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Posted on ANNAPOLIS (June 27, 2010) -- Governor Martin O’Malley announced Thursday a $1 million boost to Maryland’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The investment will build approximately 65 electric vehicle charging stations around the State to attract and support the coming electric vehicle industry. In addition, plans are in place for Maryland workers to retrofit the state’s existing truck stop electric infrastructure, an improvement which is expected to displace approximately 400,000 gallons of diesel fuel annually by allowing trucks to use electric power instead of idling at truck stops. “Electric vehicles offer the potential to displace significant amounts of gasoline, nearly 20 percent of which is currently imported from the Persian Gulf," noted Governor O’Malley. "Investing in electric vehicle technologies will create jobs for our workers, green opportunities for our businesses, and a Smart, Green and Growing Maryland." This funding compliments the recently enacted Electric Vehicle Tax Credit bill and Electric Vehicle HOV bill, which passed into law during the last legislative session. Furthermore, as major vehicle manufactures begin to release electric vehicles for sale to general consumers throughout the course of this year, Maryland will be significantly better equipped to meet the demand for publically accessible charging stations. “Maryland is emerging as a national leader in advancing electric transportation, which promotes energy independence, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and saves consumers’ money,” remarked Maryland Energy Administration Director Malcolm Woolf. “With the average Marylander driving less than 40 miles per day, electric vehicles will offer meaningful solutions to saving money and protecting our environment.” The $1 million will be spent as follows: 1) ShorePower: $498,000 for truck stop electrification (TSE) units at Baltimore, Elkton, and Jessup, totaling 249 TSE installations; 2) Baltimore City: $134,500 for the installation of 9 to 16 electric vehicle re-charging stations in various parking garages throughout Baltimore City. Project partners include Baltimore City Department of General Services, Baltimore City Parking Authority and BGE; 3) Baltimore Electric Vehicle Initiative (BEVI): $367,500 for the installation of 55 electric vehicle re-charging stations around the state and the I95 corridor, including Harford, Cecil, Baltimore City, Baltimore, Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Charles, Frederick and Prince George’s counties. Source: Maryland Energy Administration |