Congrats to Steven Day, America's New Cross-Country E-Motorcycle Champ!

Congrats to Steven Day and the Charging Across America Challenge team for beating the Cannonball cross-country electric motorcycle record on Earth Day 2022!

Steven’s epic trip started on Monday, 4/18/22, at The Portofino Hotel & Marina in Redondo Beach, California. Today, he reached his destination at New York City's Red Ball Garage at 9:30 p.m. (ET), after riding 111 hours and 30 minutes across America on his 2021 Energica EVA Ribelle. He beat the previous record of 178 hours and 17 minutes by nearly 67 hours!

CBL Properties and EVgo Partner to Install Fast Chargers Nationwide

Kudos to EVgo and CBL Properties for joining forces to expand access to EV charging at retail locations nationwide!

CBL Properties’ portfolio of nearly 100 properties across 24 states includes malls, outlets, lifestyle retail centers and open-air centers. Learn more about the overarching goals of the partnership with EVgo here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220127005373/en/EVgo-and-CBL-Properties-Partner-to-Expand-Public-Fast-Charging-at-Retail-Locations-Bringing-Convenient-Charging-Amenities-to-Shoppers

National Grid and Eversource Energy Aim to Invest $470M in EV Infrastructure

Two major Massachusetts utilities are seeking to spend $470 million on programs to help the state reach its goal of electrifying its transportation system over the next decade.

The proposals from National Grid and Eversource Energy focus mainly on growing and improving EV charging infrastructure. Specific goals include installing nearly 14,000 new stations, putting electric school buses on the road, and supporting new electric car-sharing programs. Final approval is expected in mid-2022.

More details at Energy News Network here: https://bit.ly/3kLrF8m

NYC's Ambitous Plan for Massive EV Charging Network

In the continued fight against climate change, the New York City Department of Transportation aims to create one of the largest electric vehicle (EV) charging networks in the country.

The city’s new plan is titled, “Electrifying New York: An Electric Vehicle Vision Plan for New York City.” One of the goals is to achieve full carbon neutrality by 2050, which will require at least 400,000 vehicle owners to switch to EVs by 2030.

NYC must drastically expand its EV charging infrastructure over the next decade to support this effort. Tens of thousands of new charging stations will be installed citywide, including 40,000 Level 2 chargers and 6,000 direct current (DC) fast chargers.

Head to Staten Island Media Group’s article to get more info: https://bit.ly/3nQR8zd

New Coalition Lobbies for National EV Charging Network

To make a national EV charging network a reality, 24 groups have come together to accelerate shovel-ready charging infrastructure projects for cars, trucks and buses.

The National EV Charging Initiative is a diverse coalition representing automakers, workers, utilities, suppliers, investors and public interest advocates. The group has pledged to work together with the federal government to deploy the charging stations needed to improve air quality, create domestic jobs, address racial inequities and curb climate change.

Learn more at www.evcharginginitiative.com.

National Grid Deploys Innovative EV Chargers in Melrose, MA

Voltrek CEO Kathleen Connors and Senior Electrical Designer Phil Iannazzi recently attended a ribbon-cutting event for this monumental project!

Our team’s installation of utility-pole-mounted chargers for electric vehicles is the FIRST project of its kind on the East Coast. This pilot program for National Grid will no doubt serve as a national model for making Level 2 charging infrastructure more affordable to deploy, as well as improve access and equitability in communities.

Several industry partners have helped to bring this project to fruition, including EVSE, LLC and AmpUp. We appreciate having their expertise and support with this endeavor!

Here’s a news release with further details about the project: http://ow.ly/WjIX50EFtG0

Voltrek Chosen for National Grid's Innovative Pilot Program in Melrose, MA

Voltrek, as National Grid’s lead contractor for deploying electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, is thrilled to participate in an innovative pilot program in Massachusetts.

Currently, our team is installing new EV charging stations onto wooden utility poles for the City of Melrose, a state-designated Green Community that plans to host 18 EV chargers total by the end of 2021. This unique configuration for charging stations has inherent technical and logistical challenges. It is not common practice in the United States and may be the first such undertaking in the New England region.

Voltrek is leveraging its extensive electrical expertise and relationships with trusted trade partners to provide swift, streamlined solutions to fulfill project expectations. Additionally, our goal is to devise highly efficient, cost-saving installation strategies for utility-pole-mounted charging stations that can be utilized on future National Grid projects.

There are many advantages to transforming utility poles into multifunctional pieces of infrastructure, especially in densely populated urban areas with limited space for standalone charging bays. Benefits include avoiding costly and disruptive excavation activities beneath streets and sidewalks, and easing the expansion of EV charging infrastructure in communities—including areas where there are logistical hurdles to installing standalone chargers.

