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Massachusetts

In Community, Massachusetts, Recharge Massachusetts

Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA) Hosts the Mass Black Expo

Runs October 6-8 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center

One of our core values at Recharge America is that people of all backgrounds should have access to the innovations and emerging technologies that make the world more sustainable and more livable. BECMA is one of our newest Participants in Massachusetts, and they’re already a key partner in helping us extend our work into communities of color. BECMA’s mission of closing the racial wealth gap in the Bay State directs their programming, and the Mass Black Expo (MBE) is one of their signature programs. Christopher Sonnie, Jr., BECMA’s Membership Coordinator, talked with us about what the MBE is and what they hope to accomplish with it. 

 

  1. Logo for Mass Black Expo: Building Black Wealth

    Register to attend or exhibit at http://massblackexpo.com

    Why does the Mass Black Expo exist?
    The Mass Black Expo offers a unique platform where Black entrepreneurs, Black professionals, and Black-owned businesses can collaborate alongside ally organizations. Together, they can join forces to not only bridge the racial wealth gap but also to cultivate and perpetuate Black prosperity. This event serves as a momentous occasion for the residents of the Commonwealth to gather and exchange innovative concepts, working collectively towards the realization of a more dynamic, inclusive, and fair economy.

  2. What positives have come out of the MBE in the past few years?
    The Mass Black Expo held last year drew in an impressive crowd of more than 2,000 attendees, featured an extensive showcase of over 100 exhibitors, and offered a comprehensive program of 30 workshops. This collective gathering provided an unforgettable and profoundly enriching experience for all involved.

  3. Who should attend? What will they get out of it?
    The Mass Black Expo is an inclusive event that welcomes a diverse spectrum of attendees, ranging from college students to young professionals and seasoned executives. This year’s theme, “Building Black Wealth in The Commonwealth,” promises engaging discussions, valuable networking opportunities, and a profound exploration of strategies to foster a more equitable and prosperous economy. It’s an event that holds something meaningful for everyone, making it a must-attend gathering.

  4. What’s new for 2023?
    2023 holds an array of exciting developments in store for us! Anticipate our upcoming expo, which is poised to be BECMA’s most monumental endeavor yet. What sets this year apart are three remarkable additions: the EV Kickstarter Test Drive, the Career Connect Forum, and the immersive Climate and Sustainability Experience.

  5. What are you, personally, most excited about this year?
    I’m personally excited about the EV Kickstarter Test Drive! This exceptional opportunity allows attendees to get behind the wheel of a variety of electric vehicles. Our goal is to equip the Commonwealth for the forthcoming shift towards electric mobility. And who knows, there might even be a Model 3 in the lineup!

Chris concluded by saying, “There’s so much more that we can’t talk about yet. We’re slowly releasing more information in the coming weeks. If anyone is interested in attending or learning more, they can visit www.massblackexpo.com.” And if you attend, be sure to stop by the Recharge America table in the sustainability hall to say hello!

In Community, Electric Vehicles, Massachusetts, Recharge Massachusetts

Successful Recharge Massachusetts Event on Cape Cod

Recharge Massachusetts held a very successful event at the Hyannis Transportation Center (HTC) on June 3! With test drive cars from Tesla, Ford, VW, Chevy, Toyota, and Lucid, plus showcase cars from both dealers and private owners, the attendees had a wide range of options for learning about EVs. The parking lot also served as a demonstration ground for the Steamship Authority’s brand-new electric bus and e-bikes from Sea Coast Cyclery. 

Exhibitors in tent at event   Lineup of cars for test drive48 attendees registered for test drives, with most of them driving two or three different models. Exhibitors under the tent, which was kept lively by a DJ courtesy of Cape Air, included the Cape Cod Commission, Cape Light Compact, Faith Communities Environmental Network, and the Green Energy Consumer Alliance. Energy companies, including Eversource, E2 Solar, and Energy New England, also participated to let consumers know how to qualify for rebates on home energy and EVs.

Despite a blustery, drizzly coastal New England day, a couple hundred attendees turned out for the event. We would like to thank everyone on the steering committee and at the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority for coming together to make this event work!

In Electric Vehicles, Massachusetts, MassEVolves

MassEVolves Spotlight: Boston University

Boston University (BU) is committed to meeting the climate action goals set forth by the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Through its Climate Action Plan, the University has also set its own robust targets to act on climate.

