Worcester Business Journal

14 Worcester Business Journal | October 10, 2016 | wbjournal.com F or three years, electric buses have been roaming the streets of Worcester, silently and efficient- ly going about their business of transporting patrons. Even though the Worcester Regional Transit Authority had to pay a $275,000 premium for those buses from California vehicle maker Proterra over the cost of a typical diesel bus – and spend another $650,000 on a fast- charging station – WRTA Administrator Jonathan Church said the switch has been positive, insulating the organization against fluctuations in fossil fuel prices and potentially offering cost-savings when those prices spike. "Energy prices are what are going to drive decisions. If gasoline and diesel prices are going to go back up to five or six bucks a gallon, then it's worth put- ting in that investment to look into elec- tric or partial electric fleet," said Church. Adoption of electric vehicles among business and consumers in Massachusetts increased nearly 200 per- cent between 2013 and 2015 – aided by $10,000 in federal and state subsidies per vehicle, high fuel prices and the environmental movement for fewer greenhouse gas emissions – but the state is still well short of its goal of hav- ing electric vehicles comprise 15 per- cent of all vehicle sales by 2025. Currently, EVs make up less than 2 percent of vehicles in Massachusetts, according to data from UMass Boston. Proving the technology For the past three years, the WRTA buses performed their job at a cheaper rate than the diesel equivalent, achiev- ing an energy use equivalent of 8 to 19 miles per gallon compared to 4 to 6 for a traditional diesel bus, said Steve Clermont, a director and senior project We are not ready for electric vehicles yet Despite a strong push from the industry and organizations like WRTA and National Grid trying to showcase the viability and benefits of electric vehicles, nearly two-thirds of Central Massachusetts business leaders who took WBJ's online poll on the topic don't want to buy electric vehicles, as they are concerned about the price and the technology. F L A S H P O L L Would you consider having electric vehicles in your company fleet? The price has come down enough to make them viable. 15% "The tipping point has arrived. Self-driving will be coming right on the heels of electric vehicles. What are you waiting for???" COMMENTS: "It is not only the range, but time and charging locations are not established in all areas." The cost is still too high to justify, especially with current gas prices. 28% "They don't have the needed range yet. My guys drive up to 500 miles some days." Yes. Beyond cost savings, it also provides a good image boost for the company. 23% No. The technology is still not good enough to cover our range. 34% F O C U S E N E R G Y manager at the Atlanta nonprofit Center for Transportation and the Environment. Through May of this year, the six electric buses in the fleet have reduced the WRTA's diesel consumption by more than 72,000 gallons. "Even on its worst day when it's pour- ing out heat or air conditioning, it's going to be better than a diesel vehicle," said Clermont, whose organization works to push advanced technology by helping businesses add electric vehicles to their fleet. With the WRTA proving electric vehicles can work year-round in New BY SAM BONACCI Worcester Business Digital Editor Selling electric vehicles As the state's ambi- tious 2025 goals are looming for the near future, public agen- cies and businesses are showcasing the capabilities of switch- ing to environmentally friendly fleets England, Clermont is push- ing for more busi- nesses to add elec- tric vehicles to their fleets, with his organization helping businesses find federal grants to make the transition. "It's sort of like buying a computer. There is always going to be better tech- nology and better features in the next version, but that doesn't mean you should put off purchasing an electric vehicle just to wait for the latest version to come out," he said. Massachusetts utility company National Grid was among the early adopters, bringing its first electric vehi- cles into its fleet back in the 1990s, said Michael Randazzo, principal fleet engi- neer for National Grid. The company now operates 55 plug- in electric vehicles, and for the elec- tricity company, it is about bringing its own operations in line with current needs in the state and technological advancements. "The benefits of using PHEV's include reducing carbon pollution, providing for a quieter work environment for our crews and customers and reducing our use of fossil fuels. We are also promoting the use of green technologies in the communities we serve," Randazzo said. Proving the business case From 2013 to 2015, the adoption of electric vehicles in Massachusetts grew by 195 percent to 5,360 by the end of June 2015, according to data provided by David Cash, dean at the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston. That significant growth was sweet- ened by the $2,500 in state subsidies and $7,500 in federal subsidies for elec- To operate four electric buses instead of diesel, the Worcester Regional Transit Authority had to spend an extra $1.8 million, but the organization figures it is spending about 40 cents per mile in fuel costs to operate them, compared to 60 cents for the diesel buses. Steve Clermont

• Cover