Groundbreaking Initiative Focuses on Clean Mobility Investments

There’s been lots of buzz about a trailblazing initiative in our region focusing on mobility, equity and climate. Government leaders from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C. have formed the bipartisan Transportation and Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P), which was created to enhance investments in clean, equitable transportation options and create new employment opportunities.

For Massachusetts specifically, the goal is to reduce motor vehicle pollution by at least 26% and infuse the state economy with over $1.8 billion by 2032. A portion of program funding will be allocated to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, including the development of interstate EV charging corridors, which is huge!

Follow this link for further details: http://ow.ly/8HyR50DeBGH

Limited Funding Available for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Projects in Massachusetts

Attention employers and fleet operators in Massachusetts! State funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure was expanded in 2021. Enhancements to the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) include the following:

• Fleet operators can apply for funding to build out Level 1 and Level 2 charging infrastructure—both private and publicly accessible.

• Multi units only need 5 units to qualify now (it was 10 in the past).

• Education customers can also apply for funding.

• The generic non-workplace “public” program is back online. Entities that are willing to have chargers publicly accessible for at least 12 hours per day can apply for funding.

MassEVIP opportunities are available to everyone interested in commercial EV charging solutions—including businesses, municipalities, state agencies and public colleges/universities. Voltrek has extensive experience in helping clients apply for this funding, which will go quick! To learn more about MassEVIP funding opportunities, contact us at www.voltrek.com.

Voltrek Performs Turnkey Project at Munters Corporation

Thanks to sustainability-driven upgrades at the Munters Corporation campus in Amesbury, Massachusetts, 400+ employees now have access to five new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

Voltrek spearheaded the entire private installation, from design to managing the build-out of the dual-port ChargePoint terminals, which can charge up to 10 vehicles at any given time.

Additionally, Voltrek helped the client secure grants from the state as well as National Grid’s “make-ready” EV program, saving tens of thousands of dollars in upfront costs. In a recent interview with The Daily News, company spokespersons from Munters likened these incentives to winning the lottery. 😉

Are you looking to invest in an EV charging hub? Voltrek can help you navigate the entire process, start to finish! Reach out to us now for more details.

Great Incentives Now Available for EV Charging Infrastructure

Heads up! Massachusetts has GREAT funding opportunities for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in 2021.

Property owners can utilize the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) to construct brand-new EV chargers, or even upgrade old/outdated stations. Voltrek has an excellent track record of getting clients the funding they need through MassEVIP.

Reach out to us today for more information!

Massachusetts Leads the Way in Addressing Climate Crisis

Massachusetts is once again setting a nation-leading example in climate action.

By 2035, all new vehicles sold in the Commonwealth must be electric. Along with advancing the state’s ultimate goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, this initiative will benefit communities by improving air quality and unlocking new opportunities for job creation and economic growth.

To learn more, read the state's full press release here: http://ow.ly/d3ow50D3epW

MassEVIP Now Offers Funding for Direct Current Fast Charging

Did you hear? DC (direct current) fast charging is now covered through the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP)!

These stations will be vital to all EV drivers, including those traveling through main corridors and high-traffic areas, and for charging fleet vehicles operated by municipalities, utilities, businesses and others.

The deadline to apply for this new funding is March 19, 2021, so contact us ASAP to get started on your application.

Voltrek Team Installs Ultra-Fast ABB Terra HP Chargers in Jefferson County, New York

The word is out! New York just unveiled its FIRST fast-charging station for electric vehicles in Jefferson County.

The new hub at Watertown's Hilton Garden Inn features Terra HP chargers from ABB. This dynamic-charging solution can be used by any EV and offers lightning-quick speeds—from 175kW up to 350kW, which is more powerful than Tesla’s superchargers! Voltrek lent its design and installation expertise on this milestone project to prime contractor EV Connect.

The Watertown installation belongs to the statewide EVolve NY charging network, part of a New York Power Authority (NYPA) initiative designed to encourage the widespread adoption of EVs. For your reading delight, here's a news release with further details: http://ow.ly/NFrj50CHc7B

Information about the Watertown EVolve NY fast chargers, and others coming online, can be found on PlugShare at http://ow.ly/NrkX50CHcfW or by downloading the Chargeway app.

Happy Holidays!

EVs Are Fun for the Whole Family ... and Even Man's Best Friend!

When it’s time to hit the road, spunky Pippa always calls shotgun!

Let’s face it, it’s more fun to chase squirrels when you’re cruising in an electric vehicle. 😉

Of course the BEST feature of this Tesla is the “dog mode” shown on the dash, which keeps the climate comfortable while the owner is away.

EVBox Goes Public!

What thrilling news! Congrats to our friends at EVBox for surging ahead as a global provider of smart charging solutions for electric vehicles.

Learn more here: http://ow.ly/ALUS50CTj1X

EV Charging Is So Easy, Even a Toddler Can Do It!

This adorable little miss is Voltrek CEO Kathleen Connors’ granddaughter!

Plug In America's Joel Levin Weighs in on Future of Battery-Powered Vehicles

"And then the world starts to get interesting."