One important piece of BU’s Climate Action Plan is electrifying the University fleet. BU is committed to transitioning its fleet to electric and reducing direct emissions to zero by 2040. Working with a third party, the University conducted a study to identify suitable electric vehicle (EV) alternatives. By the end of fiscal year 2022, BU will pilot electric fleet vehicles and as departments request to replace vehicles, electric models will be given first priority.

The Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) has played a crucial role in Boston University’s continued expansion of its community-focused EV charging facilities. Across its Charles River Campus and Medical Campus, BU has 12 dual head electric vehicle charging stations with an eight more being installed. With the increased demand for electric vehicles, members of the BU community are taking full advantage of the infrastructure as it expands on our campuses.

Boston University is proud to be an active participant in MassEVolves and to support a clean energy future in Massachusetts and beyond.

Learn more about Boston University. To download the complete MassEVolves Boston University case study, click here.

MassEVolves is a statewide initiative conducted by Recharge America in partnership with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Environmental Protection. More information about the MassEVolves program is at massevolves.org.

In Electric Vehicles, Massachusetts, MassEVolves

MassEVolves Spotlight: Hampshire College

Hampshire College offers free electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on campus to their community as a way to build and support the infrastructure required for large scale adoption of electric vehicles. EVs are a key part of the school’s longstanding commitment to sustainability.

Hampshire provides four 220-volt EV charging stations free to the community, powered partly by the college’s solar fields. There's a time limit of three hours, and employees can work together to make sure that all vehicles are able to be charged daily as needed.

Hampshire’s R.W. Kern Center is a model for what a sustainable, equitably built environment can be. Hampshire produces 100 percent of the building's energy with rooftop solar, treats its own wastewater, and maintains a nearby meadow of indigenous plants to host local wildlife.

“When people come to visit Hampshire College, we want them to see what a beautiful, accessible sustainable campus looks like,” says Sara Draper, director of the R.W. Kern Center. “For us, providing free electric vehicle charging on campus for students, employees, and visitors is a way that we as an organization can help build and support the infrastructure required for large scale adoption of electric vehicles.”

Some of Hampshire's other sustainability efforts include a bike share and repair program, an onsite campus farm and CSA, two large-scale solar fields with capacity to provide for all campus electrical needs, and a residential composting program. Many of these programs started as student projects or were championed by student groups. Over the next two years, Hampshire hopes to grow their charging capabilities, offer educational test drive events for the community, generate an annual sustainability report with a section on transportation, and transition campus fleet vehicles to electric, including the President’s personal vehicle.

“I've heard personally from staff that knowing that there are already chargers on campus is a big factor in them deciding to buy an electric vehicle,” says Sara. “We know our students will continue to innovate and advocate with us to build the future we need and we know that electric vehicles and sustainable transit are part of that future.”

Learn more about Hampshire College at hampshire.edu. To download the complete MassEVolves Hampshire College case study, click here.

MassEVolves is a statewide initiative conducted by Recharge America in partnership with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Environmental Protection. More information about the MassEVolves program is at massevolves.org.

In Electric Vehicles, Massachusetts, MassEVolves

MassEVolves Spotlight: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is an independent nonprofit, leading the way in ocean research, exploration and education. WHOI scientists and engineers are tackling some of the most challenging and important problems of our time. 

From climate change to plastic waste, to sustainable food and energy production, WHOI understands what is at stake and how we are connected to the ocean systems. 

“That’s why we need to do whatever we can to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide we put into the atmosphere,” says Stephanie Madsen, Sustainability Coordinator for WHOI. 

WHOI has over 1,000 employees, two campuses, and 66 buildings in the small coastal town of Woods Hole, Massachusetts. In 2015, with the financial help of the Massachusetts EVIP Program, WHOI installed four electric vehicle (EV) chargers. Then with the help from Eversource’s EV Make Ready Program, we installed 4 more with the  capabilities of expanding to six additional charging stations. “We like to offer our staff innovative transportation options,” Stephanie says.  “Our philosophy has always been, ‘If we build, they will come.’” 

Since then, the number of EV drivers has doubled, and some staff commute regularly from Off Cape in EVs. For these accomplishments, WHOI was featured in Cape and Plymouth Business for their work with electric vehicles. 

To assist with further EV adoption, WHOI’s Sustainability Task Force will continue to offer EV fairs, test drive events, and informational lunch and learns in the future. In addition, the institution will begin the adoption of electric fleet vehicles and trucks, and will reinstate their Green Shuttle program.

“We are excited because researchers and staff can align with their mission to understand and protect our most critical resource, the ocean,” says Stephanie. “They can park and plug in, head into the lab to do their innovative and important work.”

