GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY CELEBRATES EARTH DAY BY ANNOUNCING INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS AT BWI THURGOOD MARSHALL AIRPORT
Governor will also plant trees with children at Upper Marlboro Community Center
Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the installation of eight Electric Vehicle Charging Stations as part of Maryland Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, which will bring sixty-five charging stations to the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area by June 2011. Thanks to Maryland’s smart investments in electric vehicle infrastructure the Baltimore region now ranks as a national leader in electric vehicle (EV) readiness, positioning Maryland at the forefront of this emerging industry.
Today’s announcement comes only two weeks after the conclusion of the 2011 session of the Maryland General Assembly, during which Governor O’Malley succeeded in passing three important measures for promoting electric vehicles in Maryland. These bills will provide consumers a $400 tax credit towards installation of electric vehicle charging stations in their homes, require the Public Service Commission to establish pilot study on how best to encourage off-peak charging of electric vehicles, and to establish a statewide electric vehicle planning council. Scheduled to be signed into law in May, these bills build on the Electric Vehicle Tax Credit bill and Electric Vehicle HOV bill, both of which were passed during the 2010 Legislative Session.
“While other states are sitting idly by, Maryland continues to harness the innovation that will move us into the new economy,” said Governor O’Malley. “Thanks to our federal partners, we are making vital investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, positioning Maryland as a national leader in this emerging industry and are moving closer to our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020.”
Last June, the Maryland Energy Administration announced a $500,000 investment in electric vehicle infrastructure, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, in order to promote a cleaner, more efficient transportation system in Maryland. That investment fueled the construction of sixty-five charging stations throughout the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area, providing the necessary infrastructure to allow electric vehicle owners to travel throughout the region with confidence. Of those sixty-five charging stations, fifty-five are being developed by the Baltimore Electric Vehicle Initiative in partnership with two Maryland-based companies: SemaConnect and Autoflex. The remaining ten stations will be developed by the City of Baltimore and located in various parking garages throughout the city.
“Hybrids cut down on fuel costs and pollution,” said Senator Mikulski. “The world is facing a climate crisis, and people are nervous about rising energy costs. The American public needs relief – real solutions to what we are going to do to become energy independent. Maryland’s innovation economy will keep America rolling, and it is fueled by technology and brain power, not foreign oil. A stronger America begins at home.”
“America must end its dependence on foreign oil in order to retain our competitive advantage and ensure a promising future for our citizens,” said Congressman John Sarbanes. “Governor O’Malley’s leadership is moving us in that direction and setting the stage for development of alternative forms of energy in our own backyard.”
Just a week ago, the Ford Motor Company included the Baltimore region as one of the Top 25 EV Ready Cities in America, cementing Maryland’s position as a national leader for establishing best practices for EV preparedness. Just days later, California-based Coulomb Technologies announced t
