Some of the biggest and busiest construction companies in Massachusetts have agreed to promote the adoption of battery-powered vehicles, heavy equipment and power tools in their industry, signaling a readiness for what an industry group said will be an “inevitable” transition away from fossil fuels.
Seven firms have signed the “Construction EV Charger Pledge” that was a product of the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts (AGC MA) Sustainability Advisory Committee. The companies have committed themselves “to expanding their sustainable building practices by promoting the adoption of battery powered vehicles, heavy equipment, and power tools.” AGC MA also requested that the companies install at least one commercial-grade electric vehicle charger at their places of businesses and at all construction sites.
So far, Consigli Construction, Columbia, Commodore Builders, Gilbane, Shawmut Design & Construction, Skanska, and Turner Construction have committed to the pledge, according to the AGC MA.
“As leaders in the Commonwealth’s construction community, it is on us and our partners in the industry to drive necessary change, like the prioritization and installation of electrified vehicles and equipment, on our jobsites to help accomplish our shared sustainability goals,” Steven Burke, director of sustainability at Consigli Construction, said. “Consigli is committed to working collaboratively with AGC MA and our fellow EV pledge cosigners to do our part and lead the construction industry toward a greener, more sustainable future.”
AGC MA said it expects “social and regulatory pressures will continue to grow and force every industry to adapt” as Massachusetts and other states try to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The organization noted that construction sites do not have the capacity to charge workers’ personal EVs or new electric heavy equipment. Providing chargers at construction sites, the group said, “would send a strong signal that the industry is preparing for this inevitable transition and allow companies and individuals to get ahead of the curve.”
The transportation sector accounts for about 42 percent of the emissions in Massachusetts and the state’s Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2050 calls ensuring that the vehicles on the road in 2050 are powered by clean energy “the primary strategy to achieve deep decarbonization in the transportation sector” and said that “transitioning the vehicles operating in Massachusetts to EVs will be the most effective decarbonization strategy for reaching Net Zero in 2050.”
“Electric vehicles are an important way to lessen a growing problem. While we expect that electrification of construction vehicles and equipment will someday be the norm, it’s essential to take steps now,” AGC MA Sustainability Committee Chair Abigail Roberts, who works as sustainability program manager at Turner Construction, said.
