Voltrek Provides Turnkey EV Charger Installation for Northeast's Largest School Bus Electrificaton Project

A lot can happen in 10 months. Last April, the Voltrek team cheered alongside other local business and community leaders as Boston Mayor Michelle Wu unveiled plans for an electric school bus pilot program designed to improve health and quality of life for the local community.

Fast forward to today, and Voltrek is on the front lines of this nation-leading electrification project. Currently, we are wrapping up the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for Boston Public Schools (BPS), which plans to deploy its first 20 electric school buses later this month. These new Blue Bird buses will serve approximately 2,500 students at 42 public schools.

“This pilot program is the largest of its kind in the Northeast, and will help us gather more data on route efficiency, bus operations as well as the climate and public health impacts with an overall goal of fully electrifying our school bus fleet by 2030,” said Mayor Wu at a press conference on Feb. 6, 2023. This is a massive undertaking for BPS, which currently runs 620 buses every day to move nearly 22,000 students over 43,000 miles, according to BPS Transportation Director Dan Rosengard.

During the first phase of the pilot program, Voltrek is contracted to manage the turnkey installation of 20 EV charging stations at the Readville bus yard in Boston’s Hyde Park neighborhood. The charging infrastructure, supplied by InCharge Energy, is engineered to support the future expansion of up to 145 electric school buses. 

The BPS electric school bus pilot program is part of Boston’s “Green New Deal” initiative to electrify city vehicle fleets. Other project partners involved in this collaborative effort include Transdev, BPS’ fleet management contractor, and Lynnwell Associates, an IBEW Local 103 electrical contractor.

Kathleen Connors Interview with CBS News Boston

Voltrek's Kathleen Connors just had a neat interview with CBS News Boston!

In her chat with Boston-area reporter Breana Pitts, Kathleen shared tips on how to maximize EV driving range in cold weather.

See the video interview and news article here: https://cbsn.ws/3TEXnmc

(NOTE: Video is embedded at the beginning of the article and should start playing automatically after a brief ad.)

Massachussets Earns National Recognition for EV Incentives

Voltrek is proud to share that its home state of Massachusetts ranks in the Top 10 list of states offering EV incentives!

At #6 on the leaderboard, Massachusetts offers a MOR-EV rebate program where qualified applicants could be eligible for up to $2,500. This rebate applies not just to personal vehicles but also to commercial and nonprofit fleets, as well as companies that provide vehicles to employees instead of paying mileage.

Curious to know where your state stands? Visit Plug In America to see the entire Top 10 list: https://bit.ly/3noKdNE

Also, you can enter your ZIP code on PlugStar’s webpage to see possible EV incentives across America: https://bit.ly/3ae4PRs

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

A Nice Day for a Quick Charge!

Just stopping by for a fast charge in Chicopee, MA, in between client appointments. Now Voltrek's project director, Sean Leach, is ready to zoom off to a site visit!

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 Gears Up to Install 9 New EV Chargers in Rockport, MA

It's official! Voltrek will soon be installing 9 electric vehicle (EV) chargers for the town of Rockport, Massachusetts. These new ChargePoint stations will be strategically located at four locations: Town Hall, the Town Hall Annex, Back Beach and the Transfer Station parking lots.

Congrats to Rockport's Green Community Task Force and National Grid for spearheading a project that could benefit both residents and the local tourism industry!

To learn more, check out this article in Gloucester Daily Times: http://ow.ly/g6bi50DBPMU

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?

Stephanie Pollack Joins FHWA

Congratulations to Stephanie Pollack on her new position at the Federal Highway Administration! Her many years of great work as the Secretary of Transportation in Massachusetts will serve her well as she helps the new presidential administration upgrade infrastructure systems nationwide.

Follow this link for more details from The Boston Globe: http://ow.ly/glGN50DCjKA

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

Limited Funding Available for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Projects in Massachusetts

Attention employers and fleet operators in Massachusetts! State funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure was expanded in 2021. Enhancements to the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) include the following:

• Fleet operators can apply for funding to build out Level 1 and Level 2 charging infrastructure—both private and publicly accessible.

• Multi units only need 5 units to qualify now (it was 10 in the past).

• Education customers can also apply for funding.

