CHARLEVOIX — In Charlevoix, there are only a handful of publicly accessible electric car charging stations, however, the operators of the few that do exist report regular use year-round.
Realizing their increasing popularity, the city announced the expected June installation of two new electric car charging stations as part of the infrastructure improvement projects in the Mason Street parking lot behind Hoop Skirt Alley.
“This gives another reason for folks who are visiting or going to be in town for a while to come downtown. Ideally, while they are charging their vehicle, they are shopping, they are enjoying our town, they are visiting our restaurants and generally enjoying everything we have to offer,” said Charlevoix City Manager Mark Heydlauff.
The two new units both include two charging ports, so they can accommodate a total of four electric cars, doubling the capacity that the city currently offers.
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The city’s current no-fee charging station, which is about seven years old, is located next to Charlevoix Fitness. It accommodates only two vehicles and will be taken out of service once the new ones are installed.
At a total cost of $33,348 for both the faster charging new units and an additional $8,420 installation fee, the new units will come with a use fee that has yet to be determined, according to Heydlauff.
“Our expectation for the use fee will be a rate that will regulate the amount of time someone can park there — so somebody doesn’t just park there all day — and also be designed to compensate for the infrastructure costs and the electricity being used,” he said.
The only other place within the city limits with charging stations is the Hotel Earl’s parking lot along Bridge Street. The charging stations are offered to the hotel’s guests and used daily during the peak summer months and several times a week during the off season, according to owner Paul Silva, who drives an electric car himself.
“I think electric cars are great,” said Silva, who also wants to dispel notions that electric cars function poorly in the cold weather.
“The new charging stations are just another part of a larger sustainable city goal,” Heydlauff said.
— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 oradoyle@charlevoixcourier.com
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