticking to take advantage of this federal tax credit. Reach out to us today at www.voltrek.com to get started, or you can access the necessary Internal Revenue Service information here: http://ow.ly/wPg150CofnT

We Live in a Culture of Choice

America's energy mix has become increasingly diversified over the last two decades.

In today's "culture of choice," communities everywhere are pushing for cleaner, locally sourced energy. Just look at the results of the latest local elections, where places like East Brunswick, New Jersey, have voted in overwhelming favor of measures that support municipal renewable energy programs.

Let's all advocate for a healthier future powered by clean energy. Pushing to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure, for instance, is a great idea for sustainability-minded communities and businesses. 👍

To learn about EV charging solutions that benefit people and the planet, visit www.voltrek.com.

A Reflection of Times Present and Past

We snapped the top picture out in the field where we are installing high-powered ABB electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Isn’t it reminiscent of the iconic image below it, taken in 1932? That well-known photo of ironworkers atop a New York skyscraper was taken after the passage of the Emergency Relief and Construction Act, which was designed to put millions back to work during the Great Depression.

To us, both photos look like rows of birds perched on a wire—but with more colorful plumage and PPE in 2020. 😉

When future generations reflect on our nation’s EV charging infrastructure boom, what images will best represent our era? Images like this? What do you think?

Norway: A World Icon in Electric Vehicle Adoption

FUN FACT: 60% of vehicles sold in Norway last month were electric. The Scandinavian country has become a world icon in the race to adopt electric vehicles (EVs). This "electric boom" is fueled by a deep focus on broadening charging infrastructure and a variety of incentives and benefits for EV owners, including substantial cuts to parking, toll road and ferry charges. By 2026, Norway aims for all new vehicles sold in the country to be electric. Norway's got the right idea. It's time for the U.S. to stop spinning its wheels—we have to start increasing incentives for drivers and investments in EV charger infrastructure. Otherwise, we'll be left in the dust.

Portable Chargers Offer Additional Peace of Mind for EV Owners

Incredible things are happening in Voltrek's neck of the woods—it's so phenomenal, it even aired on national television!

A Massachusetts-based company, SparkCharge, just rolled out a new portable charger for electric vehicles (EVs) called the "Roadie." Featured on ABC News's Shark Tank last week, this ultrafast charging system can generate 15 miles of range in just 15 minutes. The Roadie can be configured to offer up to 17.5 kWh of power, which translates to about 60 to 75 miles of additional range in between traditional charging pitstops. Currently, it is only available with a CHAdeMO connector (great news for Tesla drivers with adapters!), but a CCS option should be available soon. Here’s a great article from InsideEVs with even more info.

Portable EV chargers could really help to remove the barriers of EV adoption. Because our nation's EV charging infrastructure is still developing, some people struggle with "range anxiety" (i.e., concern about running out of a charge and getting stranded on the side of the road). Fortunately, disruptive technologies like the Roadie can offer additional peace of mind.

GM Embarks on Journey Toward an All-Electric Future

General Motors (GM) has unveiled its plans for Factory ZERO, a flagship facility dedicated to advancing GM’s aspirations for a future with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion.

GM is making an unprecedented $2.2 billion investment in its facilities to convert the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center into an all-electric vehicle assembly plant—the first in GM's history. This move will position the plant to build electric trucks and SUVs at scale, including the Ultium battery-powered GMC HUMMER EV pickup, which will begin production in late 2021. More details about Factory ZERO are available here.

Voltrek applauds GM's efforts to transform the automobile industry by committing to an all-electric future.

EV Chargers Unlock Marketing Opportunities for New Properties

It's no secret that transportation is shifting toward an all-electric future.

To stay ahead of the curve, many developers and property owners are planning for electric vehicle (EV) charging during development. This forward-thinking strategy is much more cost-effective than retrofitting an existing property. And each year, more and more permitting authorities are requiring EV charging readiness.

Offering EV charging stations is an amenity that opens up greater marketing opportunities for all types of properties—including multifamily, mixed-use and retail locations. Plus, there are a variety of government and utility incentives available to help offset costs even further.

The EV charging specialists at Voltrek are ready to help you plan and execute your development vision!

Voltrek Featured in The Who's Who in Building & Construction Magazine

Our team was honored to be featured this year on the cover of The Who’s Who in Building & Construction magazine’s Boston/Eastern Massachusetts/New Hampshire edition. Key partnerships and transformative projects are the name of the game here at Voltrek!

Follow this link to view the full article published by The Blue Book Building & Construction Network®.

Consumer Reports Analysis Reveals Electric Vehicle Owners

Did you know that electric vehicle (EV) owners typically spend half as much on annual maintenance and repairs compared to owners of gas-powered vehicles?

A recent analysis by Consumer Reports, which surveyed thousands of drivers in 2019 and 2020, states that the financial savings offered by EVs can go a long way toward offsetting upfront consumer costs. Plus, an average EV produces 60% less greenhouse gas emissions than oil and gas-powered vehicles. Click here to view a press release with more details.

Consumer Reports plans to publish a white paper with even more intel soon—we’ll share it once it’s available!

Voltrek Supports Sustainability Initiatives in Barnstable County

Voltrek is grateful for opportunities to help communities meet their sustainability goals through clean transportation solutions. Just last week, five new dual-port EV charging stations in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, turned operational. This latest Voltrek project, part of Eversource Energy's make-ready EV infrastructure program, was made possible thanks to Boston-based Maverick Corporation, a fantastic project partner that performed the preconstruction and bolt-down work, and ChargePoint, which supplied the Level 2 charging station equipment.

Click here to view a Barnstable County press release with more project details.

Connect with Voltrek on Social Media!

