Clean Transportation
Clean transportation utilizes technology to replace or reduce the direct use of fossil fuels, which generate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Clean transportation includes plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV), battery electric (BEV), hydrogen fuel cell, ethanol, biodiesel, natural gas, and propane-powered vehicles.
The adoption of clean transportation vehicles and infrastructure has the potential to address Massachusetts’ energy and pollution challenges. Massachusetts’ thriving innovation sector can also foster the development of cutting-edge clean transportation technologies and the growth of clean transportation companies.
MassCEC’s Role in Clean Transportation
MassCEC has awarded over $6.9 million to clean transportation projects through a targeted bundle of programs. With this funding, our aim is to animate new markets, accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies, and cultivate the cleantech workforce.
Accelerating Clean Transportation Programs
Transportation is a focus area for Massachusetts’ climate goals. In 2017, transportation contributed 42% of greenhouse gas emissions in the Commonwealth. As this sector is entering a stage of major innovation and technology transformation, Massachusetts can encourage the most efficient, clean, and equitable paths forward. MassCEC's Accelerating Clean Transportation (ACT) Programs align with Massachusetts' decarbonization goals.
ACTNow
MassCEC’s Accelerating Clean Transportation Now (ACTNow) Program awarded $1.4 million to a broad range of clean transportation projects with an overarching focus on business and finance models that can be replicated and scaled up. Projects funded under ACTNow included dealership education, electric school buses, last-mile shuttle service, carpool, and income-tiered carsharing models.
ACT4All
The second round of ACT Projects, Accelerating Clean Transportation for All (ACT4All), aims to pilot equity-focused projects that increase access to clean transportation technologies and decrease health impacts and related burdens from the existing transportation system. Award details for the program were recently announced through a press release.
ACT School Bus
MassCEC recognizes school bus electrification as an important challenge for market development in the clean transportation sector. As such, through Accelerating Clean Transportation School Bus (ACT School Bus), MassCEC intends to build on the work done under ACTNow and deploy electric school buses across major fleet operation models in Massachusetts, provide fleet electrification planning support services to school districts, and prepare schools for future funding opportunities.
Learn more about ACT School Bus
Metropolitan Area Planning Council School Bus Registration Data Analysis
Fleet Advisory Services Program
Medium- and heavy-duty fleets produce more than a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions from on-road vehicles, with a majority (71%) powered by diesel, making fleet electrification an essential step in reaching Massachusetts’ climate, transportation, and equity goals. To address this, MassCEC created the Fleet Advisory Services Program, which pairs fleet managers with a technical consultant to help aid in the electrification of their vehicles. This Program aims to further the utilization of the Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (“MOR-EV”) Truck electrification incentive funds from the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA).
MassCEC has partnered with the nonprofit Green Energy Consumers Alliance to support the expansion of their ‘Drive Green’ platform and associated outreach about electric vehicles (EVs). The Drive Green website offers a way for consumers to cross-compare EV makes and models, evaluate pricing from a variety of area dealerships, and the ability to sign up for a test drive. It also offers resources to learn about EVs, including information about charging, incentives, fuel costs, maintenance, and environmental benefits.
Destination Electric
Massachusetts proudly participates in Destination Electric, an education campaign encouraging residents of Northeast states to consider an EV for their next vehicle purchase.
Learn more about EVs
Explore vehicles and the charging network
- Drive Change. Drive Electric. website: This partnership between auto makers and Northeast states educates consumers about electric vehicles. Follow on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
- Department of Energy Map of EV charging stations: Find EV charging statiions throughout the US and Canada.
Get rebates and incentives
EV rebates and incentives depend on the vehicle you're purchasing and where you live. The following three resources provide comprehensive (and sometimes overlapping) information on rebates, incentives, EV technology, and vehicle options.
- Plug Star - rebates and incentives
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - rebates and incentives
- Drive Green / Green Energy Consumers Alliance - Educational resources, rebates, incentives, and recommended dealers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island
Contact
To get in touch with MassCEC about the topic of clean transportation email: cleantransportation@masscec.com with the subject, “Clean Transportation Stakeholder.” We look forward to hearing from you.
Additional Resources
Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI)
This partnership between Massachusetts and 8 other Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states aims to develop a regional program to address transportation GHG emissions.
ZEV Commission
The ZEV Commission works to support zero emission vehicle adoption in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Interim Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2030
The Massachusetts Interim Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2030 outlines the state's new clean energy goals.
Volkswagen Diesel Settlements & Environmental Mitigation
Information about the Commonwealth’s use of funds from its settlement with Volkswagen Group of America can be found here.
Commission on the Future of Transportation
The Commission issued a report in 2018 exploring anticipated changes in technology, climate, land use, and the economy to determine likely impacts on transportation between 2020 and 2040.