To get started

1. Contact our very own Wayland EV coaches Shelley and Sabine by filling in this form. 
2. Go to DriveGreen for tons of information on how they work, what the maintenance is like, what models are out there, etc.
3. Take the pledge (non-binding) to subscribe to their quarterly email newsletter with news on the latest models and deals, and invitations to EV showcase events.
4. You can also use the PlugStar “Browse Electric Cars” tool, an interactive online guide of models that helps you decide on which vehicle is right for you by having you answer a few questions. 1) how many miles you drive per day; 2) what type of long trips you make; and 3) how much passenger and cargo space you need?
5. Read Testimonials  from your neighbors on this site under the Testimonials Tab above.
6. Check our Events page for local EV events.

Once you know you want to go ahead

1. Go to the Green Energy DriveGreen website and educate yourself. They may also have deals. 
2. Ready to walk into that dealership? Don't assume these dealers will offer you the DriveGreen deals if there are any: you need to bring the deal to them.
3. Test drive cars at the dealers. It's free, no commitment!

Last but not least, let us know how it went by leaving a Testimonial under the tab above, and clicking "done it" on the EV action.

Emissions, anyone? In Massachusetts, transportation accounts for a whopping 43%  of our greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicles, in combination with renewable, carbon-free electricity generation, can dramatically reduce your greenhouse gas emissions because they have lower lifecycle emissions than gas-powered cars, even after accounting for extra emissions from battery manufacturing. (Buy 100% renewable electricity  at a small premium with Green Powered.)

With a renewably-powered EV, the only source of emissions comes from the manufacturing process. If the electricity comes from fossil fuels, driving an EV is obviously not entirely pollution free. Still, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, EVs and plug-ins have a much smaller carbon footprint than conventional cars no matter what the source of the electricity.

There are a lot of great choices on the market right now, from all-electric to hybrids with plug-in options. They're fun to drive with their great pickup and power. And they're cheaper to run. According to the Department of Energy, electric vehicles can save as much as $1,200 per year in fuel costs. EVs have fewer moving parts and are therefore much cheaper to maintain: they do not need oil changes, and have no transmission fluids, fuel pumps, timing belts and many other moving parts.

Range anxiety? Fully electric vehicles (EV) are constrained by their battery capacity, but the battery range improves by the year and the network of charging stations keeps expanding, with many apps that help you locate public charging stations and if they are available in real time. Most chargers are located conveniently at restaurants or roadside rest stops. Wayland has several public charging stations behind the Town Building (41 Cochituate Road) where you can charge for free (with a ChargePoint card), and at the Stop and Shop at Town Center (40 Boston Post Road). Or enter “charging stations Wayland MA” into Google Maps and you’ll see all the different charging stations in the neighborhood.

You can plug your car into any standard 110-120V outlet, but many EV and plug-in owners install a Level II 240 Volt charger, which speeds up charging time up to 6X faster. Equipment plus installation of these chargers cost in the range of $400 to $1,200, depending on the model and how your house is configured. This cost is tax deductible. And we can recommend an electrician to install one for you.

Rebates. Qualifying battery electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles are eligible for rebates, and so are plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Some electric vehicles qualify for federal income tax credits and state rebates. The amounts depend on the battery size of the vehicle, the model, and, of course, your tax liability (check here , and the dealer will advise you as well).