Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree Announces Town of Saugus Acquires Two Electric Vehicles, Charging Station through Grants, Incentives
(Saugus, MA) May 15, 2017 – Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree is pleased to announce that the Town of Saugus has acquired two brand-new electric vehicles and an electric charging station through grant funding and incentives.
The Town received $22,500 through Phase III of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Electric Vehicles Incentive Program (MassEVIP) to partially fund the vehicles and charging station, and the remainder was funded through Green Community grant funding. In total, the two electric vehicles and charging station are valued at approximately $53,382.
The funding allowed the Town to purchase one charging station and two 2016 Nissan Leaf S Hatchbacks. These five-passenger electrical vehicles have a battery range of approximately 84 miles, or 107 if driven optimally. The vehicles take four hours to charge fully on a Level-2 Charger. The Town’s ChargePoint charging station, located at the Department of Public Works at 515 Main Street, is free for residents to use under the MassEVIP grant.
The vehicles are being used by the Department of Public Works and Parking Enforcement Department, and they will help provide energy security, improve fuel economy, lower fuel costs, and reduce emissions.
“This investment in electric vehicles will help continue our progress towards greater energy conservation and cleaner energy within the community,” said Town Manager Crabtree. “I am proud that the Town of Saugus has taken these important steps towards becoming a more environmentally friendly community by deploying these clean cars and helping the State achieve its climate goals.”
By operating electric vehicles the Town will save $324 per car annually in gasoline costs, and reduce carbon monoxide by nearly 4,090.05 pounds.
“Each time a Town employee is seen driving an electrical vehicle it demonstrates the Town’s commitment to responsible energy consumption and cost-saving measures for the residents of Saugus,” said Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta.
The Electric Vehicle Incentive Program helps cities and towns across the State acquire electric vehicles and install charging stations in order to reduce municipal energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. By participating in this program, the Town of Saugus is also aiding Massachusetts in meeting its air quality and Global Warming Solutions Act goals.
The new vehicles will help support the Town’s commitment as a Green Community to reduce municipal energy consumption by 20 percent between 2015 and 2020.
Saugus is among the 155 cities and towns to earn Green Community designation through the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. All Green Communities commit to reducing municipal energy consumption by 20 percent over five years. This commitment amounts to savings of 2,153,992 MMBtu, energy use equivalent to heating and powering nearly 17,000 homes, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 203,538 tons, equivalent to taking almost 39,000 cars off the road.
For more information, contact the Planning and Development Department at 781-231-4044.
About The Town of Saugus
The Town of Saugus, Massachusetts, is a family-friendly, historic neighborhood Town located along the north shore, ten miles north of Boston. First settled in 1629, Saugus is home to historic sites, top-tier public services, and a thriving business community. Strong community support, a forward-thinking approach to town government, rich recreational opportunities, affordable choices, and easy access to all the amenities that Boston has to offer – they all contribute to make Saugus a Town where businesses flourish and families make their home.
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