Learn more about Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution at whoi.edu. To download the complete MassEVolves Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution case study, click here.

MassEVolves is a statewide initiative conducted by Recharge America in partnership with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Environmental Protection. More information about the MassEVolves program is at massevolves.org.

In Electric Vehicles, Massachusetts, MassEVolves

MassEVolves Spotlight: University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston)

University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) is passionate about electric vehicle (EV) advocacy, with an eye toward a more sustainable future. The university supports the adoption of sustainable transportation modes that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a healthier planet. 

UMass Boston announced a new project at the MassEVolves 2020 Recognition Event that combines solar and storage with EV charging: a 1,000-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system on the roof of the University’s parking garage, a 500-kilowatt lithium-ion battery system, and 11 EV charging stations. 

“We’re really interested in getting our EV chargers up and running,” says Transportation Demand Management Coordinator Daniel Scavongelli, “and then reaching out to our community members through marketing and events, such as Bike to Work Week and Transportation Awareness Days, to help guide and influence decisions regarding EV usage on campus. Additionally, we look forward to hosting MassEVolves events once campus life resumes.”

Currently, UMass Boston has a robust online outreach program through various channels including weekly emails, social media, newsletters and website interaction, and offers green transportation options to its students, faculty and staff.

UMass Boston collaborates and promotes green transit options working with the MA Leading By Example Program, Second Nature Climate Commitment as well as the UMass System Sustainability Policy and annual reporting. UMass Boston has been recognized annually as one of Princeton Review’s Green Colleges Campuses in the country since 2010.Learn more about the University of Massachusetts Boston at umb.edu. To download the complete MassEVolves University of Massachusetts Boston case study, click here.

MassEVolves is a statewide initiative conducted by Recharge America in partnership with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Environmental Protection. More information about the MassEVolves program is at massevolves.org.

In Electric Vehicles, Massachusetts, MassEVolves

MassEVolves Spotlight: Bard College at Simon’s Rock

“2020 was a big year for energy efficiency for Simon’s Rock, despite COVID challenges,” says Jason Maronde, Energy Manager for Bard College at Simon’s Rock. The College is finalizing Mass EVIP Grant funding for new electric vehicle chargers, four new Level 2 units at the Kilpatrick Athletic Center.

The education institution is currently conducting efforts to receive funding to purchase the first hybrid super duty truck in Berkshire County, a Ford F-250 that would be upfit to PHEV with technology provided by Massachusetts based XLFleet.

“Simon’s Rock is proud to be a part of MassEVolves, and proud to be a part of the future,” says Jason. “Someday electric vehicles will be everywhere. And it’s important that we now lay the groundwork for this bright future for everyone by installing electric vehicle chargers and promoting the cause wherever we go.” 

Together, MassEVolves and Simon’s Rock will produce an electric vehicle test drive event for their community when in-person events commence.Learn more about Bard College at Simon’s Rock at simons-rock.edu. To download the complete MassEVolves Bristol Community College case study, click here.

MassEVolves is a statewide initiative conducted by Recharge America in partnership with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Environmental Protection. More information about the MassEVolves program is at massevolves.org.

In Electric Vehicles, Massachusetts, MassEVolves

MassEVolves Spotlight: Bristol Community College

“Bristol is pleased to have collaborated with MassEVolves on the installation of ten new Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations on our Fall River campus,” says Joanne Bentley, Associate Vice President of Administration and Facilities at Bristol Community College. The charging stations are available free of charge to anyone in the community who has a free account with ChargePoint. 

The charging stations are the latest addition to a growing list of innovative technologies instituted by the college in its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and setting an example for other institutions to replicate. The college’s president has approved the replacement of current campus fleet vehicles with electric options.

Along with their electric vehicle charging stations, Bristol has an innovative 3.2 megawatt solar array spanning 800 parking spaces on five acres of its Fall River campus. The school’s award winning John J. Sprague Health and Science Building is the largest zero net energy classroom and science lab building in the Northeast and is LEED Platinum rated.

“Equally important is that we are educating our students in many areas of sustainability and renewable energy, including water technology, sustainable agriculture and offshore wind power technology,” says Joanne. “Bristol Community College remains committed to continuously learning and implementing new sustainable initiatives along with advancing innovative curriculums to prepare students to lead our region into a brighter more economically efficient tomorrow.”

Learn more about Bristol Community College at bristolcc.edu. To download the complete MassEVolves Bristol Community College case study, click here.

MassEVolves is a statewide initiative conducted by Recharge America in partnership with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Environmental Protection. More information about the MassEVolves program is at massevolves.org.

