Photo: Jared Brosnan/WBZ NewsRadio
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Massachusetts has massive electric vehicle ambitions. Per the 2030 Interim Clean Energy and Climate Plan, officials aim to have 900,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2030.
With 89,300 registered electric cars and about 8,800 fast chargers in the state, policymakers must add an additional 75,000 public charging stations to support their 2030 goals. Given the potential for a recession and rising inflation, some are wondering if people will be able to afford an EV.
The City of Cambridge is increasing fees for public use of the city-owned charging stations. Drivers will now pay $0.28 per kilowatt hour (kWh), an increase of $0.09 from the current rate citing operating costs, giving potential EV customers pause.
"The price range. I think not a lot of people can afford it," says one resident.
While some support the idea of electric vehicles, they also believe the rising costs contradict the primary purpose of going electric.
"I think that all the governments have a responsibility to make it more affordable for people so that we can save the environment," says another resident.
"I could see myself in one. Probably a Kia, but I am not thinking about Tesla."
WBZ NewsRadio's Jared Brosnan (@jaredbrosnanwbz) reports.