Massachusetts Advances EV Adoption with New Rebate Program and “Right to Charge” Rule
By Alison Felix, AICP, Principal Planner and Emerging Technologies Specialist
January 6, 2025 – Last November, Massachusetts introduced two significant initiatives to promote electric vehicle (EV) adoption and expand EV infrastructure: a rebate program for ride-hailing (Uber, Lyft) and taxi drivers; and a statewide "right to charge" rule. These efforts aim to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and support the state's decarbonization and electrification goals.
The Mass. Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) launched a Ride Clean Mass program to support the ride-hailing and taxi industry in transitioning to electric vehicles. This program offers rebates up to $6,500, on top of other state and federal incentives, to help offset the upfront costs of electric vehicles, making adoption more accessible.
According to the Mass. Department of Public Utilities, in 2023 rideshare companies alone provided approximately 78.7 million rides that started in Massachusetts - a 29.9% increase from the 60.6 million rides that started in the state in 2022.
On November 21, 2024, Governor Maura Healy signed a landmark climate bill (St. 2024 c. 239, An Act Promoting a Clean Energy Grid, Advancing Equity and Protecting Ratepayers). The legislation facilitates the process of installing EV charging stations at multi-unit dwellings by introducing a statewide “right to charge” rule.
The “right to charge” rule outlines procedures to approve the installation of EV charging stations in shared common areas of multi-unit dwellings. Additionally, the right to charge rule prevents historic district commissions, neighborhood conservation commissions, and condominium or homeowners’ associations from banning or unreasonably restricting EV charger installations by property owners.
"The [Ride Clean Mass] program has a goal of providing $5.35 million in rebates and getting 1,000 to 2,000 new electric vehicles on the road in 2025." - MassLive
MAPC has long advocated for a right to charge rule and supported initiatives to incentivize EV adoption by the ride-hailing and taxi industries. In 2021, MAPC convened a Ride for Hire Electrification Working Group on behalf of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and released a policy brief outlining policies to promote EV use by this sector. We are excited to see both measures advance and look forward to continued progress in 2025!