April 10, 2025 - BOSTON - With adoption of electric vehicles among underserved populations in Massachusetts falling behind in the Massachusetts auto market and lingering concerns around access to electric vehicle (EV) charging, there is a need to explore lower cost, non-grid charging solutions across communities. With a $1 million Accelerating Clean Transportation for All, Round 2 (ACT4All 2) grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) will work with Framingham, Natick, and Quincy and the Housing Authorities of Boston, Chelsea, and Somerville to pilot innovative EV charging systems that are not connected to local power grids, in conjunction with EV carsharing expansion.

Municipally owned parking areas and public housing authorities offer promising opportunities to site EV charging in closer proximity to populations currently underserved by existing EV charging infrastructure. However, housing authorities and municipalities have reported significant challenges with installing permanent Level 2 chargers, including: extensive delays in participating in utility make-ready programs; high costs for grid-connected infrastructure; complexity of ownership and rate setting; and uncertainty around siting and utilization.

This pilot will utilize non-grid tied charging solutions such as solar-powered charging, battery operated charging, and charging-as-a-service with EV carsharing, allowing for rapid deployment across the municipalities and housing authorities as they plan for and scale permanent, grid-tied EV charging in the long run.

“EV car sharing presents a substantial opportunity for residents who have not yet been able to fully adopt EV technologies due to their higher costs and lack of access to charging equipment,” said MAPC Principal Planner & Emerging Technologies Specialist Alison Felix, AICP. “It offers an expedited and low-cost entry to EVs and reduces the need for single car ownership, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions.”

The EV carshare vehicles will be available to rent at a discounted rate to eligible users. The project team will partner with local tenant associations and community-based organizations to robustly engage with and educate potential users about the project and the availability of shared EVs. Beyond offering discounted rentals, the EV carshare partners will also support outreach, education, and data collection efforts for the pilot. Municipalities and housing authorities will own, lease, or contract the charging solutions, and the EV carshare partners will own and operate the vehicles.

"EV charging matters in every community - from suburban neighborhoods to city centers to rural farms," said Jillian Wilson Martin, Sustainability Director for the Town of Natick. "You can't charge without power, but the best locations for charging don't always align with existing grid infrastructure. As Massachusetts works to expand housing and advance climate goals, the flexibility, resiliency and scalability of off-grid charging will become increasingly important. Natick is eager to participate in this pilot and to support solutions that can be replicated across the Commonwealth."

"Expanding EV charging access in public housing communities is a crucial step toward ensuring every Boston resident can benefit from clean transportation solutions," said Boston Housing Authority Administrator Kenzie Bok. "This pilot program will help us bring innovative charging and mobility options to our communities, while complementing BHA’s efforts to improve building efficiency and expand renewable energy.”

The ACT4All 2 grant will also empower project partners to develop plans and best practices for procuring and deploying permanent charging infrastructure at the sites with highest utilization, as well as plans to redeploy non-grid tied charging solutions to other sites and share learnings with other municipalities and housing authorities.