KINGSTON, R.I. – November 22, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Energy awarded Plug In America $500,000 to invest in the promotion and adoption of plug-in electric vehicles in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The University of Rhode Island’s Ocean State Clean Cities Coalition will partner with Plug In America to promote electric vehicle use in Rhode Island.

The project, “Advancing PEV Adoption in New England,” focuses on accelerating the deployment of all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles as part of its climate action plan to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region. The project also contributes to the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge, which seeks to make the United States the first country to produce a wide array of plug-in electric models that are as affordable and convenient as the gasoline powered vehicles we drive today by 2022.

“It is our mission to educate and promote the benefits of plug-in cars throughout the country,” Joel Levin of Plug in America said. “We are excited and committed to replicate our successes elsewhere in Rhode Island and with our Northeast partners.”

The Ocean State Clean Cities Coalition will work with the URI Transportation Center, Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to introduce Rhode Island residents to driving electric vehicles.

“I am thrilled to be collaborating with Plug In America to create an Electric Vehicle Showcase in Rhode Island and across New England,” said Wendy Lucht, Ocean State Clean Cities coordinator and URI research associate. “This award will raise awareness among consumers and businesses of the significant environmental and economic benefits of using electric vehicles. The URI Transportation Center and Ocean State Clean Cities is proud to demonstrate a leadership role in the education and outreach necessary for the widespread adoption of this technology.”

Funds from the award will be used for public, workplace and fleet events starting next year.

“I will be organizing EV Showcase events in Rhode Island, focusing on public events and working with fleet managers,” Lucht said.

The project is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy under award number DE-EE0007789. More information can be found online at https://pluginamerica.org/

Plug In America is the leading national consumer voice promoting the use of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States to consumers, policymakers, auto manufacturers and others. Formed as a non-profit in 2008, Plug In America provides practical, objective information collected from our coalition of plug-in vehicle drivers, through public outreach and education, policy work and a range of technical advisory services. Our expertise represents the world’s deepest pool of experience of driving and living with plug-in vehicles. The organization conceived National Drive Electric Week and has advanced workplace charging by pioneering ride-and-drive events at such leading corporations as Google, Mattel and Paramount Pictures. We drive electric. You can too. www.pluginamerica.org