LBE Priorities and Efforts: Clean Transportation

Why Go Green?

10% Of state government GHG emissions come from transportation

The transportation sector represents a critical piece in driving down state government Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and supporting broader statewide efforts to rapidly green a sector that contributes over 40 percent of total GHG emissions in Massachusetts.

While vehicles comprise only 10 percent of total state government emissions, progress in this sector is necessary to reduce overall portfolio emissions both in the near- and long-term.

Electric vehicles (EVs), including plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV), battery-electric (BEV), and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV), are set to play a key role in reducing transportation emissions. These high-efficiency EVs provide a host of benefits to both users and the direct environment, and, as regional power grids integrate more renewable energy, the electricity that powers them gets cleaner and greener. 

Working with the Green Fleet Committee and various other partners, LBE encourages agencies to begin the acquisition of EVs through education, analysis, and expanding awareness of the benefits associated with fleet electrification. 

For detailed information on EV fuel costs, maintenance, and emissions, see the additional resources provided below. 

Additional Resources

Consumer Reports Study: EV Ownership Costs

UCS Fact Sheet: Regional Grid Impacts on EV Emissions

 

Green Fleet Committee

Established by the 2008 Green Communities Act, the Green Fleet Committee (GFC) is comprised of representatives from the Operational Services Division, the Office of Vehicle Management, the Department of Energy Resources, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Executive Branch fleet. 

Responsible for helping to identify and facilitate clean transportation solutions for the Executive Branch fleet, the GFC works with fleet managers to identify more efficient and alternative fuel options at the point of acquisition, educates agency partners on new and upcoming clean transportation technologies, and provides technical support and guidance. The GFC also oversees compliance with the Fuel Efficiency Standard for State Fleet (FES), which requires state agencies to purchase both more fuel efficient and alternative fuel vehicles. The GFC is updating the FES to better reflect the available technology market and to help operationalize the zero-emission goals and requirements set forth in EO 594.

Clean Transportation Progress

LBE and its state partners are working to reduce vehicle fuel consumption in the state-owned fleet by replacing inefficient and conventionally-fueled vehicles with highly efficient hybrid, alternative fuel, and electric vehicles, as well as supporting the electrification of the state fleet by installing electric vehicle charging stations.

The Commonwealth fleet includes vehicles operated by roughly 80 state government entities, including state agencies, higher ed campuses, and authorities. These vehicles support a diverse set of use cases across state government operations, including hospitals and critical care facilities, correctional institutions, state parks, transportation services, and emergency response. 

555 Alternative fuel vehicles in the state fleet as of May 2022

As of May 2022, there are more than 550 alternative fuel vehicles in the state fleet (9% of total), including:

• 112 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) 

• 47 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)

• 396 hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)

• 52 hybrid electric vehicle upfits

State government partners have also made considerable progress to build out electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support the transition to a clean transportation future. As of May 2022, there are 300 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations with 519 ports/plugs across 31 state agencies, authorities, and public higher education campuses.

 

Purchasing EVs and EV Charging Equipment

Looking to go electric but don't know where to start?

Various Statewide Contracts exist to support the procurement of vehicle-related goods and services and include options that can facilitate greening of the state-owned fleet. As the state fleet begins to electrify and decarbonize in support of LBE and broader statewide goals, these contracts can provide an accessible, one-stop-shop for clean transportation technologies.

VEH110: Light and Medium-Duty Vehicles 

This contract allows entities to purchase a wide variety of vehicles. Categories 1, 2, and 3 (sedans, minivans, and SUVs) consist exclusively of battery-electric, plug-in battery hybrid, and fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles. Executive Branch agencies who acquire vehicles through the Office of Vehicle Management also have the option to lease vehicles on this contract through the OVM Lease Program. 

Interested to know which EVs are available on VEH110? See here for a list of current offerings: Greening your Fleet with Statewide Contracts

VEH102: Advanced Vehicle Technology Equipment, Supplies and Services 

This contract is for the acquisition of advanced vehicle and alternative transportation equipment, hardware, software, and services including, but not limited to: EV charging station equipment & services, idle reduction equipment, and after-market conversion technologies. 

Interested to learn more about technologies and services on VEH102? Check out the VEH102 Technologies to Green Your Fleet two-pager. 

Massachusetts EV Challenge

Participate in the EV Challenge and earn recognition for your clean transportation efforts!

Recharge Massachusetts supports and publicly recognizes organizations who take specific steps to encourage greater electric vehicle adoption in support of emissions reduction goals. Program participants pledge to take initiative in decarbonizing transportation by engaging in activities such as developing action plans, converting fleet assets to EVs, and installing EV charging stations. This voluntary challenge spotlights electric vehicle (EV) acquisitions, offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate leadership, and helps state entities gain additional recognition for their on-the-ground efforts to reduce environmental impacts.

