More electric vehicles could be silently whizzing down our roads because of comprehensive efforts underway by Rocky Mountain Power. The energy company filed for a $4 million federal grant to place electric vehicle (EV) chargers along 1,500 miles of highway in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho, and provide incentives to convert business cars to electric vehicles. Rocky Mountain Power also submitted a plan with Utah regulators to develop incentives for EV charging stations.
"Rocky Mountain Power is committed to being part of the solution to improve air quality in the states we serve," said Cindy A. Crane, Rocky Mountain Power President and CEO. "Right now motor vehicles are creating the most emissions in urban areas. Electric vehicles could help reduce vehicle pollution."
The "WestSmart EV" grant or "WesternSmart Plug-in Vehicle Community Partnership" was filed with the U.S. Department of Energy and would also provide incentives to convert business cars to electric vehicles and additional funds would be used to integrate electric bus service, taxis and bikes.
The partnership includes a broad coalition including the Utah Office of Energy Development, University of Utah, Utah State University, Utah Clean Cities Coalition, Breathe Utah and others. The grant's target is to increase the number of electric vehicles over the next 10 years, potentially leading to more than 50,000 EVs.
"Those of us who live and work along the Wasatch Front know first-hand the state's most populated area experiences bad air quality during our inversions," said Vicki Bennett, Salt Lake City's Sustainability Department Director. "This grant would be a significant step towards improving the air we breathe."
The Utah Division of Air Quality has found 56 percent of the air pollution in the Wasatch Front comes from motor vehicles. The DOE is expected to announce in January 2017 whether this grant application has been selected for funding.
Rocky Mountain Power also submitted an application asking the Utah Public Service Commission to implement a 5-year pilot program to develop EV charging stations through incentives with $2 million in funding per year. The EV program is part of a larger plan authorized by the Utah legislature in March, approving $10 million per year for 5 years for the Sustainable Transportation and Energy Plan Act.
