MAPC, Zipcar Launch Solar-Powered EV Share in Boston
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- MAPC launched CommunityEV Carshare at four Greater Boston locations using Beam Global’s off-grid EV ARC solar chargers and Zipcar EVs, targeting historically underserved communities
- Zipcar offers members hourly rates between $11 and $13, with discounted access for eligible users, as part of a pilot to test affordable EV carsharing in low-access areas
- Beam Global’s EV ARC systems generate and store solar energy independently, enabling dual EV charging without grid connection, trenching, or electrical construction
- MAPC noted the off-grid chargers can produce up to 265 miles of driving range per day, eliminating per-kilowatt-hour costs and avoiding strain on local electricity infrastructure
- Lizzi Weyant, MAPC executive director, emphasized the program’s potential to pilot EV charging without expensive construction while advancing equity in clean transportation access
- MAPC is renting the EV ARC units rather than purchasing them, reducing upfront costs and providing Beam Global with a recurring revenue stream during the trial
Why it matters: This model cuts deployment barriers for EV charging in underserved areas by avoiding $100,000+ grid upgrades per site — a key hurdle in Massachusetts, where transportation creates 38% of emissions and net-zero hinges on equitable electrification. The rental arrangement shifts capital risk from public agencies to private providers, making replication easier if usage data supports scale.
