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STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106 |
M. Jodi Rell Governor |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 27, 2010
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Contact: 860-524-7313
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Governor Rell: Council Begins Paving Way
For Electric Vehicles in Connecticut
Efficient electric vehicles whirring silently to the supermarket or recharging at public parking lots are not futuristic fiction, rather they are some of the long-range environmental plans that Governor M. Jodi Rell has set in motion for the state.
The Governor announced today that Connecticut has moved closer to those goals with the newly released preliminary recommendations from her Electric Vehicles Infrastructure Council that is examining ways the state can accommodate electric vehicles (EVs) through public policy, infrastructure and education. The Governor’s 2006 Energy Vision calls for 20 percent of all energy produced or sold in the state to come from alternative or renewable sources.
“We are establishing an important foundation for the future of energy, transportation and the economy in Connecticut. This will help align us with what is happening on a national level,” Governor Rell said.
“Integrating EVs onto our roads and in our garages will help break the stranglehold foreign oil has on our wallets. The jobs created to service and support the cleaner mode of transportation will help keep all the economic wheels turning in the right direction,” the Governor said.
Established in November 2009 by Executive Order No. 34, the Council has been tasked with preparing the state for a rapid and seamless integration of electric vehicles into the market. A final report is due to the Governor on September 1, 2010. The Council will consider in its final report whether to recommend a goal of 50,000 plug-in vehicles in Connecticut by 2020, which would tie in to the national goal of 1 million EVs on U.S. roads by 2015.
For the initial report recently delivered to the Governor, the Council reviewed policies and incentives across the country promoting the use of EVs. Council members said they were aware of just one local ordinance in Connecticut, pointing to New Haven’s offer of free parking on city streets for alternative energy or hybrid cars. (Report attached).
Among the recommendations in the new report, some of which may be introduced as legislation this session, are:
- Incentive programs for consumers, auto dealers and manufacturers and EV research and development (R&D)
- Allow EVs in High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes
- Clean vehicle parking incentives
- Extend sales and property tax exemptions for alternative fuel cars, which is set to expire summer 2010
- Offer grants and loans for alternative vehicle and fueling infrastructure
- Offer tax exemptions and tax credits for EV battery and infrastructure
- Continue to aggressively pursue federal grants to support EV infrastructure and research
- Lobby Congressional delegation for funding for R&D, taking advantage of the battery manufacturers and EV tech companies already in Connecticut.
Co-chaired by Department of Public Utility Commissioner Kevin DelGobbo and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Joan McDonald, the council comprises representatives from Departments of Public Utility Control, Economic and Community Development, Environmental Protection, Motor Vehicles, Administrative Services, Transportation, utilities, environmental groups and the business community.
The work of the Council will complement the state’s plan to upgrade transit buses with dozens of energy efficient diesel-electric hybrid buses and install fuel cells in maintenance garages around the state for back-up energy sources. The state has applied for $18.9 million in stimulus funds to support the initiative.
For more information and to review the report, go to: www.ct.gov/dpuc and click on link for Electric Vehicles Infrastructure Council.