 Hear from a few Wellesley residents about why they love driving an electric vehicle. Many shared their enthusiasm at Wellesley's recent Electric Vehicle Test Drive and Owner's Showcase event, organized by the Wellesley Municipal Light Plant, Climate Action Committee and Sustainable Wellesley.
What wasn't captured here, and is very unique about driving electric in Wellesley, is that cars are powered with more than 60% non-emitting electricity. This is important as transportation is approximately 30% of Wellesley's emissions. Thank you Wellesley Media, and Wellesley volunteers for their time and sharing their stories at Wellesley's EV Test Drive and Showcase Event.  What a wonderful weekend it was. There were so many highlights including spotting the Wellesley Free Library's electric van with reusable decorations at the parade. The Chief of Police was also spotted driving an electric police cruiser.
The Library's van was purchased with capital funds, and the process was facilitated by the Department of Public Work's Brian Zabchuk who made sure to get the $7,500 reimbursement from the Mass EVIP grant, and installed the charging station. This 2023 Ford E-transit T-350 BEV Cargo van is used primarily to make deliveries to and from the branches.  Yes, the UN's Intergovernmental Committee on Climate Change report was not what we wanted to hear. Are you ready to do something about it? Taking actions (big and small) will improve your mood.
Here are 3 upcoming events you can help out with. One will surely be something you care about. Space is limited so sign up soon. (we couldn't resist). 1) Food waste: Sign up here to help out on April 29th and May 6th. A group of us (all ages) will be at the Recycling and Disposal Facility (RDF...aka "dump") sharing the news about Wellesley's free food waste (bones too!) program. We will be handing out free food waste collection starter kits to residents to put in their kitchens in an effort to increase food waste diversion from residential trash. Collecting food waste separately keeps it out of a landfill and creates clean energy; furthermore, it’s easy. 2) Idling: Sign up here to help out with Wellesley's Go Idle Free in 2023 initiative. Starting the week of April 25th, Wellesley Green Schools, the Wellesley Police Department and other parents and students will walk car lines (before they start moving at school dismissal time) at all Wellesley Public Schools asking drivers to take a pledge to Go Idle Free in 2023! We now know that over 30% of Wellesley's GHG emissions come from transportation and that 30% of Wellesley's traffic is school-related. 3) Electric Vehicles (EV): Help out with the upcoming EV Test Drive and Showcase event on Thursday May 11, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. (rain date: Wednesday May 17). We are starting to collect names of folks willing to 1)showcase their electric vehicle and 2) help the day of at the good vibes, fun event. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in helping out at the event. Stay tuned for more information on details of event for those that want to participate.  MAKE YOUR NEXT CAR AN EV, SAVE ON ANNUAL FUEL AND MAINTENANCE COSTS, AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FEDERAL TAX CREDITS AND STATE
Are you thinking about buying an electric vehicle (EV)? The Town of Wellesley’s Municipal Light Plant and Sustainable Wellesley announce a free event where you can test drive an EV and get answers to your EV or plug-in hybrid questions from local car owners. Reserve your spot by clicking here: https://form.jotform.com/Go_EV/Oct16. The event takes place on Sunday, October 16 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot at MassBay Community College at 50 Oakland Street in Wellesley. Rain date is Sunday October 23, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., same location. Test drives are limited, based on order of registration so sign up here now to get a spot. Test drives available based on order of pre-registration, and a valid driver’s license is required. As of September 26, these EVs will be available for test drive: ● Audi e-tron ● BMW i4 ● BMW iX ● Chevy Bolt EUV ● Ford Mustang Mach-E ● Ford F-150 Lightning ● Tesla Model 3 ● Tesla Model Y ● Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S AWD SUV Wellesley residents who own these EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles will be showcasing their cars and ready to answer your questions: ● Audi e-tron ● BMW i3 ● Chrysler Pacifica PHEV ● Ford Mustang Mach-e ● Mini Cooper Hybrid Countryman ● Kia Niro ● Nissan Leaf ● Tesla Model 3 ● Tesla Model Y ● Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV ● Volkswagen ID4 Driving an EV can save you as much as $1,000 every year on fuel costs—significant in the face of rising gas prices. EV owners can expect to save up to $8,000 in maintenance costs over the life of their car because EVs don’t require the regular oil changes and periodic tune-ups of a gas- powered, internal combustion engine car. In addition, the initial purchase cost for eligible EVs and hybrid vehicles can be offset by a $7,500 federal tax credit and $2,500 Massachusetts state rebate. The Wellesley Municipal Light Plant offers an $96 annual electric bill credit for EV owners who charge their vehicles during off-peak hours. To learn more, visit the Wellesley Drives Electric webpage. Vehicle exhaust accounts for more than 34 percent of Wellesley’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The Town of Wellesley, our state, and our country have set ambitious GHG emissions reduction goals. Driving an EV is one way you can help our community reach these goals. Test drives are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so sign-up now.  Curious about getting an electric vehicle (EV), but not sure where to start? Join Green Energy Consumers Alliance on Thursday, July 21 from 12-1pm for their popular Electric Vehicles 101 webinar to learn the basics! The webinar will cover environmental and consumer benefits, information about batteries and charging, state and federal incentives, and there will be plenty of time to answer questions. Register for link here.