• The generic non-workplace “public” program is back online. Entities that are willing to have chargers publicly accessible for at least 12 hours per day can apply for funding.

MassEVIP opportunities are available to everyone interested in commercial EV charging solutions—including businesses, municipalities, state agencies and public colleges/universities. Voltrek has extensive experience in helping clients apply for this funding, which will go quick! To learn more about MassEVIP funding opportunities, contact us at www.voltrek.com.

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!

Massachusetts Leads the Way in Addressing Climate Crisis

Massachusetts is once again setting a nation-leading example in climate action.

By 2035, all new vehicles sold in the Commonwealth must be electric. Along with advancing the state’s ultimate goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, this initiative will benefit communities by improving air quality and unlocking new opportunities for job creation and economic growth.

To learn more, read the state's full press release here: http://ow.ly/d3ow50D3epW

MassEVIP Now Offers Funding for Direct Current Fast Charging

Did you hear? DC (direct current) fast charging is now covered through the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP)!

These stations will be vital to all EV drivers, including those traveling through main corridors and high-traffic areas, and for charging fleet vehicles operated by municipalities, utilities, businesses and others.

The deadline to apply for this new funding is March 19, 2021, so contact us ASAP to get started on your application.

Voltrek Supports Sustainability Initiatives in Barnstable County

Voltrek is grateful for opportunities to help communities meet their sustainability goals through clean transportation solutions. Just last week, five new dual-port EV charging stations in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, turned operational. This latest Voltrek project, part of Eversource Energy's make-ready EV infrastructure program, was made possible thanks to Boston-based Maverick Corporation, a fantastic project partner that performed the preconstruction and bolt-down work, and ChargePoint, which supplied the Level 2 charging station equipment.

Click here to view a Barnstable County press release with more project details.

Voltrek CEO Kathleen Connors Presents at Annual Energy Conference

Voltrek CEO Kathleen Connors is excited to be one of the industry experts chosen to present at this week’s 6th Annual Energy Conference!

The annual event, hosted by Boston’s Northeastern University, is taking place 9/24 – 9/25 and will be entirely virtual. Kathleen is on a select four-person panel that will share insights on “Electric Vehicles: Future of Carbon Neutral Transportation.”

If you’re registered to attend the 6th Annual Energy Conference, be sure to mark your calendar for this 1-hour webinar panel discussion. It’s scheduled to start at 1:20 p.m. (ET) on Friday, 9/25. (Yes, that’s tomorrow!)

Here’s the website where you can log in to join the discussion: https://www.nuess.us/

Salem State University Adds Six New ChargePoint Stations

Just in time for the fall semester, Salem State University in Massachusetts has added six new dual-port electric vehicle (EV) charging stations!

Conveniently located right in front of the O'Keefe Center, the new ChargePoint stations serve 12 parking spots. This latest EV charger installation by Voltrek has almost tripled the on-campus EV charging capacity, with a total of 19 parking spots now available to university students, faculty and staff.

In addition to overseeing design and installation of the new charging stations, Voltrek assisted Salem State University with securing project funding from National Grid and the Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection. As a result, the university paid less than 3% of the project costs—savings which get passed along to students! Voltrek, one of the nation’s trailblazers in EV charging solutions, is also National Grid's lead contractor for EV infrastructure projects.

New ChargePoint Installation at Historic Nevins Memorial Library

The Voltrek team just completed a brand-new electric vehicle (EV) charging station project in its hometown of Methuen, MA—the first municipal-owned EV charging station in the city’s history.

Located at the historic Nevins Memorial Library, the dual-station installation is part of the ChargePoint network, one of the world’s largest and most advanced EV charging networks. Voltrek managed all planning, design and installation for the project, which was funded in part by the EV Charging Infrastructure Program sponsored by National Grid (a major utility for which Voltrek serves as the lead EV infrastructure contractor).

Voltrek’s founder and CEO, Kathleen Connors, says she is grateful for the opportunity to partner on a project that will be transformational for her local community. This milestone aligns with the city of Methuen’s commitment to build infrastructure that supports a sustainable economic future and ensures the area continues to thrive.

A news release with more project details can be viewed at https://bit.ly/2ZkHdoy.