Easthampton, Massachusetts, Mayor Nicole LaChapelle has partnered with MoveEV, electric vehicle (EV) technology company, to offer its employees an electric vehicle adoption benefit and transition all city-owned vehicles to electric vehicles at the same time.

According to a release, Easthampton is working to develop a Climate Action Plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. In 2021, the Easthampton city council passed a resolution declaring a climate emergency.

Collectively, city employees could claim up to $3 million in federal and state incentives, and save $900,000 on gas annually by switching to EVs. MoveEV reported that swapping out these vehicles for clean EV alternatives cuts an average of 4.7 metric tons of carbon dioxide (MTCo2) a year per vehicle and could remove 1,500 MTCo2 annually. For the city’s fleet vehicles, the planned transition over the next 5-10 years is expected to save the city $360,000 a year on gas alone, and will remove 600 MTCo2 annually.

"We are excited to partner with MoveEV to help Easthampton reach our sustainability goals. In a fast moving industry, this public - private partnership with MoveEV gives Easthampton the technical support necessary to move toward vehicle decarbonization,” said Mayor Nicole LaChappelle. “Electric car by electric car, the City will see a measurable material impact - environmental and financial - while leveraging government and private incentives.”

The announcement coincides with the city of Easthampton’s Earth Day event for employees, which will take place on April 20th. Municipal employees who attend the event will be able to test drive electric vehicles on site. The MoveEV employee benefits portal will also be showcased. 

MoveEV’s conversion planning and management software walks employees through the EV adoption process including: calculating the value of switching to an EV, suggesting the right vehicle, monitoring supply, order placement and delivery, installing charging, and filling out incentive paperwork. 

"We are thrilled to be working with the city of Easthampton to help them halve their emissions by 2030,” said MoveEV's founder and CEO, David Lewis. “Electric vehicles are a game-changer for the environment, and will also save the city and its taxpayers a tremendous amount of money. With the combination of MoveEV's fleet and HR programs, we are confident that Easthampton will be a leader in helping Massachusetts reach its sustainability goals."