 Tues. June 14, noon to 12:45 p.m.
via Zoom Free Register here Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity because they're fun to drive, cost less to fuel and maintain, and are better for the environment. Join Mal Skowron, policy & program coordinator at Green Energy Consumers to to learn more about the benefits of EVs, how quickly the car market is changing in Massachusetts, and how to consider charging infrastructure for your business. Green Energy Consumers Alliance is a non-profit organization based in Boston with the mission to harness the power of energy consumers to speed the transition to a low carbon future. This event is organized by the Charles River Chamber of Commerce. At last week's Electric Vehicle (EV) event, more than 115 Wellesley residents were able to test drive an EV in just 3 hours. Plus, attendees had the opportunity to learn firsthand about EV ownership from fellow residents and speak to EV coaches about the Wellesley Drives Electric Program. If you missed this fun community event, you can see some highlights here and below is information you may find helpful.
An EV is increasingly affordable, thanks to a federal tax credit (up to $7,500), a MA state rebate (up to $2,500), a charging equipment rebate (up to $1,000), and an annual $96 electric bill credit offered by the Town of Wellesley when you charge your EV off-peak at home. Plus, an EV costs less to fuel and maintain, too. According to AAA, the average cost for a gallon of gas is $4.48 today in MA, while the average rate per kilowatt hour for residential electricity customers in Wellesley is $.16. That means if you drive an average of 1,000 miles a month, and charge your EV off-peak, you will save $1,150 per year on fuel alone. Some maintenance, such as regular oil changes, are eliminated with an EV, so you can save $8,000 or more over the life of an EV in maintenance costs compared to a gas-powered car. Federal regulation mandates that automakers guarantee EV batteries for a minimum of eight years. Are you concerned about climate change? Deciding to make your next car an EV is a terrific way to reduce your personal climate impact, because electric cars produce little to no pollution. For a cheat sheet on even more things you can do to be part of climate action in Wellesley, click here.  Wellesley is finalizing its Sustainable Mobility Plan, which will expand access for all to key areas in our community and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
Electric vehicles (EVs) are one of the top strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts. Share your thoughts on EVs by taking a brief survey. Your responses are confidential and will help the Town develop priorities for sustainable mobility in our community. The survey is open until Tuesday, December 14, 2021. Contact the Select Board Office with any questions.  Join the Zoom TONIGHT at 7.30pm to hear one woman's story how she walked away from tailpipe emissions and is loving her electric car. Its a great way you can take real action.
Register here. Sharon Kirby, a member of Sustainable Wellesley, generally tries to “do the right thing.” When it was time to buy a new car, she did her homework, ultimately choosing an Electric Vehicle (EV). She is so thrilled with her choice that she offered to share her research with us in this simple half-hour presentation. She has some surprising discoveries about Electric Vehicles and Hybrids. There will be plenty of time for questions afterward. For car lovers, prepare to get excited and know you will be defending the planet as well. Believe it or not, 43% of Wellesley’s carbon emissions are due to the use of gas and diesel vehicles that rely on internal combustion engines. In other words, transportation in and around Wellesley is one of the single largest cause of greenhouse gases in our town. So when you drive; drive electric. There are a variety of mobility options in and around Wellesley. If you are in the market for a car- new or pre-owned - small or large - join the conversation tonight and/or head over to the parking lot next to the library to see a variety of electric and hybrid cars this Saturday, October 2nd from 1-4pm. See and talk to owners of Polestar 2 Mustang Mach-E Tesla Model Y Audi e-tron SUV MINI Countryman Plug-In Hyundai KONA Chevrolet Bolt Chevrolet Volt Toyota Prius Prime Tesla Model 3 Volkswagen ID.4 Nissan LEAF Chrysler Pacifica Register here or just come on by. Both events are free and open to all. Ask about incentives on electric vehicles!  You are invited to the first Fall Sustainable Wellesley Action Meeting on Zoom this Thursday, 7.30-8.30pm. We will be powering you up with ideas on ways you can help Wellesley lower its greenhouse gas emissions starting with how you get around.
