PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Shell Gas Stations in Cheshire, Great Barrington, and Pittsfield were awarded Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) to install electric vehicle charging ports. 

 

The Baker-Polito Administration announced that $13.1 million in grants have been awarded to 54 government and private entities under the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) to install 306 Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) electric vehicle charging ports at 150 locations. 

 

"Our administration understands the importance of reliable infrastructure supporting the Commonwealths energy future," said Governor Charlie Baker. "Today's announcement is a step towards the increased deployment of these clean vehicles, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and public health, enhance energy diversity and promote economic growth."

 

Equilon Enterprises LLC, doing businss as Shell Oil Products US, has gas stations in Cheshire, Great Barrington, and Pittsfield. Each station will receive $100,000 to install two ports.

 

Blink Charging LLC in Lenox also recived $100,000 to install two ports.

 

A full list of grantees can be found here.

 

The MassEVIP DCFC program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), provides grants covering 100 percent of the eligible cost to acquire and install publicly accessible DCFC electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at government-owned properties and 80 percent at all other locations, up to $50,000 per charging port.

 

"This Direct Current Fast Charging incentive program is another example of our administration's commitment to improving air quality for all," said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. "This program will support our efforts to grow the clean energy economy, transform the transportation system, and help Massachusetts attain our emissions reduction goals set under the Global Warming Solutions Act."

 

The $13.1 million awarded includes $1.5 million from Massachusetts' $75 million share of the $2.925 billion Environmental Mitigation Trust established nationally under the 2016 settlement between Volkswagen (VW) and the U.S. Department of Justice, and $11.6 million from the Massachusetts Climate Mitigation Trust. The Massachusetts VW Settlement Beneficiary Mitigation Plan (BMP) committed the Commonwealth to devoting the allowed 15 percent of VW funds to EV charging infrastructure, approximately $11.25 million. MassDEP also offers funding for Level 1 and Level 2 EV charging stations through the Public Access, Workplace and Fleet, and Multi-Unit Dwelling and Educational Campus charging programs.

 

"The transportation sector accounts for more than 40 percent of the greenhouse gases emitted in Massachusetts, so the deployment of more electric vehicles is an important step towards helping the Commonwealth's efforts to achieving our ambitious climate change mitigation goals," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. "Significantly, this program will also support environmental justice communities with the placement of 94 of the EV charging ports in EJ areas."

 

To further expand the Commonwealth's EV readiness, Massachusetts is working on a regional level with the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) to support the placement of EVs and charging stations throughout the region and to enhance the economic benefits associated with these vehicles. Additionally, some of the grantees plan to combine or leverage MassEVIP funding with make-ready infrastructure funding offered by National Grid and Eversource.

 

Under the DCFC program, all awardees must allow access to, and use of, the parking spaces and the EV charging station 24 hours per day, seven days a week. For each station installed, one parking space must be designated for plug-in EV use only and marked clearly through permanent, visible signage. Active enforcement is required. Furthermore, of the 54 entities selected for grants, publicly accessible charging ports will be installed on 43 government-owned properties, including in

 

"This is the first time that these Direct Current Fast Charging grants have been offered, which will complement our local and regional efforts to deploy electric vehicles and the charging infrastructure necessary to support a cleaner transportation system," said MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg. "Through this program, the Commonwealth and these awardees are continuing to show a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the benefit of our communities and the environment."