Summary
– Efforts to transition to electric vehicles in Connecticut are facing obstacles
– A bill in 2024 to study the transition to electric vehicles did not pass
– The Department of Transportation is surveying motorists about electric vehicles and infrastructure
– Federal funding of over $50 million is allocated to build a network of charging stations in Connecticut
– Despite a recent dip in EV sales, DOT remains optimistic about the future of EVs and is prepared for the revolution.
Article
Despite the belief that electric vehicles are the future, the current efforts in Connecticut to transition to electric vehicles have faced significant obstacles. The Lamont administration’s plan to phase out gas-powered vehicles in the state by 2035 has been put on hold due to opposition from both the right and the left. Additionally, a bill in the 2024 legislative session that aimed to create a committee to study the transition to electric vehicles did not come up for a vote.
To gauge the public’s opinion on electric vehicles and the state’s electric vehicle infrastructure, the Department of Transportation in Connecticut is conducting a survey of state motorists. The survey aims to gather information on whether individuals drive electric vehicles, their concerns about charging stations, and the accessibility of charging stations on longer trips. The DOT has received over a thousand responses so far and is utilizing social media to promote the survey.
Many motorists continue to have concerns about finding charging stations, leading to what is known as “range anxiety.” To address this issue, the federal bipartisan infrastructure law has allocated over $50 million for Connecticut to build a network of electric vehicle charging stations. With more than 40,000 electric vehicles registered in the state but only about 500 DC Fast chargers available, the need for expanding charging stations is evident.
The plan is to start utilizing the federal funding immediately to build charging stations along important corridors such as Interstates 95, 91, and 84 in Connecticut. The goal is to have a minimum of four chargers at each site to ensure accessibility for electric vehicle owners. Additionally, there is an uptime requirement for the vendors operating the charging stations to ensure that the chargers remain available and operational for the public.
Despite a decrease in EV sales in the first quarter of 2024 and some car manufacturers scaling back their EV production plans, the DOT remains committed to preparing for the electric vehicle revolution. They see the survey as a crucial part of their preparation, as it will provide valuable data to inform their plans for updating infrastructure and submitting proposals to the Federal Highway Administration in August. Overall, Connecticut is continuing to invest in and expand its electric vehicle infrastructure to support the growing number of electric vehicles in the state.
Read the full article here