Believe it or not, 43% of Wellesley’s carbon emissions are due to the use of gas and diesel vehicles that rely on internal combustion engines. In other words, transportation in and around Wellesley is one of the single largest cause of greenhouse gases in our town. There are a variety of mobility options in and around Wellesley. If you are in the market for a car- new or pre-owned - small or large - we have some events for you. Join the Zoom this Thursday night to hear one woman's story how she walked away from tailpipe emissions and is loving her electric car. Its one way you can take real action. Register here. Sharon Kirby, a member of Sustainable Wellesley, generally tries to “do the right thing.” When it was time to buy a new car, she did her homework, ultimately choosing an Electric Vehicle (EV). She is so thrilled with her choice that she offered to share her research with us in this simple half-hour presentation. She has some surprising discoveries about Electric Vehicles and Hybrids. There will be plenty of time for questions afterward. You can also see a variety of electric and hybrid cars this Saturday, October 2nd from 1-4pm at the Cameron Street parking lot on Cameron St . Come see and talk to owners of Chevy Volt, Chevy Bolt, Ford Mustang, Ford Fusion, Mini Cooper, Mini Countryman, Nissan Leaf, Tesla S, Tesla Y, Tesla 3, Toyota Prius, Volkswagen ID4, Chrysler Pacifica, and more! Register here. Both events are free and open to all. Thursday, Sept. 30, 4-5 p.m.
via Zoom Free, open to all Energy New England Drives Electric Learn about new EV choices available this year and get your questions answered by EV experts at this National Drive Electric Week virtual event. REGISTER _________________________________________________________________________________ Thursday, Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m. via Zoom Free, open to all EVs, PHEVs, Hybrids: Car Options for Today A Wellesley resident and EV owner will share her firsthand perspective on EVs and answer attendee questions at this Sustainable Wellesley virtual event. REGISTER _________________________________________________________________________________ Sat. Oct. 2, 1-4 p.m. Free, open to all Wellesley EV Showcase (part of Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend) View different makes and models of EVs in-person and chat with Wellesley residents about their experiences owning and driving EVs. This event takes place at the Cameron Street parking lot in Wellesley. Come see and talk to owners of Chevy Volt, Chevy Bolt, Ford Mustang, Ford Fusion, Mini Cooper, Mini Countryman, Nissan Leaf, Tesla S, Tesla Y, Tesla 3, Toyota Prius, Volkswagen ID4, Chrysler Pacifica, and more! REGISTER  Considering buying an electric vehicle (EV), or just want to better understand what it’s like to own and drive one?
