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More and more people are driving electric vehicles (EVs). The most logical and least expensive places to plug in EVs for charging are at home or at work because that’s where vehicles sit for hours at a time. Some forward-thinking employers in the Upper Valley have installed EV chargers for their employees, which gives their business or non-profit organization a competitive edge in recruiting and retaining workers, addressing sustainability goals, and polishing their reputations.
The number of EVs in Lebanon increased by 127% between 2020 and 2022, according to DMV data. Statewide, the number of EVs is predicted to increase by 1,790% between 2022 and 2032, according to the organization that manages New England’s electrical grid, the Independent Systems Operation (ISO) New England. In all of New England, EVs will increase by 4,295% over the next decade. (ISO NE estimates obtained from Clean Energy New Hampshire.)
Some innovative employers recognize that workers want to drive EVs. For example, Hypertherm initially installed seven EV chargers for employees at four of the company’s Upper Valley buildings and is considering adding more. Dartmouth Health provides at least 22 EV charging ports for employees and visitors and is considering adding many more. Mascoma Bank provides an EV charger for employees at its Operations Center in White River Junction and offers employees a very low-interest rate on loans to purchase EVs.
The EV Subcommittee would like to recognize employers who offer EV charging or other clean-transportation incentives to their employees. Please contact the Lebanon Energy Advisory Committee through the Boards and Committees Contact Form so that your initiative can be publicized.
You do not need to figure out EV charging on your own. The U.S. Department of Energy launched the new EMPOWER (Equitable Mobility Powering Opportunities for Workplace Electrification Readiness) program to walk employers through the process of adding EV charging. This program is run locally by the Clean Cities Coalitions of each state. EMPOWER can help you access the right people at utilities, EV charging vendors, financial incentives and rebates, and more.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center offers information and resources on workplace charging for EVs.
The national nonprofit organization Plug In America highlights how EV charging is good for both employers and employees.