See previous program participants and learn how to participate at www.recharge-massachusetts.org

Resources

Electric Vehicle Funding:

• MassEVIP Fleets ⇒ administered by MassDEP, this grant program supports Massachusetts cities, towns, state agencies, and public colleges and universities in acquiring EVs for their fleets.

• MOR-EV Trucks Program ⇒ administered by DOER, this rebate program aims to provide air pollution emission reductions by supporting the acquisition of medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks, vans, and buses.

Electric Vehicle Charging Funding:

• MassEVIP Charging Incentives ⇒ administered by MassDEP, these grant programs support the acquisition of EV charging stations to meet various needs and facility use cases. 

• Eversource's EV Charging Station Program ⇒ administered by Eversource to conduct and cover the costs of infrastructure work needed for EV charging equipment installation. 
• National Grid Electric Vehicle Charging Station Program ⇒  administered by National Grid to conduct and cover the costs of infrastructure work and associated EV charging equipment.

EVs on the Market

• Greening your Fleet with Statewide Contracts ⇒ This document provides a list and basic information on all battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid electric vehicles available on Massachusetts statewide contracts.
• Upcoming EV Models ⇒ This slide deck provides high-level information for a broad range of lighter-duty, upcoming zero-emission models. Note that not all may become available on statewide contracts.
• LBE EV Models Database ⇒ This spreadsheet provides detailed information for a broad range of available and upcoming zero-emission vehicle models across various classes and use cases. 
• U.S. DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center - Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Search ⇒ The AFDC has a searchable database for zero- and low-emission vehicles, searchable by vehicle type, manufacturer, and fuel/technology. Note that not all may be available on statewide contracts.

EV Guides & Technical Resources

• LBE Electric Vehicle TCO Comparison Calculator ⇒ This calculator is intended to provide a comparison of zero-emission vehicle models currently offered on statewide contract VEH110 against various other conventional and alternative fuel models. After putting in basic information on costs of gasoline, electricity, and years of ownership, users can select two vehicles to compare total cost of ownership.
• LBE Quick Guide: Electric Vehicles ⇒ This two-page 'quick guide' includes introductory information on electric vehicle types, incentives available for state entities, and procurement resources.
• EV Driver Quick Guide (Template) ⇒ This guide provides information to help first-time EV drivers understand the nuances of driving electric and can be customized to reflect an agency’s vehicle management policies.
• Recharge Massachusetts and Leading By Example have partnered to issue an Electric Vehicle Purchase Challenge. This voluntary challenge spotlights new electric vehicle (EV) acquisitions for fleets, offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate leadership, and helps state entities gain additional recognition for on-the-ground efforts to reduce environmental impacts.

EVSE Tools & Technical Resources

• VEH102 Technologies to Green Your Fleet ⇒ This two-pager developed by the Operational Services Division outlines services and technologies available on state contract VEH102 related to electric vehicle charging, as well as links to funding sources, contacts, and contract user guides.
• LBE Quick Guide: EV Charging ⇒ This two-page 'quick guide' includes introductory information on electric vehicle types, incentives available for state entities, and procurement resources.
• LBE Scope of Services for Fleet EV Charging ⇒ This document provides template language for partners to utilize when procuring EV charging stations, particularly those intended for fleet use. 
• Considerations to Inform EV Charging Station Decision-Making ⇒ This two-page This resource is intended to better inform the initial decision-making process for all types of electric vehicle (EV) charging station installations at state facilities, including public, workplace, and fleet.
• Guidance for Publicly Accessible EV Charging Stations at State Facilities ⇒ This guidance document is intended to inform publicly accessible electric vehicle charging station installation at facilities that are subject to the requirements of Leading by Example Executive Order 594 but may be used to inform decision making at any state entity.
• Ask the Experts 9.22.21 EVs and EVSE ⇒ These slides, presented during Climate Week, September 2021, provide an overview of current and upcoming EV models, grants and funding resources, and links to helpful guidance documents and relevant statewide contracts.

Additional Resources

• OSD EPP Program: The Operational Service Division's Environmentally Preferable Products Program contains additional information about statewide contracts and resources to support purchases of alternative fuel vehicles and related equipment.
• MassEVolves: Supports and publicly recognizes organizations who take specific steps to encourage greater electric vehicle adoption, consistent with statewide clean energy goals. 
• Drive Green: Managed by Green Energy Consumers Alliance, Drive Green is an electric vehicle discount program supports and educates consumers in transitioning to electric vehicles.