Joel Levin, executive director of Plug In America, made this candid statement in a recent interview with Utility Dive: Energy and Utility News. He believes the continuing decline in battery costs for electric vehicles (EVs) will soon dispel range anxiety concerns and allow EVs to become a practical and desirable frontrunner in the automobile industry.

Over the last decade, EV battery costs have fallen from $1,183/kWh to $135/kWh, dropping about 15% annually as batteries were manufactured to be smaller, more powerful and dense. This month, a historic milestone was achieved when a battery for electric buses in China dropped under $100/kWh. In the U.S., government and industry experts speculate that costs for passenger EVs could drop to $80/kWh by 2030—or sooner.

Read on to see how declining battery costs are key to speeding the adoption of EVs: http://ow.ly/BbQJ50CP6BR

Clean Mobility Fits Naturally with Sustainable Design

The future is GREEN! (In sustainable design, that is.)

Incorporating clean mobility solutions—like electric vehicle charging stations—into your building plans provides major points toward achieving LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Want to learn more? Give us a call!

Consumer Reports Confirms Electric Cars Really Are Cheaper!

BIG NEWS! A new study by Consumer Reports confirms that electric vehicles SAVE MONEY compared to the best-selling and most "efficient" gas-guzzling counterparts in their class.

Consumer Reports surveyed 10,000 electric vehicle (EV) drivers and analyzed depreciation, financing, sale prices and fuel costs. The study revealed that EV owners can save between $6K-$10K in lifetime costs compared to a gas-powered car. This is because EV drivers typically spend 60% less to power their vehicles and invest half as much on repair and maintenance, among other factors.

Want a deeper look at the cost savings realized by driving an EV? Check out this article by Consumer Reports, which has a link to the complete report: http://ow.ly/K8uO50CFCuK

You can also take a gander at this blog post by the Green Energy Consumers Alliance, which offers great insights about the study: http://ow.ly/HYoU50CFCaP

NPR's Podcast on Electric Car Charging Supply/Demand

Got 10 minutes? You should listen to NPR's new podcast about the psychology and economics of using electric vehicles. ChargePoint's Anne Smart, vice president of public policy, and Cathy Zoi, CEO of EVgo, are among the special guest speakers who share their unique insights about the future of this increasingly popular mobility solution.

Here's the link: http://ow.ly/nuS250CHcQa

AEG Boston Event To Feature Voltrek CEO Kathleen Connors

Voltrek's fearless leader, Kathleen Connors, is excited to be one of the Breakout Room Leaders at this week's AEG Stakeholder Challenge for Boston!

The popular #AEGBoston event, hosted by Advanced Energy Group (AEG), is part of a quarterly competition that takes place in major cities across America and the Caribbean. The goal is to find practical, useful ways to leverage clean energy as a means to promote equity and resilience in communities.

Voltrek is proud to be a sponsor of Boston's Q4 event, which is 100% virtual and focuses on mobility and transportation solutions utilizing electric vehicles in commercial fleets. Stimulating brainstorming sessions led by Connors and other Breakout Room Leaders will allow attendees to collaborate on proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Boston. Also on the docket are special presentations from Verizon, National Grid, eIQ Mobility, Biogen and others.

Sound interesting and fun? It is! To reserve your spot at the next action-packed AEG event, follow this link: http://ow.ly/HaAL50CFEhi

Voltrek Tests EV Chargers with a Porsche Taycan 4S

Riding in Style!

Voltrek hit the road early this morning to test out ABB’s electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for our valued client, the New York Power Authority (NYPA). Besides being fun to drive, this Porsche Taycan 4S can pull 200+ kW. It's currently the only EV capable of testing commercial charging stations at those ultra-fast speeds.

We also want to give a special shout-out to one of our project partners, PlugIn Stations Online LLC (PISO), which installed these particular charging stations.

A New Era for Transportation

The push for cleaner transportation options is gaining momentum!

New Jersey is now considering phasing out gas car sales by 2035 in order to reach its goal of 80% carbon-dioxide reductions by 2050. This would make New Jersey the FIRST state on the East Coast to enact such a policy.

Other U.S. states—as well as countries worldwide—have announced similar plans. Check it out: http://ow.ly/okrT50CmFTP

Test Your EV Charger With This Cool Ride!

This sporty Porsche Taycan 4S is currently the ONLY electric vehicle capable of charging at 200+ kW. At those speeds, you can get a 0 to 80% charge in as little as 15 minutes!

Right now, Voltrek is offering white-glove testing services for 200+ kW chargers with this Taycan. This service is available only for a short time, so reserve NOW—contact us via www.voltrek.com to get started!

The Road to Cleaner Air

Did you know that nearly half of America’s population lives in areas with harmful air pollution?

According to new research by the American Lung Association, approximately 150 million people live in counties affected by unhealthy ozone or particle pollution—most of which is caused by the transportation sector. The most vulnerable populations are children, seniors, individuals with chronic health conditions, lower-income communities and people of color.

A nationwide transition to zero-emission transportation solutions is vital to achieving clean, healthy air for everyone. By 2050, this shift could save approximately 6,300 lives and avoid up to $72 billion in health harms annually.

The road to cleaner air requires immediate action. To learn how you can help, download this free report from the American Lung Association: http://ow.ly/UPkh50CmEPn

The road to cleaner air requires immediate action.