Transportation accounts for 43% of Wellesley’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The Town of Wellesley has set an ambitious climate goal of achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050 and interim goals of a 50% reduction by 2030 and 75% reduction by 2040. Driving an EV is one way you can reduce your environmental impact and help our community reach these goals. Learn more about electric vehicles at three upcoming events to help you become an informed buyer: Thursday September 30, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Energy New England Drives Electric Learn about new EV choices available this year and get your questions answered by EV experts at this National Drive Electric Week virtual event. Sign-up here. Thursday September 30, 7:30 p.m. EVs, PHEVs, Hybrids: Car Options for Today Sharon Kirby, a Wellesley resident and EV owner, will share her firsthand perspective on EVs and answer attendee questions at this Sustainable Wellesley virtual event. Sign-up here. Saturday October 2, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Wellesley EV Showcase (part of Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend) View different makes and models of EVs in-person and chat with Wellesley residents about their experiences owning and driving EVs. This event takes place at the Cameron Street parking lot in Wellesley. Sign-up here. EVs are fun to drive and more affordable than ever, thanks to a $7,500 federal tax credit, a $2,500 Massachusetts state rebate, and a Green Energy Consumer Alliance Drive Green discount. And the savings continue, because an EV owner can save up to $1,000 per year on fuel and maintenance costs when compared to a traditional gas powered vehicle. “We can all help combat climate change by choosing an EV the next time we buy or lease a new or used car," said Dr. Marybeth Martello, Wellesley’s Sustainability Director. "The U.S., along with more than 140 other nations, the state of Massachusetts, and Wellesley are actively working to curtail greenhouse gas emissions. We all can make a difference.” ABOUT These EV events and information are offered at no cost to all residents through a partnership between: Sustainable Wellesley, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that engages residents, businesses and the town of Wellesley to take sustainable actions to protect our climate; reduce pollution of air, land and water; preserve biodiversity; minimize waste; and ensure environmental justice. The Wellesley Climate Action Committee which engages our community and establishes goals, actions, metrics, and implementation blueprints for building resilience and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Wellesley Drives Electric, a program offered by the Municipal Light Plant to inform Wellesley residents about the benefits of driving an electric car and the electric utility bill savings available by charging an EV at home overnight. Contact Terry Connolly, Wellesley Municipal Light Plant for more detail at 781-489-7766 or at [email protected].  The Federal Tax Credit, MA State Rebate, and Drive Green Dealer Discounts Can Lower the Purchase Price of an Electric Vehicle
The town of Wellesley is striving to achieve a 50 percent, community-wide reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. Transportation currently accounts for 43 percent of Wellesley’s greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicles (EVs) are an important part of Wellesley’s emissions reduction strategy along with increased biking, walking, and use of public transit. For those considering buying a new EV, current federal tax credit, state rebate, and Green Energy Consumer Alliance Drive Green programs offer significant savings. The Drive Green program, for example, offers negotiated dealer discounts on EVs from a range of makers, including Chevrolet, Mitsubishi, and Nissan, making it easy to compare prices and find a dealership with knowledgeable sales staff. Special offers on pre-owned EV and hybrid vehicles are also available. Tesla EVs are not part of the Drive Green program. “Transportation, along with buildings, is a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Wellesley,” said Dr. Marybeth Martello, Wellesley’s Sustainability Director. “Every one of us can help combat climate change by replacing older, gas-powered vehicles with EVs. EV purchase incentives make it more cost-effective for each of us to do our part.” As one example, a new Hyundai Kona Electric, an EV with a battery range of 258 miles, is now available for just $24,497. Normally retailing for $38,575, this EV is available now for $14,078 less, thanks to a Green Energy Consumer Alliance Drive Green discount, a federal tax credit, and the state of Massachusetts MOR-EV rebate: $38,575 Retail price ($4,078) Drive green dealer discount ($2,500) MA state rebate ($7,500) Federal tax credit $24,497 Final effective price To learn about the Green Energy Consumer Alliance, click here. To learn more about Wellesley’s Climate Action Plan, click here. To comment or ask a question, email [email protected].  There are electric car charging stations everywhere you want to go this summer.
Its possible to relax at the beach, enjoy parks, visit family and friends all without using a drop of fuel! Thinking of buying an electric vehicle? Use Plugshare or ChargePoint to find convenient places to charge your car. We would love to hear about your recent EV purchase and your experiences. Please share them at [email protected]. Know that driving less and driving electric are impactful ways you can help Wellesley, Mass., and the federal government reach greenhouse gas reduction goals and build resiliency. This month you can get up to $8,500 off of the Nissan LEAF Plus (220 mile range) through the Green Energy Consumer Alliance’s Drive Green discount program. Add in the $7,500 federal tax credit and the $2500 Massachusetts state tax credit too!
This is one example, but there are many options to choose from. Learn which electric car model best fit your lifestyle and needs. Consider what works better for you depending on the miles typically driven per day, types of long trips you plan to take in your vehicle, and how much passenger and cargo space you need. Get more information how EV's work, which type of EV is right for you, and the how you can save money by making the switch to electric by clicking here or here.  In June, you can get up to $8,500 off of the Nissan LEAF Plus - yes the one with a 220 mile range - plus the $7,500 tax credit.
