Electric Nantucket: The Popular MA Vacation Destination Could Have 5 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations by Next Summer

The historic island of Nantucket is setting its sights on the future.

A joint plan from the Nantucket Planning & Economic Development Commission and private enterprises, like Cape Air and ReMain Nantucket, proposes the installation of five electric vehicle charging stations. The installation project would likely be completed in time for next summer’s tourist season.

The town of Nantucket is considering installing the stations at the Greenhound Building and the airport. As the director of the Nantucket Planning Department, Andrew Vorce, recently commented, Cape Air is looking to introduce electric cars as a part of their rental fleet, making the airport an ideal spot for charging stations.

Michelle Whelan, a Nantucket resident and the executive director of Sustainable Nantucket, told New England Post that installing the electric vehicle charging stations is a very “forward-thinking” idea.

“We’re going to need the charging stations as we move towards hybrid and electric vehicles,” she said. “I can only applaud the Planning Department.”

Whelan also pointed out that Nantucket’s narrow streets are prone to vehicle congestion, which contributes significantly to pollution. By encouraging the use of electric cars, Nantucket will suffer less from particulate emissions. “The more electrics, the better,” she said.

National Grid representatives recently met with the Nantucket Planning Department to view the proposed installation sites and to discuss visibility and costs. The only real hurdle left for the project is getting approval from Nantucket’s Historic District Commission.

“The Historic District Commission will have its eye on how things appear,” Whelan told New England Post. “But we have modern conveniences, we have wind turbines, the Commission will find a way to make the project happen.”

If all goes according to plan, Nantucket will receive the five electric vehicle charging stations for free through a Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources program. Nantucket will also receive $1,000 per station to use toward installation costs. The Department of Energy Resources program is sponsoring the installation of 105 charging stations in 25 communities across the Bay State.

Related posts:

1. Westport, CT to Get Electric Car Charging Station
2. Carbon Day Brings Electric Vehicles to Copley Plaza
3. Largest Vacation Home Rental Franchise In U.S. Expands Into Cape Cod
4. The Cape Wind-National Grid Contract: A Renewable Energy Windfall or a Money-Sucking Misstep?
5. “The Nantucket Project” Ideas Conference Debuts This Fall; Check Out Who Will Be Presenting

Short URL: http://www.newenglandpost.com/?p=5873

Posted by erik devaney on Oct 17 2011. Filed under Featured - For home page featured article, Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry