Hartford Business Journal

20 ConneCtiCut Green Guide • Summer 2014 www.CtGreenGuide.com DEEP, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, and the town of South Windsor. Despite the difficulties, Scavone said installing the charging station was the best move for his business. "We did it because it was the right thing to do," Scavone said. "Until the infrastructure is out there, electric vehicles will never become mainstream." The difficulties with the program have not translated for all the participants. Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment of Enfield has worked on grants for 17 stations, although that number could decrease if the grant awardees choose not to go through with their projects due to extra costs beyond the grant for excavation and installation. "We've definitely seen an increase in business from the program, thanks to DEEP," said Dan Shanahan, EVSE director of sales and marketing. "They've done a good job in the first two rounds, and we're looking forward to results from the third." Shanahan said, as an early stage program, EV Con- necticut has its challenges. However, he said with coor- dinated collaboration between the energy industry and the state, the program will reach its 200-charger goal. "The momentum is building," Shanahan said. "A lot of what's going on isn't visible to the public, but the fact is, it's happening every day." EVSE has installed 91 residential, commercial and municipal charging stations throughout the state since 2010 in such locations as Southern Connecticut State University, Figaro Restaurant in Enfield, Norwich Utili- ties, and the town of Coventry. Alex Kragie, DEEP deputy chief of staff said EV EV Connecticut Program GranTS aWarded: 96 aWard Size: $2,000 to $5,000 ToTaL STaTe inVeSTmenT: $200,000+ Green Fact: on average, fueling with electricity costs roughly three times less than fueling with gasoline. SourCe: u.S. dePartment oF enerGy Other Connecticut EV incentives • The annual registration fee for electric vehicles is $19, compared to $80 for conventional passenger vehicles. • The Connecticut Clean Fuel program reimburses costs for public entities looking to add alternative fuel vehicles, clean fuel vehicles, or diesel retrofit technologies to their fleet operations. • Through the Clean Energy Communities Program, municipalities can earn energy efficiency and renewable energy points to use towards the installation of EV charging stations. GE has developed its own electric vehicle charging station developed out of its Plainville facility, hoping they one day become as popular as parking meters. PHOTO | HBJ FiLe

• Cover