See Press Release Below:
BOSTON – Boston City Councilors Ed Flynn and Matt O’Malley are filing a hearing order at this week’s City Council meeting to discuss Boston’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and plans to transition our municipal vehicle fleet to electric vehicles. A significant driver of climate change, sea level rise, and pollution is transportation. One of the most important ways to cut carbon emissions is to encourage the adoption of personal EVs, and replacing the municipal fleet with EVs. This hearing aims to discuss measures to further invest in EV infrastructure, as well as increasing the number of EV charging stations in Boston, both at new construction developments and municipal locations.
With the most recent bipartisan infrastructure bill by the Biden Administration, there is a proposed $7.5 billion in funding to build EV charging stations across the country, presenting an unprecedented opportunity for our city to expand our EV infrastructure. In addition, the Budget Reconciliation legislation would also increase tax credits for purchasing EVs to $12,500. It is therefore timely and important that we discuss how we can leverage this potential funding to expand our EV charging infrastructure, and our plan to electrify Boston’s municipal fleet.
Transportation accounts for nearly a third of Boston’s total greenhouse gas emissions, 65% of which comes from personal vehicles. To reach carbon neutrality and address climate change, the City sets a goal for 23% of new car purchases in the City are electric vehicles by 2025, and that every household is within a 10-minute walk of an EV car share facility or a publicly accessible charging station by 2030. Moreover, under the City’s Electric Vehicle Readiness Policy, all vehicles purchased for the Central Fleet must be EVs or zero emission vehicles (ZEV), or best in class if an appropriate ZEV is not available, with the goal of having a fully emissions free fleet by 2060. However, the available charging infrastructure does not meet current demand, and is insufficient to further encourage a transition to EVs.
“As our country aims to adapt to cleaner technologies, we need to ensure that the City of Boston has the infrastructure in place- both at new developments, as well as our public facilities, schools and municipal lots- to meet future demand and further incentivize neighbors to transition to EVs in the coming years,” said Councilor Flynn. “We should also discuss accelerating the transition of our city’s municipal fleet, to ensure that we reach our carbon neutrality goals and do our part to combat pollution, climate change and sea level rise.”
“The City of Boston must maintain its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Investing in Electric Vehicle infrastructure is essential in order to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions,” said Councilor O’Malley. “As we continue to push for the adoption of electric vehicles and other zero-emission transportation, we must ensure that the infrastructure is accessible and affordable for residents.”
For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 or [email protected].
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
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