This is part of a collection of case studies that focus on creative charging solutions for EV drivers in multifamily housing. For more information and the full collection, visit our Charging Solutions for EV Drivers in Multifamily Housing hub.
Challenge
While public EV chargers are often theoretically accessible to everyone, they can be located in parking garages that require EV drivers to pay entrance fees. So, how can a city ensure that everyone can fairly access EV chargers without access to a home charger?
Objectives and solutions
“Recharge Boston: Boston’s Zero Emission Vehicle Program” is an initiative in the capital of Massachusetts designed to ensure that every household in the city is within a 10-minute walk of a publicly available EV charging station. To ensure this can happen, the city is installing 250 curbside EV chargers across the city over a 2-year period.
it’s electric and Greenspot are two private-sector companies that are installing public EV chargers in Boston to provide curbside charging at no cost to the city. it’s electric will install Level 2 charging posts, which get power from nearby private buildings. Buildings are compensated for energy usage, and property managers and owners can sign up to become property partners. EV drivers will then be able to sign up for it’s electric and receive a portable EV charging cord which can be used to charge at any of it’s electric’s chargers in Boston.
Greenspot will also install curbside chargers and manage its charging network free of charge for the city of Boston. It will charge drivers for electricity to generate revenue to offset the cost of installing, owning, and operating the chargers. The average charging cost for drivers is expected to be about $0.35/kWh, and drivers can pay for the charge via a mobile application or using their credit/debit cards.
The city of Boston keeps a publicly available map of the chargers currently available to residents, and chargers that are coming online soon, to keep residents informed and updated.
Elements for Success
- The use of surplus power from private buildings reduces the need for utility upgrades and ensures the project is replicable and scalable.
- The solution’s model ensure the plan comes at no cost to the city itself and even incentivizes property managers and owners to make extra income by providing a home base for electricity.
References
Recap:
Charging cost: $0.35/kWh
Charging type: Public
Problem addressed: Access
Solution type: Policy
