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. |
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