The City's Budget Does Not Prioritize Electric Vehicles

As part of its Capital Budget for FY 2020-2024, the city of Boston committed $300,000 to expanding the number of electric vehicle charging stations in municipal lots. The proposal will create just 18 new electric vehicle charging stations (corresponding with 36 electric vehicle charging ports) over the next five years.

The investment in electric vehicles includes an initial $100,000 investment in FY 2020 and an additional $200,000 investment over the FY 2021-2024 period. The investment is appropriated through the city's Transportation Department, which is currently slated to receive over $123 million in capital investment over the next five years. Although that sum is sixth-most among municipal agencies, the Transportation Department receives less investment than the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Boston Public Library. The Department of Environment is receiving even less investment−just over $61 million over the next five years. Every public dollar spent is a choice, and the city's current Capital Plan does not sufficiently prioritize fleet electrification to meet the Climate Action Plan goals.

The Transportation Department Budget Does Not Prioritize Electric Vehicles

The city of Boston plans to invest $123 million in the Transportation Department over the next five years. Of that planned investment, 79 percent is car-centric. And yet, investments in electric vehicles compose just 0.2 percent of overall transportation investments over the next five years.

Although many of the city's car-centric transportation investments are worthwhile measures to improve the safety of the city's roadways, there is still a striking lack of investment in electric vehicles. Of the Transportation Department's 30 capital investment projects, just one is related to electric vehicles.

The City Must Invest More In Electric Vehicles

In order to keep up with projected consumer demand, the city must install at least 1,800 additional electric vehicle charging stations by the end of the decade. This will cost approximately $21.6 million.

Currently, the city is investing in Level 2 electric vehicle chargers, which are more powerful and more durable than the Level 1 chargers used by the typical electric vehicle user. In addition to installation costs, which can range from $80,000 to $100,000 per site, the equipment for each electric vehicle charging site can cost up to $6,000. As a result, building 1,800 additional charging stations will cost the city approximately $21.6 million, or $2.16 million per year. This level of spending is 35 times higher than what the city currently invests in electric vehicles. Still, it is less than 0.01% of the city's 10-year budget.

The City Must Invest 35 Times More In Order To Meet Its Electric Vehicle Goals

Electric Vehicle Investment Is Too Low

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