The City of Melrose has a progressive goal to become a carbon-neutral community by 2050, which hinges on the widespread adoption of clean transportation options, among other initiatives. Making it easier and more affordable to add new EV charging infrastructure is paramount to achieving the city’s long-term sustainability initiatives.

In celebration of Earth Week 2021, the City of Melrose is hosting a series of social and educational events to drive green initiatives. This includes an electric vehicle parade taking place on Thursday, April 22. Voltrek representatives plan to be there!

Check out the city’s full list of Earth Day 2021 events here: https://www.cityofmelrose.org/mayor/earth-week-2021

EV Charging: A Great Investment for Commercial Real Estate!

Commercial real estate developers are chomping at the bit in America’s race for charging stations!

These hubs don’t just power electric cars—they also deliver customers. While drivers wait for a charge, they’re likely to do some shopping to pass the time. KA-CHING!

Today’s soaring EV market makes it a great time to invest in charging infrastructure. Give Voltrek a call or shoot us an email to get started on your project: www.voltrek.com

Biden Administration Wants to Build 500,000 New EV Chargers

What incredible news! Industry experts anticipate a multibillion-dollar federal investment in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure over the next decade. Our team at Voltrek looks forward to supporting this continued EV boom with our expert infrastructure solutions.

Check out this Yahoo news article for more details: https://www.yahoo.com/news/president-biden-hopes-build-500-133655027.html

Westborough Golf Club Now Offering Charging for Electric Vehicles

Here’s another “hole-in-one” project for the Voltrek team! Our crew successfully installed two ChargePoint CT4021 stations at the scenic Westborough Golf Club, a premier municipal golf course in Massachusetts.

Kudos to energy provider National Grid for offering financial incentives that covered much of the infrastructure installation costs on this project. There’s no doubt that patrons will appreciate the convenience of charging their electric vehicles while enjoying a relaxing day on the green!

Voltrek Makes EV Charging Simple for Clients

Despite the pandemic, Voltrek has stayed busy deploying electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the Northeast.

Expertise is key in this niche sector, as there is no cookie-cutter approach to installing an EV charging station. Through an in-depth discovery process, our staff engages with clients to custom-design each project. We ask preliminary questions such as:

• What is the most cost-effective station placement?

• Do you have electrical capacity?

• Have you determined your usage policies?

• Are you going to charge for charging?

• What will the electric costs be?

• What other ongoing costs will you incur?

• How will you control access and manage use?

• Does your project qualify for incentives and/or grants?

Voltrek excels at making EV charging simple for clients. We’ve been at this for over a decade and know what it takes to deliver customized solutions for jobs of all scope and scale.

A Refreshing Win for Massachusetts Transportation System

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

This popular saying fits the recent decision to add more electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Massachusetts by using a portion of the 2017 Volkswagen diesel emissions court settlement. The $4 million earmarked for EV charging infrastructure includes $1.5 million for fast-charging stations, $1.5 million for public-access charging stations and $1 million for workplace and fleet charging stations.

These strategic investments are a refreshing win for our state’s transportation network, don’t you think?

Groundbreaking Initiative Focuses on Clean Mobility Investments

There’s been lots of buzz about a trailblazing initiative in our region focusing on mobility, equity and climate. Government leaders from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C. have formed the bipartisan Transportation and Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P), which was created to enhance investments in clean, equitable transportation options and create new employment opportunities.

For Massachusetts specifically, the goal is to reduce motor vehicle pollution by at least 26% and infuse the state economy with over $1.8 billion by 2032. A portion of program funding will be allocated to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, including the development of interstate EV charging corridors, which is huge!

Follow this link for further details: http://ow.ly/8HyR50DeBGH

Great Incentives Now Available for EV Charging Infrastructure

Heads up! Massachusetts has GREAT funding opportunities for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in 2021.

Property owners can utilize the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) to construct brand-new EV chargers, or even upgrade old/outdated stations. Voltrek has an excellent track record of getting clients the funding they need through MassEVIP.

Reach out to us today for more information!

A Reflection of Times Present and Past

We snapped the top picture out in the field where we are installing high-powered ABB electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Isn’t it reminiscent of the iconic image below it, taken in 1932? That well-known photo of ironworkers atop a New York skyscraper was taken after the passage of the Emergency Relief and Construction Act, which was designed to put millions back to work during the Great Depression.

To us, both photos look like rows of birds perched on a wire—but with more colorful plumage and PPE in 2020. 😉

When future generations reflect on our nation’s EV charging infrastructure boom, what images will best represent our era? Images like this? What do you think?