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Massachusetts needs wicked more EV chargers – The Boston Globe

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Massachusetts needs wicked more EV chargers – The Boston Globe


Each fast-charging connection, according to the report, would cost from $100,000 to $300,000 to install, bringing the total at the high end to nearly $3 billion. The costs would mostly be borne by private companies, such as utilities, car makers, and others building charging networks.

The lack of charging stations is considered one of the biggest hurdles to EV adoption, even as car manufacturers introduce lower-cost models competitive with gasoline-powered vehicles. But building enough fast-charging stations is a daunting task. It not only will require massive upfront investment, but also upgrades to the electric grid to handle increased demand for power that could range from 700 to 1,400 gigawatts — or about 5 to 10 percent of electricity consumed in Massachusetts on a hot summer day, according to the report.

Governments may also have to build or subsidize charging stations in rural and low-income urban areas to ensure access to charging networks, the report said.

“An acceleration of electric vehicle charging infrastructure is required to keep Massachusetts on path to achieving our [Clean Energy and Climate Plans] benchmarks for electric vehicle penetration,” the council said in its report. “This represents a 15-fold growth in public fast charging stations from current installed numbers and a six-fold growth in public Level 2 charging stations by 2030.”

The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Coordinating Council was created by last year’s state climate law. It includes state agencies that have a part in solving the charging challenge, from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Public Utilities, as well as the MBTA, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, and several legislators.

The fast-charger estimate, however, may be too high, according to Loren McDonald, chief executive of research firm EVAdoption. Once people buy EVs, they do most charging at home or work using slower Level 2 chargers, he said. And even on longer trips, the time required for fast charging is shrinking as improving technology refills batteries more quickly, meaning charging ports can handle more EVs.

“Once Massachusetts builds out fast chargers for the highway corridors, you’re not going to need much more” in other parts of the state, McDonald said. “Most people are going to be charging more slowly at home or at work or Whole Foods or a movie theater where their car sits while they’re doing other things.”

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Michael Judge, state undersecretary of energy and chair of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Coordinating Council, said the panel will revise the estimates as the adoption of EVs grows and electrification of the transportation system advances to commercial vehicles such as delivery vans, garbage trucks, and buses.

In an aerial view, pedestrians walked by an electric vehicle charging station last month in Corte Madera, Calif. Justin Sullivan/Getty

“Ten thousand may not be the exact right number,” Judge said. “We are going to continue to dig deeper. But under any scenario, we do need a lot more.”

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is already working on two projects to add charging stations along public highways. One that would replace six decommissioned fast chargers at rest stops on the Massachusetts Turnpike has already been put out for bid. The transportation department also is preparing to seek bids this winter for a more comprehensive program to install dozens of chargers among 17 state-owned highway rest stops using funds from the 2021 federal infrastructure law.

The state is in line to receive $55 million to $60 million over five years under the law.

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Some states have moved more quickly to spend the federal funds. Hawaii, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Maine have already selected bidders to build charging stations along major highway corridors, and Pennsylvania, Utah, and Kansas will announce contract awards soon, according to data compiled by EVAdoption.

The public sector programs come alongside private sector efforts. In Massachusetts, utilities expect to spend $400 million adding EV charging stations and making related grid upgrades over the next four years.

Nationally, General Motors, Honda, and five other automakers announced plans in July to build a network of 30,000 chargers in North America, with the first stations opening next summer. Walmart is also building its own national EV charging network. And Tesla, which runs a network with more than 22,000 fast-charging connections, has started opening its stations to other car brands and allowing other automakers to use its connector technology.

The public and private efforts are making important progress, according to Anna Vanderspek, EV program director at the Green Energy Consumers Alliance. “There is already some momentum and some resources to work with,” she said. “We know that we need to really ramp up electrification of vehicles and having access to charging is a huge piece.”

