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A Big Papi company could be about to get a no-bid state contract to install EV chargers

By adamg on Thu, 07/25/2024 - 9:43am

Horizon Mass reports David Ortiz is an investor in a Florida company called Charge Fast Power that could be about to get a no-bid MassDOT contract for $100,000 to install six EV chargers - but with an option for 50 more, which would make the contract worth closer to $1 million. The site says MassDOT officials couldn't really say why they felt they had to whip up the contract now without soliciting bids or waiting for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to complete its study of how to dole out $9.5 million in federal funds for EV chargers that would work with mobile phones.

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Comments

By BostonDog on Thu, 07/25/2024 - 10:00am.

It's a mistake for governments to spend money building out electric charging stations. The government didn't build the gas fueling industry and yet there seems to be no shortage of gasoline cars and gas stations.

If traditional ICE vehicles are a problem (they are) the solution is to raise the gas taxes and registration fees. This will offset the harm from burning gasoline and will spur private investment in electric charging stations without public spending.

And ideally, you want people to stop driving so much entirely, irrespective of the engine. It's not as if electric vehicles are perfect. They only solve one of many problems.

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By brianjdamico on Thu, 07/25/2024 - 10:32am.

The government didn't build the gas fueling industry

There are plenty of government fueling stations for government vehicles. Large public safety and public works type departments often have their own fuel station.

I'm going to guess that a statewide agency like MassDOT purchasing between 6 and 56 of these charging units under this Intent to Purchase is not intended to be for general public usage. They're likely preparing to have more EVs in the state fleet.

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By BostonDog on Thu, 07/25/2024 - 12:35pm.

Lots of news as of late about federal and state government trying to roll out EV charging for the public. Most of these projects have gotten a slow start for various reasons.

If this is for government uses, I have no objection.

By brianjdamico on Thu, 07/25/2024 - 2:20pm.

which is why I lead with "What we don't know is the intended use of this purchase"

Buying 6 up to a max of 56 units does not seem like a public-facing program for an agency that covers the entire Commonwealth. Unless it was some sort of a very targeted pilot program. But nothing I see indicates that either. That would be something like 1 charging unit per 120,000 residents. Or 1 unit per 1,300 EVs registered in MA (1).

(1): DOE data: https://afdc.energy.gov/data/10962

By cybah on Thu, 07/25/2024 - 1:13pm.

No bid contract? What could possibly go wrong?!?