Vermont

Experts outline Vermont’s progress in meeting EV adoption goals

Published

1 year ago

October 1, 2024

Experts outline Vermont’s progress in meeting EV adoption goals

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont and the rest of the country are in the midst of Drive Electric Week, a time to learn more about what it takes to go electric.

Whether it’s the grocery store, post office or public library, most people nowadays don’t bat an eye at electric vehicle charging stations because they are all around us. Still, experts say there’s a long road ahead to meet state EV goals.

Before a dotted line or even a test drive, many prospective EV drivers turn to Drive Electric Vermont’s David Roberts for advice.

“Will it work for me in winter? You know, is the range going to be enough? And generally, the answer is yes,” Roberts said.

He says more models fit for Vermont mud and snow seasons have hit the market in recent years, giving more drivers the EV green light.

“We’re seeing more availability,” he said. “So it’s great that more people are able to make the switch.”

According to Drive Electric Vermont, the state has more than 15,000 electric vehicles, a nearly 50% increase from 2023. Despite the jump, Patrick Murphy with VTrans says Vermonters will need to do more to meet the goals laid out in the state’s Climate Action Plan, which calls for 27,000 EVs by 2025 and 126,000 by 2030.

“We’re making good progress, but we’re still not there, and we know we have quite a bit to do,” said Murphy.

Murphy believes continued funding for popular state incentive programs is essential to meeting the state’s EV goals, but he estimates the $18 million appropriated in 2022 and meant to last until 2025 will dry up by the calendar year’s end. He says it’s a double-edged sword — Vermonters are opting into EVs but millions more are needed to keep up the momentum.

“Funding is needed to make sure that the transition to electric vehicles doesn’t leave anybody behind. Because we do know that these vehicles cost more on average, and a key piece of being able to make this affordable for Vermonters is providing these incentive programs,” said Murphy.

While the state looks for solutions, you can learn more about EVs this Drive Electric Week at an event on the Statehouse lawn on Wednesday and a ride and drive in Stowe next Tuesday.

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Related Topics:drive drive electric week electric EV ev adoption goals EVs Featured news vehicles vermont WCAX week

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Vermont

Unemployment claims in Vermont increased last week

Published

11 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Unemployment claims in Vermont increased last week

Staff reports
| USA TODAY Network

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Vermont rose last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, increased to 375 in the week ending February 21, up from 357 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims rose to 212,000 last week, up 4,000 claims from 208,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Rhode Island saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 132.0%. Michigan, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 49.9%.

USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s weekly unemployment insurance claims report.

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Vermont

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Thursday, Feb. 26

Published

24 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Thursday, Feb. 26

The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.

TO REPORT SCORES

Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.

▶ Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.

THURSDAY’S H.S. GAMES (REGULAR SEASON)

Boys basketball

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Peoples at North Country, 6:30 p.m.

Northfield at Stowe

Hazen at U-32

Oxbow at BFA-Fairfax

Winooski at Middlebury

Watch Vermont high school games on NFHS Network

Mount Mansfield at South Burlington

Essex at St. Johnsbury

BFA-St. Albans at Colchester

Lamoille at Spaulding

Lyndon at Harwood

Williamstown at Twinfield/Cabot

Rice at Champlain Valley

Randolph at Montpelier

Lake Region at Thetford

(Subject to change)

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Vermont

Vermont seasonal snowfall ranks high despite missing out on the Blizzard of 2026

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Vermont seasonal snowfall ranks high despite missing out on the Blizzard of 2026

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The historic ‘Blizzard of 2026′ brought a winter’s worth of snowfall to Southern New England, especially Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts area. Both states including New Jersey had snowfall totals that surpassed each respective state’s 24-hour snowfall record. Vermont on the other hand, too far north of the storm only received a fraction of the amount of snow.

HIGHEST SNOWFALL REPORTS BY STATE FROM BLIZZARD 2026:

RHODE ISLAND 37.9″ (Warwick)
MASSACHUSETTS 37.0″ (Bliss Corner)
NEW YORK 31.0″ (Central Islip)
CONNECTICUT 30.8″ (North Stonington)
NEW JERSEY 30.7″ (Lyndhurst)
PENNSYLVANIA 22.1″ (Langhorne)
DELAWARE 21″ (Long Neck)
MARYLAND 16″ (Bishopville)
VIRGINIA 15″ (Wintergreen)
MAINE 12″ (Trescott)
NEW HAMPSHIRE 9.8″ (Barrington)
VERMONT 6.8″ (Readsboro)

In northern Vermont, Burlington only received a few flakes from this historic nor’easter. Despite that, Burlington’s seasonal snowfall to date still ranks in the top ten across the eastern United States.

Current seasonal snowfall total rankings in the Eastern United States as of February 24th, 2026: