Electric Vehicles
In 2021, New Hampshire electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for less than one percent of the State’s vehicle share; by June 2022, New Hampshire grew to more than 7,000 EVs registered. This increase is due to New Hampshire’s efforts of increasing charging infrastructure and providing incentives to lower the upfront costs of EVs and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) in 2019. (Source: State of New Hampshire Plan for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment)
EVs in the SNHPC Region
In 2023 SNHPC staff, with input from regional stakeholders, developed a Region Plan for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Development. The purpose of this Plan was to identify viable Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC) locations along the region’s major travel corridors.
Statewide EV Resources
Looking for a map of current EV charging stations? Drive Electric NH has a number of helpful resources on their website, including a Charging Map. Communities looking to invest in EV charging stations can download the Municipal Guide to EV Charging Stations (developed by Strafford Regional Planning Commission) and Rural EV Charging Toolkit (published by U.S. Department of Transportation). The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services' Community Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Program webpage includes funding updates and subsequent program announcements.
eVTOL aircraft
Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will be coming soon to Manchester, NH thanks to a 2022 grant from the Build Back Better Regional Challenge. EVTOL vehicles take off vertically like a helicopter but fly like an airplane. Without the need for long runways, eVTOL vehicles require much less real estate than planes.
Check out this video from BETA Technologies:
Wow! Why Southern New Hampshire?
As a recent winner of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, the BioFabrication Cluster, led by the City of Manchester, will receive approximately $44 million to establish Southern New Hampshire as the global epicenter for the production and distribution of regenerative tissues and organs. eVTOL aircraft will have the ability to deliver organs to New England’s 14 regional transplant centers in under an hour (timing plays a critical role in preserving the viability of organs during transport)! For more information on the project, please visit eda.gov/arpa/build-back-better/finalists/City-of-Manchester.htm
E-bikes
The sale of electric bicycles, also known as pedal-assist bikes or e-bikes, outpaced electric cars in 2021. E-bikes expand opportunities for transportation, especially for people with physical limitations that may be attributed to age, injuries/illnesses, or fitness level.
E-cargo bikes are gaining popularity for transporting freight, replacing traditional trucks and vans for the final few miles. The Denver Food Rescue is one such example- using a fleet of e-cargo bikes to transport excess produce from grocery stores to No Cost Grocery Programs (NCGPs) in various Denver neighborhoods.
In the SNHPC region, e-cargo bikes are used to transport another type of precious cargo- students!
Since March 2022, Manchester Moves’ “Bike School Bus” has successfully been getting students pedaling to school 5 days per week, rain or shine. Led by a group of dedicated parents, the bike bus aims to eliminate childhood obesity, depression and anxiety by incorporating physical activity into children's everyday lives. For more information or to volunteer, please visit manchestermoves.org/bike-school-bus
