Electrifying both municipal and community vehicles is a major goal in our Green Worcester Plan. According to our most recent Greenhouse Gas Emissions inventory 2020 - 2023, transportation accounted for 16% of municipal emissions and 31% of community-wide emissions.
Electric vehicles (EVs) produce no tailpipe emissions, helping to reduce both greenhouse gases and particulate pollution. While the electricity they use still has a carbon footprint, Worcester's (as well as the state's) growing use of renewable energy will continue to shrink, and eventually eliminate, that impact. That's why we're committed to expanding public EV charging access for residents and visitors while also transitioning our municipal fleet to electric.
Learn more about how we are working to make Worcester easier to get around for everyone and more electric vehicle-friendly on our Green Worcester Dashboard.
Bringing EV Charging to Worcester's Streets - Tell Us Where!
Worcester is installing 10 - 15 new electric vehicle charging ports along city streets to make EV ownership more accessible, especially for renters and residents who don't have a dedicated garage or driveway. These chargers are part of an effort to expand access to EV infrastructure in an equitable way, with a focus on Environmental Justice communities. The project is funded by a state grant through MassCEC's On-Street Charging Solutions Program so the chargers will be installed at no cost to the municipality.
Worcester is one of 15 cities selected for funding. The project must be completed by the end of 2026, and your input can help shape where chargers go.
Tell us where you'd like to see EV chargers - drop a pin or like your favorite locations on our interactive map! Suggestions made by June 16 will be considered for this project. Others may help shape future plans.
To stay up to date on this project, sign up for our EV Charger Project Newsletter.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Publicly Accessible EV Charging Stations (EVCS)
The City has 30 publicly accessible electric vehicle charging ports across several locations:
- Federal Plaza Municipal Garage: 6 ports (charging fees apply)
- Major Taylor Municipal Garage: 2 ports (no cost to use)
- Pearl-Elm Municipal Garage: 6 ports (charging fees apply)
- South High School: 6 ports (charging fees apply)
- Union Station Municipal Garage: 4 ports (no cost to use)
- Worcester Common Municipal Garage: 6 ports (charging fees apply)
At locations where fees apply, starting May 27, 2025, the rate is $0.30 per kWh, plus a $2.00/hour overstay fee after your vehicle is fully charged (with a 2-hour grace period to move your vehicle).
To see more details on EV charging station locations and costs, visit Electric Vehicle Charging Station Locations.
Municipal EV Charging Stations (EVCS)
For our municipal fleet, we have four EV charging ports at our Inspectional Services Department. Also, we recently completed a study to determine the best approach to installing EV charging stations to promote electrification of our municipal fleet in the years to come.
Municipal Electric Vehicles
We currently have three EVs - two for the Inspectional Services staff and one for City Hall staff. Supply chain issues have made it challenging to purchase EVs since 2021, but we're hopeful that availability will improve soon. In 2024, the Parks Division added two electric lawn mowers, which have been a hit with staff, and we're actively looking to add more.
Contact Information
Address
Sustainability and Resilience
51 Sever Street Worcester, MA 01609
Mailing Address: 455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Contact
Phone: 508-799-8324
Email Us
Hours
By Appointment
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.