FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2019
Connecticut Electric Vehicle Coalition and EV Club of CT pen letter to Governor Lamont, ask for expanded EV policies
NEW HAVEN, CONN. – The Connecticut Electric Vehicle Coalition and EV Club of CT are asking Governor Ned Lamont to support electric vehicle policies that will stimulate Connecticut’s growing green economy and provide environmental and health benefits.
“We are thrilled that Connecticut finally has an EV owner as Governor, and we are eager to support you in fulfilling your campaign pledge ‘to do everything we can to encourage electric car ownership in the state,’” the organizations wrote in a joint letter. “Our organizations and our members agree with you that a green economy is a strong economy, and are excited that you recognize the significant environmental and economic benefits of EVs, as well as the necessity of widespread EV adoption.
Specific policies advocated include:
- Leading by example by electrifying Connecticut’s state-owned vehicle fleet, including transit buses;
- Improving equity by increasing availability of EVs and bolstering stakeholder confidence through a fully funded and expanded electric vehicle rebate program;
- Facilitating buildout of charging infrastructure by revising building codes to more fully support electric vehicle charging;
- Increasing access to charging infrastructure by identifying funding sources to support deployment of a statewide network of publicly accessible EV chargers that are carefully sited to maximize access and exposure;
- Adopting a regional policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation that generates funding to invest in and accelerate clean transportation for all;
- Allowing direct sale of EVs, which will bring new revenues, job creation and economic activity to Connecticut while making it easier for Connecticut consumers to choose electric.
In addition, the EV Coalition and EV Club are hosting an educational forum for legislators on the benefits of these policies on January 30, 12-1:30 p.m. in room 310 (Old Approps) at the Capitol building. Press is welcome.
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The Connecticut Electric Vehicle Coalition is a group of clean energy advocates and businesses, community justice organizations, labor unions, and businesses that work together to advance policies that will build out electric vehicle infrastructure and put more electric vehicles on the road in an effort to achieve significant economic, health, and climate benefits for Connecticut.
The EV Club represents over 6,000 residents of Connecticut who are currently owners of battery and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The Club’s mission is to work with stakeholders and policy makers to accelerate EV adoption to meet the State’s goal of having 150,000 EVs on the road by 2025.
Connecticut Electric Vehicle Coalition Members
- Acadia Center*
- Connecticut Fund for the Environment*
- Connecticut Nurses Association
- Connecticut Roundtable on Climate & Jobs*
- Connecticut Citizen Action Group
- ConnPIRG
- Conservation Law Foundation
- ChargePoint*
- Chispa-CT*
- Clean Water Action*
- CT League of Conservation Voters
- CT 350
- Drive Electric Cars New England
- Eastern CT Green Action
- Electric Vehicle Club of Connecticut*
- Energy Solutions, LLC
- Environment Connecticut*
- Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition, Inc.
- Hamden Land Conservation Trust
- Hartford Climate Stewardship Council
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers*
- Interreligious Eco-Justice Network
- New Haven Climate Movement
- Northeast Clean Energy Council
- People’s Action for Clean Energy
- Proton OnSite
- Plug In America*
- RENEW Northeast
- Sierra Club*
- Solar Connecticut, Inc.
- Tesla, Inc.
- Union of Concerned Scientists
* Connecticut EV Coalition Steering Committee Membership