The state is giving a $1 million jump-start to the fledgling electric-vehicle industry. The Maryland Energy Administration announced plans today (6/24) to build 65 charging stations in Baltimore and the rest of the state to support a hoped-for influx of battery powered cars and trucks in the near future.
(Update: Read the full story here.)
Using federal economic stimulus funds, the MEA awarded three grants to install charging stations at parking garages in Baltimore and at other sites around the state, particularly along Interstate 95. Funds also will go to wiring truck stops in Baltimore, Elkton and Jessup so truckers won't have to idle their vehicles as much.
With GM's Volt, Nissan's Leaf and other electric vehicles expected on the market in coming months, state officials say today's grants are meant to begin developing the network of charging stations that will be needed to support the new technology.
"With the average Marylander driving less than 40 miles per day, electric vehicles will offer meaningful solutions to saving money and protecting our environment," state energy administrator Malcolm Woolf said in a press release announcing the grants. (In good political protocol, especially for an election year, the release from MEA credited Woolf's boss, Gov. Martin O'Malley with making the announcement.)
The grants are part of a boost the state is trying to give to the EV industry. The General Assembly this year approved a tax credit for buying a battery-powered car or truck, and authorized them to use express commuter lanes otherwise reserved for high-occupancy vehicles.
About half of the $1 million will go to Shore Power to install "truck-stop electrification stations," essentially wiring travel plazas so truckers can run their air-conditioning, watch TV or browse the Internet while stopped without having to idle their diesel engines.