Governor Ned Lamont announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection with a $14.6 million grant through its Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program to expand Connecticut’s network of electric vehicle charging stations.
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The program is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Connecticut’s grant, which was applied for by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Team (CTBILT), will be used to increase access to electric vehicle chargers in seven communities with an emphasis on neighborhood revitalization, transit-oriented development, and equitable access via additional on-street charging.
They include:
• Barkhamsted – Two dual port Level 2 chargers at Barkhamsted Town Hall
• Bridgeport – 12 DCFC chargers at Brewport at 225 South Frontage Road; and 12 DCFC chargers at Boca Oyster Bar/Steelepointe on 10 East Main Street
• East Hartford – Two dual port Level 2 chargers at Silver Lane Plaza
• Groton – Two dual port Level 2 chargers at the Groton Public Library
• Hartford – 12 DCFC chargers at the Library Parking Lot on 166 Sheldon Street; 12 DCFC chargers at the MAT Garage on 55 Chapel Street; and two dual port Level 2 chargers at the Sheldon Lot on 141 Sheldon Street
• New Haven – 12 DCFC chargers at the Wilbur Cross Athletic Fields Parking Lot; and 12 200kW on-street chargers at Wooster Square
• Stamford – 12 DCFC chargers at the Bedford Street Parking Garage and 12 DCFC chargers at the Summer Street Parking Garage
These new locations will join 726 other publicly accessible charging locations across Connecticut.
Increasing the number of electric and hybrid vehicles in Connecticut will greatly reduce air pollution from the transportation sector, which accounts for more than 67% of smog-forming pollution in the state.
This pollution impacts public health, especially in overburdened and frontline communities, and contributes to Connecticut having the worst air quality east of the Mississippi.
Widespread vehicle electrification will also greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is one of the most critical mitigating actions the state can take to avoid further climate impacts.
Recognizing the need to reduce pollution from cars and trucks, the Connecticut legislature and the Lamont administration have been working together for several years to plan the transition to cleaner electric and hybrid vehicles, including by publishing the Electric Vehicle Roadmap for Connecticut.
Over the last year, there was a 19% increase in passenger electric vehicle registrations and a 30% increase in charging ports.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is investing $52 million toward a convenient, reliable fast charging network under its plan for of the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.
The federal Carbon Reduction Program also provided $79.1 million to Connecticut. Previously, DEEP awarded $6 million in funding to expand public access to charging stations in 39 Connecticut municipalities. ■