Applicants need to submit proposals by January 7, 2016. More information on the program and the application process is available at goo.gl/SjYYiI. Questions also can be directed to Fairfield’s Clean Energy Task Force (CETF) goo.gl/f1Iheh) at fairfieldcleanenergy@gmail.com.

The program’s goal is to promote the use of EVs by establishing publicly-accessible charging stations throughout Connecticut. DEEP is offering funding of up to $10,000 and plans to prioritize proposed installations available to the public at no cost, 24 hours a day, seven days a week in central locations presently underserved by EV chargers.

First Selectman Tetreau said, “By sponsoring the installation of an EV charging station, property owners can provide a valuable amenity for their environmentally conscious customers as well as make a highly meaningful, tangible statement about their own environmental awareness and concern. The Town of Fairfield encourages local commercial property owners to consider taking advantage of this opportunity.”

In Fairfield, new chargers would be installed by ChargePoint, which operates the world’s largest and most open EV charging network (www.chargepoint.com).

“Electric vehicles are reliable, safe, easy to maintain, fun to drive and, most importantly, far better for the environment than gas-powered vehicles,” said Scott Thompson, CETF chairman. “With the transportation sector the largest source of air pollution in Connecticut, EVs have strongly emerged as an effective way for individuals to cost-efficiently reduce their personal ‘carbon footprint,’ but we need to make the benefits of EVs readily accessible to even more drivers.”

According to the DEEP, there are currently 23,000 publicly available charging stations nationwide and more than 300 in Connecticut. The CETF, which supports town-wide initiatives for greater use of clean, renewable energy sources, has facilitated the installation of several EV charging stations in Fairfield at locations including Sherman Green and the Fairfield Woods Branch Library.