Electric Vehicles
At Vineyard Power Cooperative, we are committed to a 100% carbon neutral island in home heating, electricity, and transportation. Widespread change starts with individuals; when it comes to transportation, it starts with your vehicle.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are a great option for many consumers and a perfect fit for island drivers. Below are resources and guides to help you find the right EV for your lifestyle.
Resources
Makes and Models
There are dozens of different EVs to choose from- how do I know which one is best for me? The Clean Charge Network has an easy online questionnaire to help match you with personalized EV or Plug-In Hybrid options.
Plug Star is also a great resource as Plug in America’s EV shopping site. Plug Star has all types of information on EVs, including a feature that compares the recharging speeds of all EVs on the market.
Green Energy Consumers Alliance has a Green Drive Program that partners with local dealers in the Commonwealth.
Charging
Vineyard Power has worked to provide public access to EV charging stations on Martha’s Vineyard. Surely you have seen the charging stations at Cronig’s Market or at the Oak Bluffs Public Library. Like most EV drivers, you’ll probably want to install a charger in your garage or home. ChargeHub has a side-by-side comparison tool so you can select the right charger for your vehicle and home. For off-island EV use, Amazon now offers an easy-to-use installation service to connect you with local technicians (not yet available here).
Expecting a longer drive? This EV Charging Station tool will allow you to plan any trip with ease. Open Charge offers Android, iOS, and Google Web Apps for mobile users and maps more than 150,000 chargers across 75,000 locations around the world
Emissions
Curious about your environmental impact? This "EV Emissions Tool" will help you visualize your vehicle’s carbon footprint. It breaks down the per mile emissions from gasoline, hybrid, and electric vehicles- input your zip code, make, model, and year to get as accurate a result as possible.
Cost Savings
The best kept secret about electric vehicles are the shockingly low lifetime vehicle costs- on average, you can save nearly 60% of the annual costs of ownership. To get a more accurate sense of the financial benefits of making the switch away from gasoline. ChargeHub's "Savings Calculator" can help you visualize the expected annual and lifetime savings.
Electricity costs in Massachusetts can be high, but Dukes County consistently has some of the highest gas prices in the country. On island, the cost of a gallon of gas will get you nearly 75% further when in an EV. The US Dept. of Energy has an eGallon tool showing state-by-state electricity vs. gas fuel costs.
Applicable federal and state incentives vary greatly. To see what benefits you can receive by switching to an EV, visit the Department of Energy’s helpful website.
Financial Incentives: Rebates and Tax Credits
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Federal Government provide rebates and incentives to own or lease new EVs and Plug-in Hybrids. The State offers up to $2,500 and up to $1,500 in rebates for eligible EVs and Plug-in Hybrids, respectively, while the Federal Government offers tax credits up to $7,500 for all eligible EVs or Plug-in Hybrids that were purchased after 2010. For more information about these programs and to check your rebate or tax credit eligibility on your next EV purchase or lease, check out these links below: