City of Cambridge Participatory Budgeting

Committee: Environment

Cost: $165,000

Location: 6 public parking lots

Short Description: Dreaming of a Tesla but don’t know where to charge it? Twelve fast-charging electric vehicle ports throughout the City’s municipal lots will encourage environmentally friendly driving habits!

Long Description: There is a great need for more electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Cambridge. Car purchasing options are increasingly expanding to electric and plug-in hybrid. Most major car companies have pledged to greatly increase their EV models. China, which controls a significant portion of the market, has committed to banning gas-fueled cars. Given this trend, the City of Cambridge needs to be proactive about setting up the infrastructure to manage an inevitable increase in demand for public charging stations.

In addition to contributing to a lofty statewide goal of putting 300,000 EVs on the road by 2025 (currently there are roughly 9,000 registered EVs in MA), an increase in the use of EVs in Cambridge will help the City and its residents decrease their reliance on fossil fuels. Widespread adoption of EVs will also improve urban air quality and can save drivers money, especially when gas prices are high and if charging can be provided by the City free-of-charge through a clean renewable energy source.

Though demand for EVs is rising, many interested buyers still have range-anxiety, i.e., they fear running out of power while out and about. Visible charging infrastructure in public places is therefore key to convincing consumers to go electric. Statistics show that public charging stations in locations where drivers are likely to park for extended periods increase their willingness to purchase an EV. For example, employees are six times more likely to purchase an EV if workplace charging is available and can be used for one-third of their charging needs. Public charging stations are critical for promoting EVs among the population of drivers in Cambridge who do not have off-street parking, and therefore have nowhere at home to charge. According to the MOR-EV statewide rebate program, at least 150 Cambridge residents currently own or lease an electric vehicle and would benefit from increased access to charging.

The six Level II charging stations, each with two ports, would provide the appropriate charge level to Cambridge citizens in municipal lots, providing quick and easy charging! Initially, the charging stations would be grid connected, but the city is moving towards having its electricity purchases be supplied by 100% renewable electricity sources. The addition of six EV charging stations in the City is vital to achieving the environmental goals to which Cambridge has committed.

Locations with cost estimates:

7 Warren Street: $25,000 (East Cambridge & Inman)
40 Granite Street: $21,000 (Cambridgeport, near Trader Joe's)
73 Sherman Street: $31,000 (Danehy)
99 Sherman Street: $24,000 (Danehy)
164 New Street: $38,000 (Fresh Pond Mall/Whole Foods/Trader Joe’s)
197 Vassal Lane: $23,000 (Fresh Pond Area, near Whole Foods)

250 Fresh Pond Parkway: $36,000 (Fresh Pond Area)

Note: This proposal will fund six of the above seven locations, since the City already has funding for one location.