Ride Clean Mass Charging Hubs

MassCEC / Clean Transportation / Funding / Ride Clean Mass Hubs

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The Challenge: Increasing Access to Charging for Vehicle-for-Hire Drivers

Limited access to public EV charging is a major barrier to electrify Massachusetts' Vehicle-for-Hire (VFH) sector. Rideshare and taxi drivers require fast, reliable public charging, yet existing infrastructure often falls short of their needs. Expanding charging options for these high-mileage, low- to moderate-income drivers is critical to advance the Commonwealth’s goals of transportation electrification, equity, and decarbonization.

About Ride Clean Mass Charging Hubs

The Ride Clean Mass Charging Hubs (RCM Hubs) Program is seeking businesses and municipalities to host 5–7 strategically located EV charging hubs across Massachusetts. Eligible site hosts—including grocery stores, gas stations, hotels, hospitals, and other high-traffic locations—can receive over $1 million in state-funded investment to install public fast chargers, attract more visitors, and support clean transportation. This is a unique opportunity to enhance your facility while playing a key role in building a more sustainable, EV-ready future.

How to Participate

Are you a private business or municipality interested in hosting a VFH EV charging hub? Apply today to bring cutting-edge EV infrastructure to your site with state-funded investment and long-term benefits.

As a selected site host, you will receive:

Infrastructure Investment: Up to $1+ million in EV charging infrastructure at your site, covering planning, permitting, installation, and maintenance for 5 years.
Targeted Outreach: Marketing and engagement efforts to attract rideshare and taxi drivers, boosting foot traffic to your business.
Program Management: A dedicated team of experts to manage the EV charging procurement and installation processes.
Sustainability Leadership: A visible commitment to clean transportation and emissions reduction, positioning your site as a leader in green infrastructure.

Project Timeline

This program is designed to be as seamless as possible for site hosts. The RCM Hubs team will handle the technical and financial heavy lifting, while hosts primarily need to stay responsive and ensure site access throughout the process.

Timeline	Host Responsibilities
Mar – May 2025	Apply to be a Site Host. Complete application; respond to follow-up questions, help coordinate site visits.
May 2025	Site host selection (5–7 sites, 4–10 chargers per site). Review and sign participation agreements; provide any necessary site details.
June – Sep 2025	Submit work orders to utilities (50 days). Begin construction. Be responsive to inquiries regarding site logistics, permitting, and utility coordination.
Sep – Oct 2025	Work orders approved. Full construction mode. Ensure access to the site for construction teams and communicate any site-specific considerations.
Oct - Dec 2025	Energization, commissioning, site activation. Begin maintenance and data collection. Monitor site conditions and report any operational concerns to the project team.
Jan 2026 – Dec 2026	Stations live. Ongoing maintenance and data collection. Ensure stations are available 24/7, snow is paved, and maintenance needs are reported in a timely manner.

Who's Eligible

What Makes a Strong Site Host Application

Top-scoring applications will have:

Permission to build and long-term site control (ownership or lease)
6-9 available parking spaces
24/7 public and restroom access
Strong lighting, snow, and trash maintenance
Location near high-demand areas (priority communities) and limited existing chargers nearby
Retail, driver, or vehicle amenities on-site (e.g., food, seating, restrooms, car wash)

Participant Benefits

Hosting a VFH EV charging hub brings valuable economic, environmental, and social benefits to your site, including:

Increased Foot Traffic: Draw rideshare and taxi drivers to your location, boosting business activity and visibility.
Valuable Community Amenity: Offer a valuable amenity to your community, providing a convenient and modern service while ensuring your area is future-ready.
Sustainability & Compliance: Align with Massachusetts' clean energy and decarbonization goals while staying ahead of evolving regulations.
Equitable Access: Help expand EV infrastructure in underserved communities, ensuring all drivers have access to reliable charging.
Funding & Partnership Opportunities: Unlock potential incentives and collaborate with leaders in the clean transportation sector.

RCM Hubs Office Hours

The Program Team will host open office hours for potential site hosts to ask any questions they have about the program, the application process, and their site eligibility. Office hours will be held every Wednesday at 12pm ET and 6pm ET and interested sites are encouraged to join multiple sessions if they have additional questions.

Register

Application Resources

RCM Hubs Live Webinar

The Program Team is hosting a pre-application webinar for the RCM Hubs Program on May 8th at 12pm. Register for the webinar to learn more about site host eligibility, what costs are covered, projected timelines, and the application process.

Register for Webinar

RCM Hubs Recorded Webinar

For those unable to attend our upcoming webinar, a recording and the slides are available to view. Both will provide information about eligibility, budget, and the application process.

