DENVER – September 18, 2019 – Charge Ahead Colorado, an electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure grant program managed in partnership by the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) and Colorado Energy Office (CEO), announced recent funding awards to numerous organizations for EV charging stations as events across the state celebrate National Drive Electric Week.
During the most recent Charge Ahead Colorado funding round, 51 organizations received grants to install 93 new EV charging stations throughout the state. Since the program began in 2013, the RAQC has funded 612 charging stations and 115 EVs within the Denver Metro area, and CEO has funded 270 charging stations outside of the Denver Metro area. Charge Ahead Colorado includes funding support from the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The next Charge Ahead Colorado funding round will be open from October 1-30, 2019.
“CEO’s recent Charge Ahead Colorado grant awardees include Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Colorado Springs Airport, Copper Mountain, Fort Lewis College and the City of Cortez, among many others, which shows the wide range of local communities working to establish EV readiness,” said Zach Owens, Colorado Energy Office Program Manager. “These chargers will provide EV drivers more options for publicly-accessible charging across Colorado and, ultimately, will help the state achieve the goal of getting nearly a million EVs on the road by 2030."
“The RAQC’s most recent Charge Ahead Colorado grant awardees are part of this region’s air quality solution—electric vehicle adoption provides many benefits to the Denver Metro area, including reduced harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions,” said Matt Mines, Charge Ahead Colorado Program Officer for the RAQC. "Electric vehicles are desirable to many Coloradans because of the low-cost fueling, environmental benefits and steadily increasing driving range. Colorado has been paving the way for easy EV ownership by creating significant consumer incentives and building a publicly-accessible charging station network."
Colorado consumers who purchase an EV qualify for up to $12,500 in federal and state tax credits, the highest incentives in the nation. To heighten awareness and promote the benefits of EV ownership, National Drive Electric Week (NDEW) events are being held across Colorado through this weekend. A list of local NDEW events can be found here.
This year, Charge Ahead Colorado is participating in the City and County of Denver’s NDEW event - information as follows.
WHAT: EV showcase and ride-and-drive event featuring a variety of models from local dealerships—the first 100 test drives will get a free lunch from Civic Center Eats! Electric bikes will also be available.
WHEN: September 19, 2019, 11 a.m.– 2 p.m. (Welcome by Governor Polis and Mayor Hancock at 10:45 a.m.)
WHERE: Civic Center Park, 1437 Bannock St., Denver 80202
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