In November 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) authorized $5 billion in formula funding through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program (NEVI) and an additional $2.5 billion in discretionary funding for charging and fueling infrastructure. These funds are meant to support the vision of establishing a nationwide network of 500,000 electric vehicle (EV) chargers by 2030. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is set to receive $63.5 million in NEVI formula funding over the next 5-years and will have the opportunity to apply for additional discretionary funding to further support EV charging station deployment and other zero emission transportation infrastructure.

Coming on the heels of the MA Decarbonization Roadmap that calls for 100% zero emission light-duty vehicle (LDV) sales by 2035 along with the MA Clean Energy and Action Plan which strives to increase the number of EVs traveling on MA roadways from the current 36,000 to 750,000 by 2030 – BRPC Transportation staff has developed the Berkshire County Electric Vehicle Charging Station Plan.

To ensure the region isn’t left behind and is prepared for the transition ahead, BRPC Transportation staff will facilitate the creation of an EV charging station working group. The working group will be composed of municipal stakeholders. Ultimately, the goal of the group is to work towards defining public charging station priorities and needs at the county level and to help identify suitable areas at the municipal level for network expansion. This working group will serve as a forum for information exchange and sharing as it relates to the evolving landscape of EVs and charging station acquisition, installation, maintenance, and operation. Involvement in this group will equip stakeholders with the information needed to benefit their community in making practical and reasoned decisions around charging station investments.