The Boston Transportation Department (BTD) has released its zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) roadmap – the city’s long-term strategy to speed the adoption of electric vehicles and other zero-emission forms of transportation.
“Every resident in Boston should have convenient access to affordable environmentally friendly travel,” said Gregory Rooney, the Transportation Department’s Commissioner. “In the past several years we have implemented projects to encourage walking, biking, and riding transit. The ZEV Roadmap builds on that work.”
The ZEV Roadmap sets goals, targets, and prescribed actions for the city in three areas:
- support widespread adoption of electrification – with the targets of 23% of all new car purchases in Boston to be EVs by 2025 and every household to be within a 10-minute walk of an EV car share facility or a publicly accessible charging station by 2040;
- ensure affordable, convenient access to charging infrastructure for all residents – which will require a total of 1,055 Level 2 and 320 DC Fast chargers EV charging plugs and free-to-access public charging infrastructure available in every neighborhood by 2023; and,
- lead by example to electrify Boston’s municipal fleet – with all vehicles purchased for Central Fleet being electric or ZEVs; 100% of light-duty vehicles emissions free by 2035; 100% of medium-duty vehicles being emissions free by 2050; and, 100% of heavy-duty vehicles being emissions free or low emissions by 2060.
The plan also discusses the potential benefits of EVs to city residents, the environment, and the economy in the areas of economic development, benefits to the electricity grid, and greenhouse gas and air pollution reduction.
“In Boston, we know the urgency around climate action and we are committed to leading on a national and international scale,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “Our new public electric vehicle charging stations are a key element of reducing our emissions while making our city healthier and more accessible today and for years to come.”