A Town Built on Deliberate Action
Nestled in the MetroWest region between Boston and Worcester, the Town of Westborough is a thriving community of more than 21,500 residents spread across 7,000+ households. Incorporated in 1717 as the Commonwealth's hundredth town, Westborough has a culture and a history of institutional action through careful deliberation and intent. When the town pursues something new, it assembles the evidence, earns broad support and proceeds with precision. This philosophy has shaped everything from budget decisions to infrastructure investments, and it was exactly this spirit that gave birth to one of the most methodical EV charging initiatives in the region.
From Golf Course Pilot to Town-Wide Strategy
Westborough's successful use of EV chargers on their municipal golf course was proof that EV infrastructure upgrades could be relatively low-cost to install, received consistent use and generated revenue for the town.
Recognizing the opportunity to expand their EV infrastructure, Westborough applied for a grant to develop a comprehensive EV charging Station Deployment Roadmap before installing another electric vehicle charger. PowerOptions, already a trusted partner through the town's natural gas procurement program, was selected to lead the effort.
The Roadmap: 29 Sites, One Clear Path Forward
PowerOptions assessed 29 sites across schools, municipal facilities and commercial locations evaluating each for electrical capacity, demand, and accessibility. The result was a fully prioritized, phased deployment plan with charger-type recommendations, site configurations, and funding guidance to minimize capital outlay.
When the roadmap was presented to the School Committee, the response was immediate: members praised its depth and the transparent prioritization
framework.
"This roadmap sets Westborough apart by demonstrating that the town is thinking thoughtfully and strategically about EV charging. It doesn't commit us to installing any chargers right away, but instead gives us a prioritized framework so if funding opportunities arise, we already have a plan in place." -Leila Ahmed, Sustainability Coordinator, Town of Westborough
What's Next
With the roadmap complete and a revolving EV revenue account now approved at a recent town meeting. Westborough has a self-sustaining model for future growth. Meanwhile, a Building Decarbonization Roadmap is underway, extending our partnership to municipal buildings
Business and Community Impact
- Golf course chargers consistently generate revenue that funds future innovations - a model now being scaled.
- Westborough positioned to capitalize on state and federal EV funding with a shovel-ready plan.
- The Westborough model demonstrates that small- and mid-size towns can devleop sophisticated sustainability infrastructure without a large internal team.
- Community is prepared for growth in EV ownership, ensuring no resident is left behind in the energy transition.