Town of Upper Marlboro Purchase First Electric Vehicle with Plans for Expanding EV Chargers

ELECTRIC VEHICLE, WILL ALSO INSTALL CHARGING STATIONS

Reposted from Upper Marlboro press release from May 19, 2021

The Town of Upper Marlboro has purchased its first fully electric vehicle that will be assigned to the Town’s code compliance officer who handles property standards issues and assists the Town police with parking enforcement. This newly purchased 2020 Chevy Bolt will replace a 2009 Chevy Impala that has reached the end of its lifespan.

The Town is also working with Pepco and the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) to install EV charging stations around downtown Upper Marlboro for residents and visitors to use. There are currently four electric vehicle charging stations at the Show Place Arena; the Town is working to bring additional stations into the downtown area, as well as at the Town Hall.

“The purchase of this electric vehicle is another example of our commitment to protecting and preserving the environment,” said Upper Marlboro Mayor Linda Pennoyer. “This will be the Town’s first ‘green’ vehicle, and another great step for the Town’s sustainability initiatives.

“Over the next few years, we plan to buy additional electric vehicles for our Police and Public Works departments and the Town Administration fleet,” she added.  “We will add those energy-efficient vehicles as soon as we are fiscally able to do so.”

Mayor Pennoyer said the $22,000 price tag the new electric vehicle is being significantly offset by a pending $10,000 grant from the MEA’s Maryland Smart Energies Community program.

As a result, the electric vehicle will only cost the Town $12,000. The Town’s Board of Commissioners passed a resolution by unanimous 3-0 vote at its April 13 public meeting authorizing the purchase.

Just last month, the Town of Upper Marlboro was named a 2020 Tree City USA by the national Arbor Day Foundation, in recognition of the town’s continuing commitment to urban forest management. According to the Foundation, the town achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance or proclamation.

Last December, the Board of Commissioners passed ordinance 2020-07, related to the protection, preservation, and promotion of the urban forest of Upper Marlboro. The ordinance also established a “Shade Tree Board” to be responsible for the tree program which regulates the planting and maintenance of trees in public places.

Mayor Pennoyer said the Town already has its new electric vehicle on-site and it will be ready for operation as early as next week .

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