Northeast Utilities (Berlin, Connecticut, U.S.) is in the initial stages of developing an electric charging infrastructure for plug-in electric vehicles in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The initiative supports regional and national policy goals, which include reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and reliance on petroleum-based resources.

In a recent application for a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant, two NU operating companies — The Connecticut Light & Power Co. and Western Massachusetts Electric Co. — are proposing to build a network of 575 charging stations over the next two years. The plan calls for a geographically diverse combination of home-based, workplace and publicly accessible sites in the utilities' existing service territories. The companies are collaborating with New England-based Environment Northeast, the Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition and the Town of West Hartford, Connecticut, on key aspects of the project, including location selection and results monitoring.

“We see extraordinary potential in electric transportation as one of the tools to help meet the environmental and energy policy objectives of our regional and national leaders,” said James B. Robb, NU senior vice president of enterprise planning and development. “As the next generation of vehicles gets introduced, likely late in 2010, we want to be sure that New England is among the first markets. The development of a charging infrastructure is important, both to support the adoption of these exciting new vehicles and to allow us to assess the impact on our electric distribution system.”

The DOE's decision is expected in June 2009. NU's application requested federal funding of US$693,750, which is 50% of the project's total estimated cost of $1,387,500.

“This is an initial proposal, and we will be developing more specifics of the program over the summer, including substantial outreach to various stakeholders to help us maximize the impact of the grant,” Robb said. “We are also examining opportunities to participate with other stakeholders in additional federal grant opportunities to advance the electrification of transportation.”