The City of Lebanon aims to reduce local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by 2035, and by 100% by 2050. In the transportation sector this will require almost all drivers to switch from gas and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) or a non-polluting equivalent. EVs save drivers money, produce no tailpipe pollutants that can cause respiratory problems, and their sales prices continue to drop as global competition to manufacture them heats up. EVs reduce GHG emissions by at least two-thirds compared with comparable gas vehicles and more if the electricity comes from renewable sources. All Lebanon residents should have access to these benefits. Many residents (especially renters) cannot charge an EV at home or at work, however, and there are no public chargers in key parts of Lebanon, making it very difficult to switch to an EV. In addition, an increasing number of tourists and other visitors who drive EVs have nowhere to charge in downtown Lebanon or along West Lebanon's Main Street, and thus may avoid visiting those areas, taking their tourism dollars elsewhere. An additional 1.85 million EVs are expected on New England roads within a decade. Installing EV charging benefits the local economy by increasing sales at businesses near the chargers, studies show.
