Eversource and National Grid Launch Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Programs

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Electrical vehicle (EV) owners will experience one less obstacle as they hit the road in Massachusetts thanks to Eversource and National Grid. During the Building Tech Forum, the two companies discussed their EV charging infrastructure offerings.

The goal of the statewide initiative is to facilitate the installation of more than 4,000 new charging stations by paying for the electrical infrastructure improvements needed beyond the meter to support EV chargers, an expense of thousands of dollars traditionally borne by the site owner. Eversource has a goal of 3,500 chargers by 2020, and National Grid has a goal of 600 chargers in their Massachusetts service territory by 2020.

“It’s forecasted that by 2030 there will be nearly 600 electric vehicle models,” said James Cater, Eversource. “One of the leading deterrents to adoption, though, is ‘range anxiety,’ or the fear of being stranded without a charging station nearby. With the EV charging infrastructure programs, both companies, Eversource and National Grid, are working with businesses and municipalities across the state to increase public charging access and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by installing electric vehicle service equipment.”

How does the initiative work?

Building owners, managers, or operators apply to become site hosts. Once approved, Eversource and National Grid, cover all of the infrastructure costs and implementation needed to install the charging stations – which generally accounts for 50-90 percent of total costs associated with installing EV charging stations.  The site host is then responsible for purchasing and installing the charging stations. However, some site hosts take advantage of Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program Grants to offset or completely cover the costs of the charging stations.

If a site is within an eligible Environmental Justice Community, the companies will also pay for the chargers and their installation. Both Eversource and National Grid have earmarked 10 percent of sites to be in Environmental Justice Communities.

Who is an ideal site host?

Businesses or municipalities with large parking areas or where people are likely to be parked for a while such as public parking spaces, apartment complexes, places of employment, universities, and hospitals are ideal site hosts. The initiative also supports the installation of a limited number of Level III “DC Fast” chargers along travel corridors.

Are new construction projects eligible?

Yes! Planning for EV charging access at the construction phase of a new building makes it easier to make the needed electrical infrastructure improvements and counts toward LEED v4 Green Building certification.

For more information about EV charging stations and how to become a site host, please visit Eversource.com or NationalGrid.com