Electric vehicles (EV) are growing in popularity, but higher costs and limited availability are still barriers to entry for many people.
However, Montgomery County is working to change the EV narrative, issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to establish an Electric Vehicle Group Buy Program. The County says the program, “sometimes known as ‘Cooperative Purchasing’,” is supposed to reduce the cost of buying or leasing an EV for residents through volume purchasing.
Deadline Extended to Dec. 31: Montgomery County Issues Request for Information for Electric Vehicle Group Buy Program https://t.co/UMJLt4qYuv @MCDOTNow @MCDOT_Parking @MontgomeryCoMD pic.twitter.com/ynJrfnmkdL
— mococommuter (@mococommuter) November 30, 2020
The RFI will allow the County to “obtain input from individuals and organizations who have experience relevant to EV Group Buy programs and those with more general experience and knowledge surrounding electric vehicles.”
A successful program would increase the rate of EV adoption while reducing transportation emissions and furthering the County’s climate goals, the County says. Additionally, local car dealerships would generate more EV sales and the program would make EV’s much more accessible to lower income residents and others “who have historically been left out of similar technology initiatives.”
To respond to the County’s request, residents can send an email to climate@montgomerycountymd.gov through 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31. Instructions on how to submit your response are listed on the RFI.
The County says they will evaluate all responses prior to scheduling an Electric Vehicle Group Buy Forum.