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An electric vehicle was plugged into a charger in Los Angeles last year.Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

Aaron Pressman can be reached at aaron.pressman@globe.com. Follow him @ampressman.





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Massachusetts

Massachusetts woman dies after procedure at Somerville home, liposuction operation reportedly under investigation

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Massachusetts woman dies after procedure at Somerville home, liposuction operation reportedly under investigation


An Everett woman has died after undergoing a medical procedure at a Somerville home, according to police who are reportedly investigating an illegal liposuction operation.

The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Somerville Police on Monday announced the Everett woman’s death and a Somerville woman’s hospitalization following recent procedures at a local home.

Everett police officers on Friday had responded to a Bucknam Street home for a 35-year-old woman in medical distress. She was transported to CHA Everett, where she was pronounced dead.

Police determined that the woman underwent a medical procedure a day before at a Somerville home.

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Detectives found out that another woman had also undergone a medical procedure at the same location. That woman was transported to a Boston hospital, where she remained on Monday.

“The investigation into the details of the alleged medical procedure and how the women’s injuries were sustained is ongoing at this time,” the Middlesex DA’s Office said in a statement.

The medical procedure was reportedly liposuction, as police investigate the alleged illegal liposuction operation, according to reports.

The Everett woman’s death has been referred to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and a ruling on the cause of death is pending.

The investigation is being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the DA’s Office, and Somerville Police.

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Police are urging anyone with information to contact Somerville Police at 617-625-1600 or Massachusetts State Police detectives at 781-897-6600.



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16-year-old killed in shooting at Massachusetts house party and more top stories

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16-year-old killed in shooting at Massachusetts house party and more top stories


16-year-old killed in shooting at Massachusetts house party and more top stories – CBS Boston

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A teenager died in a shooting at a large “chaotic” house party in Northboro, police said.

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Massachusetts

Here's Who Pays for Massachusetts Governor Healey's Trip to Italy

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Here's Who Pays for Massachusetts Governor Healey's Trip to Italy


Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey seems to be among the most-traveled chief executives in recent memory, given the number of trips she has taken in the short time she has been in office.

When you think she is home to stay for a while, she is off again on another adventure. Some of it is even business-related.

Since assuming office on January 5, 2023, Healey has racked up the frequent flier miles.

In March 2024, Healey’s handlers and some in the press had a dust-up over whether the governor should have to announce when she is leaving town and where she goes. The administration blinked.

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In the first 16 months of her administration, Healey traveled to Florida, Washington, North Carolina, Ireland, Puerto Rico and New Hampshire, that I can recall. She has been to DC at least a couple of times.

A March 19, 2024 report by Politico said up to that point, “Healey has spent at least 47 nights and 65 days out of state since taking office, according to a Playbook analysis of her calendars, news reports, and information from the governor’s office.”

Here’s Who Pays For Massachusetts Governor Healey’s Trip To Italy

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Upon completing a trade mission to Ireland last year, Healey bypassed Massachusetts on the return trip and spent the following week vacationing in Rhode Island.

Healey’s Irish sojourn cost an estimated $83,000, paid for with state funds and some private dollars. 

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Maura’s next big adventure is on you.

From May 14-17, 2024, Governor Healey, her climate chief Melissa Hoffer and three aides will visit Rome. The trip is paid for with taxpayer money from the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund, the intent of which is to “promote tourism in the state and help regional tourism councils.”  

The trip includes a private meeting with Pope Francis.  

State House News Service reported Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will “provide a keynote address at the opening session of a climate-focused conference hosted by the Vatican.” Boston taxpayers will foot the bill for Wu’s expenses.

The governor’s office won’t know how much you and I are on the hook for until the trip ends.

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The Best Reviews From People Who Had The Worst Time Visiting The White House

You think people are impressed visiting the White House? Think again. Visitors who have toured the White House grounds have taken to Yelp to voice their displeasure about everything from the size of the building at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. to Secret Service being rude to them when they got lost.

Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll

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