The Voltrek team has been working fast and furious this year, and is committed to sharing project updates and important industry announcements on its social media feeds!

We are excited to engage with our industry partners and encourage everyone to like, share and comment on our posts. To stay up to speed on all the latest Voltrek news, give us a follow on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram:

Twitter: https://lnkd.in/gvRBVPC
Instagram: https://lnkd.in/gGrX4PS
LinkedIn (Voltrek): https://lnkd.in/g8E3VuC
LinkedIn (Kathleen Connors, Voltrek CEO): https://lnkd.in/g7e6gvJ

NYPA’s EVolve NY Program to Build Robust Network of EV Charging Stations

Voltrek is thrilled to be part of the New York Power Authority (NYPA) initiative to build a comprehensive, high-speed EV charging network across the state of New York by the end of 2021. The EVolve NY program is certainly leading the way in creating a cleaner, greener future for all.

For additional insights about NYPA’s EV infrastructure expansion efforts, check out this Electrek article: https://electrek.co/2020/09/23/nypas-evolve-ny-opens-first-of-many-350kw-charging-stations-that-will-blanket-the-state/

ChargePoint to Go Public at $2.4 Billion Valuation

Congrats to all of our friends at ChargePoint, one of the world's oldest and largest electric vehicle charging networks, on plans to go public by merging with Switchback Energy Acquisition Corp. in a $2.4 billion deal. This major milestone is a testament to how the ChargePoint brand continues to grow and flourish.

Check out this Reuters article in U.S. News for more details: https://lnkd.in/gdbRqnS

Voltrek CEO Kathleen Connors Presents at Annual Energy Conference

Voltrek CEO Kathleen Connors is excited to be one of the industry experts chosen to present at this week’s 6th Annual Energy Conference!

The annual event, hosted by Boston’s Northeastern University, is taking place 9/24 – 9/25 and will be entirely virtual. Kathleen is on a select four-person panel that will share insights on “Electric Vehicles: Future of Carbon Neutral Transportation.”

If you’re registered to attend the 6th Annual Energy Conference, be sure to mark your calendar for this 1-hour webinar panel discussion. It’s scheduled to start at 1:20 p.m. (ET) on Friday, 9/25. (Yes, that’s tomorrow!)

Here’s the website where you can log in to join the discussion: https://www.nuess.us/

2020 National Drive Electric Week Kicks Off Tonight!

Voltrek is all geared up for National Drive Electric Week (NDEW), running Sept. 26 - Oct. 4!

Don’t miss the virtual kick-off event streaming TONIGHT (9/24) at 8 p.m. (ET) on Facebook Live. Special guests include Bill Nye the Science Guy, NPR host Peter Sagal, race car driver and environmental activist Leilani Münter, and hip hop artist Warren Dickson with 3rd Rock Hip Hop! Register now so you don’t miss the action: https://lnkd.in/eN8sMyE

This year there will be more than 100 FREE online events to promote the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in vehicles. In-person events will also be held in certain outdoor areas, following CDC social distancing guidelines and safety precautions. Here’s a link to register for the other events: https://lnkd.in/dnsT8Nf

Here's a special shout-out to various event hosts, sponsors and special guests: ClipperCreek, Inc., Plug In America, NPR, Peter Sagal, Sierra Club, Nissan Motor Corporation, Electrify America, Electric Auto Association

Salem State University Adds Six New ChargePoint Stations

Just in time for the fall semester, Salem State University in Massachusetts has added six new dual-port electric vehicle (EV) charging stations!

Conveniently located right in front of the O'Keefe Center, the new ChargePoint stations serve 12 parking spots. This latest EV charger installation by Voltrek has almost tripled the on-campus EV charging capacity, with a total of 19 parking spots now available to university students, faculty and staff.

In addition to overseeing design and installation of the new charging stations, Voltrek assisted Salem State University with securing project funding from National Grid and the Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection. As a result, the university paid less than 3% of the project costs—savings which get passed along to students! Voltrek, one of the nation’s trailblazers in EV charging solutions, is also National Grid's lead contractor for EV infrastructure projects.

New ChargePoint Installation at Historic Nevins Memorial Library

The Voltrek team just completed a brand-new electric vehicle (EV) charging station project in its hometown of Methuen, MA—the first municipal-owned EV charging station in the city’s history.

Located at the historic Nevins Memorial Library, the dual-station installation is part of the ChargePoint network, one of the world’s largest and most advanced EV charging networks. Voltrek managed all planning, design and installation for the project, which was funded in part by the EV Charging Infrastructure Program sponsored by National Grid (a major utility for which Voltrek serves as the lead EV infrastructure contractor).

Voltrek’s founder and CEO, Kathleen Connors, says she is grateful for the opportunity to partner on a project that will be transformational for her local community. This milestone aligns with the city of Methuen’s commitment to build infrastructure that supports a sustainable economic future and ensures the area continues to thrive.

A news release with more project details can be viewed at https://bit.ly/2ZkHdoy.

Entering the New Year

We want to express our thanks and gratitude to each client and to all of our partners. Together we are making a positive impact on the world. 2018 is poised to be a pivotal year for EV adoption. We look forward to supporting the continued evolution of our transportation system to a greener, cleaner (and way more fun) electrically driven model (pun intended). Happy New Year!

OUR CUSTOMERS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE - ONE CHARGE AT A TIME

Want to ride an electric bus?

London, Paris, Los Angeles, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Quito, Vancouver, Mexico City, Milan, Seattle, Auckland & Cape Town have pledged to only purchase electric buses by 2025. Read more here >>> https://electrek.co/2017/10/23/electric-buses-12-major-cities-pledge-2025/