Applications will be open until mid-May 2025.

All interested site hosts are welcome to apply. Note that the Program Team will be prioritizing locations in the following municipalities:

Lynn
Chelsea
Everett
Revere
Salem
Lawrence
Malden
Springfield
Worcester
Brockton
Boston: Roxbury, Dorchester, East Boston

For more details on the program and application process, contact us at info@rcmhubs.org

Who Should Apply?

RCM Hubs is seeking businesses, municipalities, and property owners interested in hosting public fast-charging stations to support Uber, Lyft, and taxi drivers. Ideal site hosts are locations with high traffic, extended operating hours, and space to accommodate EV charging infrastructure.

Eligible Site Hosts:

Retail & Commercial Locations – Grocery stores, shopping centers, gas stations, convenience stores
Hospitality & Healthcare – Hotels, hospitals, medical centers
Transportation Hubs – Parking garages, transit centers, airports
Municipal & Public Properties – City-owned lots, community centers, libraries

Site Host Commitments & Requirements:

Provide a suitable site with 24/7 public access for EV drivers.
Ensure site amenities like lighting, snow removal, and basic maintenance (trash bins, bathrooms). Lighting and security cameras can be provided if needed.
Be responsive to RCM Hubs team requests regarding permitting, construction coordination, and site access.
There is no direct cost for infrastructure installation—the program funds planning, equipment, and installation.
Hosting an RCM Charging Hub is a low-effort, high-impact opportunity for site owners to attract more visitors, receive a $1+ million state investment, and play a key role in expanding EV infrastructure in Massachusetts.

Apply to Be a Site Host

About the Program

RCM Hubs is funded by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and managed by CALSTART to expand access to public fast charging for high-mileage drivers, including Uber, Lyft, and taxi drivers. We work with the Center for Sustainable Energy, Green Energy Consumers Alliance, and Better Together Brain Trust (BT2) to make EV adoption more accessible and practical for rideshare and taxi drivers.

Explore other clean transportation initiatives at:

Join us in building a cleaner, more connected Massachusetts!

Apply

FAQs

What are DCFC? How fast do they charge?

DC Fast Chargers (DCFC) provide high-speed charging for electric vehicles, significantly reducing charging time compared to standard Level 2 chargers. Depending on the vehicle and charger, DCFC can typically charge an EV to 80% in 20-45 minutes, making them ideal for drivers who need quick turnaround times.

Who will own the stations?

Once installed, the site hosts will own the stations and have full control over their operation.

Who will maintain the stations?

The program has partnered with a leading EV charger service provider to offer 24/7 maintenance and support. The program will fully cover maintenance costs for the first five years to ensure reliable service.

FAQs continued...

Who will set the electricity rates and collect the revenue?

Through the end of 2026, the program will set electricity rates to ensure affordability and consistency. After that, the site hosts will determine pricing with program guidance. All charging revenue will go directly to the site host.

What if a station breaks?

If a station experiences issues, the site host should notify the program’s maintenance provider, who will promptly service and repair the unit.

What hardware and software will be used?

The program is currently finalizing hardware and software selections to ensure a top-tier charging experience at an affordable rate. More details will be shared soon.

How will these stations serve Uber, Lyft, and taxi drivers?

The program is prioritizing charging hub locations in areas with the highest demand from Uber, Lyft, and taxi drivers. These hubs will primarily feature DC Fast Chargers (DCFCs), allowing drivers to charge quickly and get back on the road with minimal downtime. Additionally, the program is considering priority access options for rideshare and taxi drivers to further support their charging needs. More details will be shared as plans develop.

Will community members have access to the stations?

Yes! These charging stations will be available to all community members, ensuring equitable access for local residents and visitors.

What happens after five years?

The program plans to have all charging hubs operational by early 2026 and will remain actively involved through the end of 2026. Site hosts are expected to maintain and operate the stations for at least five years (through 2031). After that, the future of each charging hub will be determined by the site hosts.

Would the charger have to hook up to the site’s existing electrical panel?

In most cases, the chargers will require a dedicated power source, and they may or may not connect to the site’s existing electrical panel depending on available capacity. To ensure reliable power delivery, the program is providing transformers for each site, which will help support the charging infrastructure without overloading existing electrical systems. Final electrical configurations will be determined based on site-specific conditions.

Who gets paid for the charging and electricity use?

All charging revenue will go to the site host. Initially, the program will set charging rates to cover costs and ensure affordability for drivers through the end of 2026. After that, site hosts will have control over pricing, with guidance from the program.

MassCEC / Clean Transportation / Funding / Ride Clean Mass Hubs