Massachusetts Launches Solar-Powered EV Carshare Pilot for Low-Income Neighborhoods
A new pilot program, CommunityEV Carshare, has been launched in four lower-income neighborhoods in Massachusetts, providing residents with access to solar-powered electric vehicles (EVs) at discounted rates. The program, which began on Monday, offers hourly EV rentals in Boston, Chelsea, Framingham, and Quincy. The initiative is facilitated by Zipcar, which has waived its standard application fee and reduced the annual membership fee for participants. The vehicles, including Hyundai Konas and a Kia Niro, are equipped with solar-powered chargers from Beam Global, allowing for quick deployment without extensive infrastructure changes. The program aims to assess the demand for such services and gather data on usage patterns to potentially expand EV use and reduce emissions.