City of Cambridge Announces Electric Vehicle Charging Pilot Program  

Cambridge, MA, July 12, 2023 -- The City of Cambridge today announced a new Electric Vehicle Charging Pilot Program that will allow charging of electric vehicles (“EV”) across City sidewalks. The new charging pilot program provides residents without driveway access the opportunity to charge EVs across the public sidewalk by applying for a new Across Sidewalk Electric Vehicle Charging permit.  

The city recognizes the importance of Electric Vehicle infrastructure. As of January 2023, there were over 5,000 EVs registered in Cambridge. Electric Vehicles (EVs) create less greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution than traditional gasoline-fueled vehicles. EV drivers benefit from better fuel economy and?financial incentives and contribute to cleaner air and better health for the community.  

”We have continued to see an increased demand for EV charging,” said Assistant City Manager for Community Development Iram Farooq. “This program will assist the many residents who do not have access to driveways or off-street parking while we continue to expand publicly available EV charging solutions.” 

To obtain this new permit, Cambridge residents who do not have access to off-street parking must: 

- Have a valid City of Cambridge Residential Parking Permit

- Obtain a letter from a certified electrician confirming the property is equipped with a ground floor outdoor outlet that is protected by a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (“GFCI”)

- Provide an accessible ramp over the cord to ensure the sidewalk remains accessible for pedestrians

This charging pilot program supports the city’s continued commitment to increasing public EV charging access and will act as a transitional piece for meeting the overall publicly accessible EV charging goals. Permits will not be issued within a five-minute walk to an existing publicly accessible charging station, on major pedestrian routes, or streets with separated bike lanes.  

To date, the city has installed publicly accessible chargers throughout the city that can accommodate a total of 39 vehicles and continues to install additional charging stations in high demand areas. In 2022, over 45,000 hours of charging occurred at city-owned charging stations. As more publicly accessible chargers are installed, there will be less need for Across Sidewalk Electric Vehicle Charging permits to be issued.  

The city will evaluate the Charging Pilot Program through 2024, to determine its future feasibility. 

To learn more about the program or to apply for a permit, please visit: https://cambridgema.viewpointcloud.com