Over the past few years electric vehicles in Texas have surpassed 5.5% of the total of vehicles on the road, leading to bigger cities installing more EV charging stations since 2022.
In the Central Texas area, it is no surprise that electric vehicle registrations have increased as well, leading a few local cities to install EV charging stations, too.
KILLEEN
In Killeen, there are an estimated six usable electric vehicle charging stations for residents to use.
The Killeen stations accept Tesla vehicles and Type 1 electric vehicles, but all stations except for one, are restricted to customers and clients only.
In December, the Herald spoke with the owner of the non-restricted station. Steve Darden, the owner of Soldiers of Real Estate, has had the station open in front of the business for over a year; providing 24-hour surveillance, designated parking and more.
“I had a relative come down to visit me and found out she had to go all the way to Austin to get her vehicle charged or she had to stay in a local hotel in order to use theirs,” Darden said in December. “I have the parking lot here, so I decided to add a EV charging system.”
These places currently provide EV charging stations in Killeen:
- Soldiers of Real Estate, 4000 Bacon Ranch Road, non-restricted and open 24/7.
- Courtyard Marriott, 1721 E. Central Texas Expressway, restricted to guests and open 24/7.
- Killeen Hyundai, 3221 E. Central Texas Expressway, restricted to clients and open during location hours.
- Killeen Ford, 3301 E. Central Texas Expressway, restricted to clients and open during location hours.
- Bates Nissan, 5501 E. Central Texas Expressway, restricted to clients and open during location hours.
- Hampton Inn, 2702 O.W. Curry Drive, restricted to guests and open 24/7.
HARKER HEIGHTS
In Harker Heights, there is currently one available location for electric vehicle charging.
Twelve Tesla EV charging stations were installed in Market Heights, 201 E. Central Texas Expressway, near the parking lot across from Target.
This charging location opened to the public in the last few weeks following the finishing touches on construction.
According to Harker Heights Assistant City Manager Jerry Bark, before the official opening of the stations, residents had been asking about EV charging stations for some time.
“The city has had several requests and received comments from residents in the past regarding the lack of EV charging options in this area,” Bark wrote in an email to the Herald.
A second charging station featuring four to six spaces is expected to be built near Chase Bank, also in Market Heights, with all stations being open to the public.
NOLANVILLE
In Nolanville, the city installed its first charging station in September 2022.
The dual-charge station on 204 N. Main St. from California-based ChargePoint can charge a nearly depleted electric vehicle in about five hours.
Both pricing and availability are visible in real time using the ChargePoint mobile app.
“The city is excited that the community is supporting our goal of introducing sustainable travel options and we look forward to offering more charging areas in various locations in the community,” said Community Outreach Coordinator Jennifer Shidler in December.
According to the ChargePoint website, station owners or roaming partners may choose to charge by the kilowatt hour, by the hour, using a flat fee, minimum or maximum fee, or an overnight or idle fee.
Payment options vary by station, and public ChargePoint stations are accessible using third-party apps and cards.
As of January, charging fees billed through third-party apps may differ from the price shown on the station and is determined by the company operating the card or app.
Another station in the area is from Best Western Plus Lampasas, which only offers charging services to hotel guests.
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