Dozens Of EV Charging Stations Coming To MetroWest Cities, Towns

FRAMINGHAM, MA — If you own an electric car — or are thinking about getting one — recharging your battery might soon become a little easier.

The state Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) this week gave out $13.1 million in grants to cities, towns and private companies to build new charging stations. The grants will create about 306 new stations, and a portion of the money came from the state's settlement with Volkswagen over diesel emissions.

Related: Worcester Getting $640K To Build Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

A MassDEP press release did not say exactly where the charging stations will be located, but some grants went to branded gas stations. Here's a look at where the money went:

Framingham

The Kansas-based company EV Build received four separate grants totaling about $350,000 to build 10 charging stations in Framingham. The company does not have a website, but its Linkedin page says it "develops, builds, owns and operates universal fast charging stations for electric vehicles across the U.S."

Natick

EV Build also got a $70,080 grant to build two charging stations in Natick.

Marlborough

The company Equilon Enterprises got $100,000.00 for two charging stations in Marlborough. Equilon is a subsidiary of Shell Oil operating the company's branded gas stations. EV Build also got a $70,080 grant to build two more charging stations in Marlborough.

Milford

Three companies, including Equilon and Nouria, which operates a gas station at 139 Medway St., received grants totaling about $261,300 to build six charging stations. The third company is MPG Corp., which operates Shell, Gulf and Citgo stations and the brands Rapid Refill and Garrett’s Family Market.

Town grants

A number of local cities and towns received grants, including some in the region:

• $100,000 to Concord for two charging stations
• $47,299 to Sherborn for one charging station
• $100,000 to Norwood for two charging stations
• $340,200 to Westwood for eight charging stations
• $85,106 to Millbury for one charging station

Plug-in electric cars are still a small share of the car market, but sales have been growing steadily over the past decade, according to data tracked by the federal Argonne National Laboratory. There have been about 2.3 million sold since 2012, according to the data.

Massachusetts does offer rebates between $1,500 and $2,500 to residents who buy either full or hybrid plug-in vehicles.