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). 
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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  tconnolly@wellesleyma.gov.

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 climateaction@wellesleyma.gov. 

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 info@sustainablewellesley.com.

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.