Read about new and pre-owned electric and hybrid vehicle deals from Drive Green here. Their site makes it easy to view available electric car models, compare prices, and find a dealership with knowledgeable sales staff. Not sure about making the switch to electric? Watch this 1 minute video.  If you missed the Sustainable Wellesley/Wellesley Books discussion with author Paul Greenberg about his inspiring, accessible book, the Climate Diet last week, you can watch it here.
What a treat for our group to hear directly from the author! "Naked food" and "shipped vs. flown" were just a few of the inspirational stories he shared on ways we can address our own household carbon footprints. As Paul says, "everyone can and should do something," and this book offers a wide array of things you can do. He calls this book a "peace offering," for adults and teens/millennials that shares ideas that are not only good for the planet, but good for your health and wallet too. Take some time to read The Climate Diet this summer. Its short, informative and available at the library and the local book store! Then share the book; we all have something to learn.  New, Updated Gas Leaks Map shows Wellesley still has 250 unrepaired pipeline leaks, emitting a whooping 91 MT of methane (natural gas).
This puts Wellesley in the state’s top 11 emitters of methane, with the other 10 being much larger cities & towns: Worcester, Weymouth, Quincy, Newton, Medford, Lynn, Dorchester, Brookline, Arlington and Boston. Methane has more than 80 times the climate warming power of carbon dioxide during the first 20 years after it reaches the atmosphere. Leaky, corroded pipes run all over under our town and the entire state. The estimated cost to repair all if these pipes is enormous, at the ratepayers’ expense. Despite the fact that 70 pipe lines have been repaired in Wellesley so far, it seems even more leaks have sprung anew. It’s time to stop using “natural “ gas for our heating and cooking. Gas is unhealthy, dangerous, costly (we are paying for all those leaks!), and bad for the environment. Consider going electric! Email us to learn more!  Give input on Wellesley's Sustainable Mobility Plan (SMP).
As part of the SMP, the Town has launched a series of short surveys to gather more information on a range of mobility topics. Each survey takes five minutes or less to complete. Please respond to as many or few that apply to your travel and spread the word to friends and family. The most recent survey asks about school travel and is designed for either students or parents. Your input is important as we seek ways to make low impact travel modes (walking, biking, buses) safer and more attractive. In addition to the school survey, we encourage you to take any previous surveys that apply to how you travel, get deliveries, and plan for future travel. The first five of 10 surveys are available at this link under the “Wellesley Wheelhouse” Tab. So far the topics focus on: Survey 1- Work from Home trends Survey 2 - Biking and E-bicycles Survey 3 - Use of Ridehailing Services (e.g. Uber and Lyft) Survey 4 - Use of E-commerce Survey 5 - School Travel In the future watch for surveys on autonomous vehicles, bikability, use of food delivery services, microtransit, and electric vehicles. If you have questions, please email [email protected]. Thank you for your help with this community project!  If electric vehicles (EV) prices still give you pause, or if your steadfast mantra is “reuse,” then read this blog “Affordable Used Car Roundup,” which highlights where to find used EV deals in and around Wellesley. For example, a 2014 Chevy Volt priced at $10,699 before rebates and incentives, and a 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf for $13,998 are listed. It's part of Energy New England’s Wellesley Drives Electric program offering useful nuggets of information for all things EV. If you want to be an EV driver, or already are and want to do even more to fuel the trend, read these 3 insider tips.
1. EV interested residents as well as existing EV drivers looking for home charging incentives and installation info can connect with a Wellesley Drives Electric EV specialist via the website, which has a contact form, email address ([email protected]) and toll-free telephone number (1-833-443-8363). This 1-on-1 help and support is a free service available to all Wellesley residents. Specialists can even help you to set up a local in-person first test drive of an EV (as health and safety allows). 2. The site is also home to the Wellesley Drives Electric EV Action Committee, a group of EV Ambassadors that meet quarterly to provide a forum to ask questions and make suggestions for new program initiatives, according to Alex Banat Wellesley Drives Electric EV Specialist. 3. Wellesley Drives Electric is also co-sponsoring a virtual Earth Day event on April 22 at 6 p.m. Register here and join a drawing to win a $250 gift card. Several area town Drive Electric programs are partnering for the event, which will teach some EV basics and highlight how EVs can help the earth and benefit consumer pocketbooks. An interactive Q&A will follow the program. |
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