Electric vehicles (EV) can be key part of a low-carbon, consumer-friendly energy future. That is the broad point of a letter from a coalition comprised of 67 organizations, including utilities, private companies, business groups, EV advocacy groups, and environmental groups, calling on the Governors and Governors-Elect in the 11 Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states to make a top priority developing policies that support EVs going forward.
The groups contend that EVs benefit not only consumers but “the regional economy, energy independence, public health, and the environment,” and urge state leaders to use new or existing high-level state task forces to provide incentives for consumers, such as rebates and sales tax waivers for EV sales and leases and HOV lane access.
“Since EVs have little or no conventional tailpipe emissions, they can be a key component to improving health outcomes and reducing costs to treat illnesses caused or worsened by this pollution. EVs also have significant climate benefits,” the letter states. “With the current electricity generation mix in the region, a car that only uses electricity from the grid will be responsible for 50-70 percent less greenhouse gas pollution than a comparable gasoline-only vehicle. As we shift to cleaner sources of electricity, public health and environmental benefits of EVs will only increase over time.”
As such, the groups recommend the creation of an electric utility framework to accommodate current and increase future EV adoption and benefits with programs to promote low-cost charging at night when overall electricity usage is low, grid planning, and targeted infrastructure investments. In turn, facilitating the build out of EV charging stations would follow.
Educating consumers, businesses, workplaces, dealerships, and municipalities on the benefits and opportunities of promoting EVs is also key, according to the groups who say that states should lead by example by purchasing EVs and installing charging stations for their fleets
“Electric vehicles have established a solid foothold in the market over the last few years,” said Mark LeBel, staff attorney for Acadia Center. “Even at current gas prices, an average driver can save over $400 per year in fuel costs by switching from gasoline to electricity. Each of these states has a wide range of steps that they can take to support progress on EVs and ultimately make them affordable for everyone.”
Electric utilities in the region support the adoption of EVs and will continue to build on the role that they have been playing.
“We support the development of the EV market in order to help the region’s drivers reduce their fuel costs, to advance the Northeast’s carbon reduction goals, and to reduce reliance on imported fuel sources,” said Ed White, vice president of customer strategy and environment for National Grid. “By helping expand the charging infrastructure for EVs and investing in our company EV fleet, National Grid is helping advance the market and meet the evolving needs of our customers and communities.”
Source: Fierceenergy.com