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Boston looks to expand number of EV chargers; seeks bids from companies willing to install them at the curb
By adamg on Thu, 07/06/2023 - 3:06pm
Boston today announced plans to expand its EV charge network beyond municipal parking lots to include streetside chargers that would let even apartment dwellers consider replacing their gas-powered cars with electric models - to meet an ultimate city goal of having chargers within a ten-minute walk of every Boston resident.
Two RFPs announced today would mean even more chargers in addition to the 60 level-II charging stations the city hopes to install within 12 months at 15 sites across the city, and the 16 level-II and 8 even beefier DCFC ports the city is working with Eversource to install in municipal lots, also over the next 12 months.
Under one of the RFPs, the winning vendor would get the right to install chargers in on-street parking spaces at no charge from the city in exchange for running and maintaining the devices.
The other RFP calls for bids to sell the city curbside chargers - and then service them.
In a statement, Boston Green New Deal Director Oliver Sellers-Garcia said:
We know that to eliminate climate change and environmental pollution residents, commuters and visitors cannot rely on personal vehicles, but if they need a car it should be electric.
The need for more chargers for more EVs was highlighted in March, when a Dorchester resident won a zoning variance to install a small driveway in which to charge the electric car he wanted to buy. He needed a variance because the layout and size of his lot meant the car would have to be parked in front of his house, which city zoning codes generally prohibit. But without it, he told the board, he couldn't buy an EV because the nearest public charging station was too far away.
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Comments
Electrify the T first
Private automobiles should not be prioritized over public transit in terms of electrification.
Last time I checked
The last time I checked, the MBTA was powered by electric. The subways system does. Which is mostly in the city of Boston.
I think you mean the commuter rail, which greater Boston, not just Boston. So your argument is moot.
Remember kids
MBTA isn't just the city of Boston.
Remember kids, it's not just the trains either
Bostoneer could have been referring to the rather large fleet of buses that the MBTA uses, many (most?) of which are still diesel (although I believe they've been slowly adding more electric or hybrid buses).
Correct
They're starting to retire the pure diesel buses from 2006-2007 and replacing them with diesel-electric/hybrid buses.
Moreover....
Moreoever, buses are not any more efficient than cars in getting around this city, because they, too, sit in traffic.
Bringing back the trackless trolleys might also be a good idea.
Buses are still more efficient, actually
Sure, they sit in traffic...but dozens of people sitting in traffic in one bus is a heck of a lot more efficient than dozens of people sitting in traffic, each in their own private car.
More bus lanes and similar projects to improve bus speeds and efficiency is still great, but there are huge benefits to having people use the bus rather than drive themselves, even if that bus is sitting in traffic.
complicated
The RFP will come back with the city basically giving away parking spaces to companies which will install and maintain charging stations.
What would help more is some framework allowing abutters to install coin-op chargers at the curb and run wires across/under/through sidewalks. That solves a good chunk of the problem at lowest overall cost to the city.
Parking spaces?
I thought that we would just run plugs from lampposts.
So if I shovel out a curbside charger
do I save the space with an electric chair?
Think of the possibilities
Someone will put an old coffeemaker in the spot only to find the spot blocked by people drinking coffee when they return.
but the other thing
does snow make chargers dangerous? Will public chargers by vandalized to power homeless camps?
EV are the ultimate symbol of
EV are the ultimate symbol of consumer capitalism at its worst.
Most of us just want the roads paved and better traffic flow.
What we get is more bike lanes and car chargers while everything else crumbles.
Capitalism
(comment removed)
Actually, Bostonians voted
Actually, Bostonians voted for a pro bike Mayor. Feel free to keep yourself and car in whatever suburb you live.
So, the existing gas vehicle infrastructure is...socialism?
I'm a little confused in what world personal cars powered by electricity are "consumer capitalism", but a gas-powered car isn't? Do you think that gas stations are a naturally occurring resource?
Yep, need more EV chargers
Recently rented a Volvo Polestar EV to go to the Cape. Really enjoyed it. But charger accessibility around here was an issue. When you find a charger you have to have someone drive you to and from or you have to take public transportation. If you got a Tesla, you're lucky as they charge on fast chargers so just find a Tesla fast charger at a shopping center or restaurant to amuse yourself for 20 min or so.
When I dropped the rental off, the agency had 3 people waiting to rent gas cars that they had reserved. But there weren't none. The agency was trying to talk the customers into renting Teslas. I told the customers I had really liked the Polestar but the Teslas would be better as they charge fast and Dedham/Newton has Tesla stations. So they accepted the Teslas
Obligatory Seinfled reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T2GmGSNvaM&t=54s&ab_channel=Amir%C5%A0a...
Will this join the long list
Will this join the long list of crap for drivers that block sidewalks for pedestrians?
Not a business for the Government
I'm in favor of EVs but the city should stay out of the business of providing charging stations.
Massachusetts didn't build gas stations nor the original streetcar tracks. The public didn't build the railroads or many canals.
At most the city should rent curb space to companies who will be on their own to get permits and run power lines, much like payphones of the past.
They're pretty different pieces of infrastructure
It's kinda hard to compare electric chargers to gas stations, since for charging systems to work people need them at their house (at least until battery and/or charging tech gets a lot better).
And as for your last paragraph - isn't that more or less what they're looking to do, especially with the second RFP detailed above?
Meanwhile, Cambridge is
Meanwhile, Cambridge is discussing all kinds of restrictions on people who want to install charging stations. Like, if you have one, you would not be allowed to get a resident sticker, because you might park your car on the street and let an undesirable nonresident charge their car in your driveway.
But you’re allowed to buy gas at any gas station even if you’re not rich or lucky enough to score housing in Cambridge. So guess what everyone will do if this law passes?