Drive Electric Vermont seeks continued funding as committee hears benefits, barriers to EV adoption

Drive Electric Vermont and Efficiency Vermont asked the House Transportation Committee on Feb. 25 for continued funding to support electric‑vehicle outreach, dealer and multifamily charging programs, and technical assistance.

The presentation, delivered by Dave Roberts of Efficiency Vermont, outlined why electrifying transportation matters for the state’s greenhouse‑gas goals, described current market trends and remaining barriers, and summarized the organizations’ work on dealer training, consumer education and public‑charging support.

Roberts told the committee that transportation is the single largest source of greenhouse‑gas emissions in Vermont and said electric vehicles reduce lifecycle emissions significantly, even after accounting for battery manufacturing. He said Vermont’s most recent registration data show “just under 18,000 vehicles, including all‑electric and plug‑in hybrids.”

Roberts said Drive Electric Vermont’s work focuses on three areas: coordinating industry and state stakeholders, running consumer education and marketing, and providing technical assistance for charging infrastructure and fleets. He described a recent website redesign, a phone and chat help line, quarterly stakeholder meetings and a dealer program that provided training and…