Bubbles and I have explored every corner of New England. Photo: Emma Keaney
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that a 20-something year old working for an environmental advocacy organization has a dream of her first car being fully electric. After all, I’ve always been passionate about cutting carbon pollution, slowing climate change, and protecting my loved ones and community.
Honestly, it seemed like a pipe dream at first. I was a renter in an urban multi-family unit in the Boston area, so I wouldn’t be able to charge a car at home. And electric vehicles were way out of my price range anyway, right?
But the more I researched, the more my dream seemed attainable. There were reliable and inexpensive public chargers within a short walking distance from my apartment building. The state of Massachusetts was offering a $3,500 incentive to buy electric, and, at the time, there was a generous federal tax benefit as well. In 2023, my dream became a reality when I bought my baby blue Chevy Bolt EUV, which I quickly dubbed “Bubbles.”
Why Go Electric In the First Place?
It’s important to me to have multiple ways of getting around that don’t break the bank or overheat the planet. Living and working in the city means I have many options. I can take the T to work, use the Somerville Community Path for biking and walking, and ride the commuter rail to visit family.
Except, I still need to drive – and I don’t want to drop a ton of money at the pump or contribute to planet-warming emissions. I know a lot of New Englanders are in the same boat. Not every city has a robust public transportation system or walkable neighborhoods. Sometimes, people have to drive across state lines for work. We can’t just get rid of cars completely, and that’s the situation I found myself in.
Bubbles and I have seen the snowy slopes of Killington, Vermont, the sunny shores of southern Rhode Island, the cobblestone roads of Portland, Maine, and we’ve shuttled CLF colleagues to staff retreats in New Hampshire. All without spending on or using a single ounce of gasoline. Given gas prices are spiking so high, I especially appreciate not having to fuel up the same way.
It Wasn’t Easy at First, But Calling My Representatives Helped
I’m a renter, and so not only did my building lack an EV charger, but I also couldn’t just go and install one. So, when I first got my car, I was charging at a public charger about a half mile away.
The walk wasn’t too bad, and over time I got used to it. But a few months later, I noticed that our city had installed new chargers only a couple of hundred yards from my apartment building. This was about to be a game changer.
Weeks went by and the newly installed chargers weren’t turned on yet. I contacted our city hall and found out they were waiting for the electric company to come turn them on. Our city representative was thrilled to hear from constituents who were excited about the new chargers, and because of our encouragement, we got the chargers up and running more quickly!
I’ve always heard people say to call your representative and push for the change you want. I’ve never really tried it before. So making this call and seeing its impact gave me a lot of hope. The state of Massachusetts is ranked fourth in the country for electric vehicle chargers per capita. But not all New England states are up to speed with electric cars. This is the progress we need: more access to different types, models, and prices of electric vehicles and more functional charging stations. Contacting your state, city, or town representative can be one of the most powerful ways to get these changes moving in your neighborhood.
The idea of state-led progress is even more important considering the Trump administration ended federal tax incentives for purchasing electric vehicles in 2025. Many states, including five out of six New England states, still offer tax credits for purchasing used or new electric cars. Despite the setback from Washington for prospective buyers, electric vehicle sales and charging infrastructure continue to grow, and they are not going to stop anytime soon. And that’s because people like you and I have spoken to our decision makers and said that this is what we want – and we can’t back down now.
It brings me great comfort to know that my local and state officials are looking out for their electric vehicle drivers, like me, and prioritizing resources to expand infrastructure as demand grows.
Electric Vehicles Work For Me – And They Can for You, Too
While I don’t need my car to get to work (thanks, MBTA Green Line extension!), Bubbles has explored every corner of New England with me while cutting my refueling bills and climate pollution. Electric vehicles could do the same thing for you.
You can see whether your state offers tax rebates for purchasing new or used electric vehicles—Massachusetts, for example, offers up to $6,000—and explore charging options in your area. You can also contact your city or town hall to ask about plans for expanding charging infrastructure, as many communities take recommendations on where to install new ones.
I’m proud to align my values with my day-to-day life, without sacrificing convenience, cost, or comfort. And that’s what our future can look like if we do this upgrade right: affordable and reliable for all New Englanders.
