The next decade on Connecticut roads may very well be defined by the sounds of silence – electric vehicles. Twenty-five-thousand plug-in vehicles on state roads by 2020 is the goal and vision embraced by Governor M. Jodi Rell and her Electric Vehicles Infrastructure Council.
The 25,000 target is one of the many recommendations the Council included in its final report this week to the Governor on comprehensive ways to prepare the state for the advent of the new generation of zero-emission electric vehicles (EV). The Governor created the Council in November through Executive Order No. 34 to establish ways the state can rapidly and seamlessly accommodate the clean fuel cars through public policy, infrastructure and education.
“Connecticut is literally plugged into the future,” Governor Rell said. “We want to be a national leader in this emerging industry and the work of the Council clearly puts us in the driver’s seat. Carmakers have taken notice and that is why Chevrolet has chosen Connecticut to be one of the first markets for its ‘Volt.’
“I want our state to be, essentially, a magnet for all facets of the electric vehicle industry – from manufacturers, to component suppliers, to auto dealers. The blueprint from the EV council and the industry relationships we have made will allow us to attract and create jobs for an industry with great potential as we put more EVs onto our roads and in our garages,” the Governor said.
The state’s commitment for EVs complements Governor Rell’s Energy Vision for a Cleaner, Greener State, which set a goal of increasing the percentage of clean, renewable energy consumed by state government from all sources to 20 percent by the year 2020. The federal EPA recently recognized Connecticut as one of the national leaders in purchasing renewable energy. For the third year in a row, Connecticut made the list of EPA’s top 50 Green Power Partners.
The Governor said the EV Council’s goals ties in to the national goal of 1 million EVs on U.S. roads by 2015. The Obama administration has committed more than $4 billion to support design, manufacture and purchase of EVs.
In addition to Chevrolet and other manufacturers, Nissan is working closely with Council members to promote the roll-out in Connecticut of its EV, the Nissan Leaf. Just recently, the Governor announced that Northeast Utilities and Enfield-based Control Module Industries will install an EV charging station at the state Capitol complex at no charge to taxpayers.
“I am extremely grateful for the council’s thorough efforts in laying the essential groundwork for electric vehicles and the positive and powerful impact it will have on our economy and our classrooms,” Governor Rell said. “Training and educating a ‘green collar’ workforce is already underway in Connecticut and by supporting this industry, we are ensuring a pathway to prosperity for our future.”
Among the recommendations in the final report are:
Incentive programs for consumers, auto dealers and manufacturers and EV research and development (R&D)
* Tax incentives for individuals and businesses for EV purchases
* Allow EVs in High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes
* Install charging stations at state buildings and attractions, such as state parks, museums, rest stops, train stations, libraries and public parking lots
* Clean vehicle parking incentives
* Review and target state lending programs to support existing and start-up EV businesses
* Aggressively recruit California-based EV companies to make Connecticut their East Coast affiliate
* Offer grants and loans for alternative vehicle and fueling infrastructure
* Offer tax exemptions and tax credits for EV components manufacturers
* Pursue federal grants to support EV infrastructure and research
Chaired by Department of Public Utility Commissioner Kevin DelGobbo, the council comprises representatives from Departments of Public Utility Control, Economic and Community Development, Environmental Protection, Motor Vehicles, Administrative Services, Transportation, utilities, environmental groups and the business community.
For more information, the final report is available at: http://www.ct.gov/ecd/lib/ecd/final_ev_report_9-1-10.pdf
