Rhode Island will install a network of up to 50 EV charging stations over the next three months, and will begin converting the state fleet to alternative fuel vehicles, thanks to a joint effort of the state and federal governments, charging station installer ChargePoint and electric utility National Grid.

“Supporting electric vehicle transportation in Rhode Island will provide a boost to the state economy, saving money on gas and keeping dollars that would have been spent on imported oil here in Rhode Island,” said Governor Lincoln Chafee as he cut the ribbon on the first of the public chargers. “We are developing a clean and efficient transportation infrastructure for the future, savin­­g taxpayer dollars and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants.”

“Electric vehicles help improve air quality for all Rhode Islanders by reducing tailpipe emissions,” said US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.

“This partnership to develop electric vehicle infrastructure throughout our state is a perfect example of what can happen when state, federal, and local governments work together with private companies,” said US Congressman James Langevin.

“We will require that new state vehicle purchases be electric vehicles or hybrids wherever possible,” said Director of Administration Richard Licht. “We are pleased to be able to leverage Federal ARRA State Energy Program dollars to purchase electric vehicles and hybrids and to develop the network of charging stations at convenient locations throughout Rhode Island – from coffee shops and supermarkets to state beaches and recreation areas.”

The State Office of Energy Resources awarded the $781,225 contract to site and install the charging stations to ChargePoint, which already has over 12,200 charging points installed across the US. CEO Pat Romano explained that the ChargePoint stations features include the ability to locate, reserve and navigate to unoccupied charging stations with online tools and mobile apps. “Our charging units, each of which has two charging spots, provide all the features needed to make driving an electric vehicle easy and worry free.”

Image: Nicolas Raymond
Source: State of Rhode Island via AutoBlog Green