Contact: Patrick Harbison 916-747-9143
pharbison@pluginamerica.org
PLUG IN AMERICA AWARDED $500,000 FROM U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO ADVANCE ELECTRIC VEHICLE USAGE IN NEW ENGLAND
LOS ANGELES, Calif., November 22, 2016 – Plug In America has been awarded $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy to invest in the promotion and adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) in the Northeastern states including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It will be implemented in collaboration with each of the state governments and Clean Cities coalitions in each state.
The project, “Advancing PEV Adoption in New England,” focuses on accelerating the deployment of all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in the region. The project also contributes to DOE’s EV Everywhere Grand Challenge, which seeks to make the United States the first country to produce a wide array of plug-in electric models that are as affordable and convenient as the gasoline powered vehicles we drive today by 2022.
A recent study from the Union of Concerned Scientists and Consumers Union found that over 43 percent of drivers in the Northeast could use an electric vehicle (EV) today. Over one-third of Northeast survey respondents said they would consider an EV for their next vehicle purchase or lease, and over half had some interest in EV technology.
“It is our mission to educate the public and promote the value of EVs throughout the country,” Joel Levin, Executive Director of Plug in America said. “This technology offers tremendous benefits to New England, from the air quality improvements, to the cost savings on fuel and maintenance, to the convenience of never having to gas up your car in winter weather.”
Funds from the award will be used for ride and drive events that allow people to directly experience the vehicles. It also will provide training, resources, and recognition for local automotive dealerships that sell electric vehicles.
The project is supported by the Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy under award number DE-EE0007789.
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About Plug In America
Plug In America is the leading national consumer voice promoting the use of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States to consumers, policymakers, auto manufacturers and others. Formed as a non-profit in 2008, Plug In America provides practical, objective information collected from our coalition of plug-in vehicle drivers, through public outreach and education, policy work and a range of technical advisory services. Our expertise represents the world’s deepest pool of experience of driving and living with plug-in vehicles. The organization conceived National Drive Electric Week and has advanced workplace charging by pioneering ride-and-drive events at such leading corporations as Google, Mattel and Paramount Pictures. We drive electric. You can too. pluginamerica.org.
