Massachusetts introduces programs to tackle EV barriers
for high-mileage drivers

Two electric vehicle (EV) charging initiatives may help remove infrastructure barriers for rideshare operators, taxi drivers and fleet owners to transition to zero-emission vehicles.

Launched by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), the initiatives include the Vehicle-for-Hire (VFH) Charging Program and the Medium- and Heavy-Duty (MHD) Mobile Charging Program.

Calstart, leading the consultant teams for the programs, said the programs address critical gaps in EV charging accessibility. Calstart is a non-profit that works with member organizations to help develop clean transportation. The VFH charging program aims to address critical gaps in EV charging accessibility by expanding fast-charging sites for high-mileage rideshare and taxi drivers and deploying mobile-charging solutions for medium and heavy-duty fleets.

“Traditional charging infrastructure might not be available when or where fleets need it most, but that doesn’t have to slow them down,” Jordan Stutt, the senior director of Calstart’s Northeast region, said.

Jon Gordon, Calstart’s deputy director of light-duty vehicles, said the VFH Charging Program provides rideshare and taxi drivers in Massachusetts access to “convenient, high-speed charging hubs where they need it most,” he said. “From EV purchase rebates through the Ride Clean Mass Program to fast, reliable charging through the VFH Charging Program, MassCEC is making it easier than ever for high-mileage drivers to go electric, reduce pollution, and drive toward a cleaner transportation future.”