In Electric Vehicles, Massachusetts, MassEVolves

MassEVolves Spotlight: University of Massachusetts Amherst

University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) has long been committed to a green campus and reducing its carbon emissions. The university installed its first electric vehicle (EV) chargers on campus a decade ago as part of that mission. 

Fast forward to 2020, and UMass Amherst has 40 Level 2 charging ports and 2 Level 3 charging ports, with the potential of additional Level 3 chargers  in the campus’s newest parking garage. 

With Level 2, “you’re looking at about a two hour charge per day” per vehicle, based on the average commute of our Faculty, Staff and Students, says William Watts, Fleet Manager for the campus. “Generally four people can charge their EV per day on each charge station port.  But it takes cooperative effort from everyone involved.”

Currently, we estimate that there are about 150 Electric Vehicles (EV’s) on campus between faculty, staff, students and campus vehicles. “That’s a conservative number,” he says. “These are also Public Access stations, so we also serve people in the community, and we have a lot of Umass alumni who have electric vehicles driving through the area and will stop off and top off their vehicles. We can see that from the zip codes information provided by where their ChargePoint card is registered.”

UMass Amherst hosts two EV seminars a year for its faculty, staff and students.  As part of that initiative, we held a successful Ride & Drive Event in 2019, with close to 250 participants and 60 cars. The school is hoping to resume these events in the future when it is safe to do so. 

MassEVolves has been “very helpful” over the years. “They help UMass Amherst host successful Ride & Drive events by organizing all the dealers, providing liability coverage, and helping publicize the event, thereby getting more people to the event,” MassEVolves further supports UMass Amherst’s Green Initiative by providing another ear and voice to the legislature. 

“The timely information and communication from MassEVolves has helped UMass Amherst move forward and provide EV infrastructure and Information to everyone on campus.  There is a large amount of information and programs available, but having an organization such as MassEVolves partner with us to make sure we are aware of all opportunities available for our campus is a great help.   

UMass Amherst is very enthusiastic about EV vehicles, and many faculty, staff and students are enthusiastic EV drivers. UMass Amherst continues to expand its EV Campus Fleet when it is appropriate.  EV vehicles provide “All the power you could ever expect. Nobody ever expects that it’s 100 percent torque at zero or 50 miles an hour in an electric car”. “They really are a lot of fun to drive, and that is a huge driving force behind UMass Amherst’s Ride and Drive Events, if you test drive one, you will want one.”

Learn more about the University of Massachusetts Amherst at: www.umass.edu. To download the complete MassEVolves UMass Dartmouth PDF case study, click here.

MassEVolves is a statewide initiative conducted by Recharge America in partnership with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Environmental Protection. More information about the MassEVolves program is at massevolves.org.

In Electric Vehicles, Massachusetts, MassEVolves

MassEVolves Spotlight: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMass Dartmouth) has undertaken several initiatives to increase education and awareness of electric vehicles (EVs) within the campus community, and is also investing in EV infrastructure and operations. The objective, says Jamie Jacquart, Assistant Director for Campus Sustainability, is “to see that electric vehicles are something that are becoming mainstream and normalized and part of everybody’s experiences.”

UMass Dartmouth’s main campus has two dual port EV charging stations. The university has been working with Eversource and the State Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to finance and install additional EV charging stations on campus.

Last year, UMass Dartmouth held the campus’s first EV test drive event to provide students with the opportunity to look at and test out some electric vehicles, including electric bicycles. For many students, it was their first EV driving experience. The school also provided information about the wide range of EVs available on the market. Many students saw the price as not being a financial barrier.
For them, “EVs were not as expensive as they had thought initially,” Jamie says.

UMass Dartmouth’s main campus hosts two dual port EV charging stations and is working with Eversource and the State Department of Environmental Protection to finance and install additional electric vehicle charging stations on campus. The school plans to add an additional ten dual port chargers to help service the 18 EVs that are being driven to campus on a regular basis.

UMass Dartmouth recently purchased its first electric plugin vehicle, a Prius Prime for parking enforcement staff, with a pledge to add at least one more in 2021. “They are thrilled and excited to be able to drive and spend most of their day on electricity, rather than having to constantly be using gasoline to do that,” says Jamie.

To learn more about UMass Dartmouth, visit umassd.edu. To download the complete MassEVolves UMass Dartmouth PDF case study, click here.

MassEVolves is a statewide initiative conducted by Recharge America in partnership with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Environmental Protection. More information about the MassEVolves program is at massevolves.org.