Avalon Powers Ahead of Jersey Towns, Opens First Public Electric Charging Unit

AVALON — There could be a new conversation among borough visitors and residents, “Honey, would you get a loaf of bread a gallon of milk, and plug in the car on the way home.”
On Fri., Aug. 5, this borough became the Garden State’s first municipality to offer a public electric vehicle charging station. For those who drive a Chevrolet Volt, a Nissan Leaf or Tesla Motors Roadster or Model S, it is possible to swipe a credit card-type device, plug in the electric vehicle, and sit for a while or go home. When the charging is complete, a notification is made via cell phone or e-mail.
Such a charge would be about $3.75 to pack the batteries with an extra 30 percent range, according to John O
Sullivan.
Avalon Council President Dr. Nancy Hudanich spoke of leading the way toward a greener lifestyle during a brief introductory ceremony, recorded by a bevy of Philadelphia television station cameras and other media.
David Soens, an Avalon native, managing partner of U-Go Stations noted the technology is not futuristic, but rather, is in use today, motioning to the charging station behind him at the curb in front of the Avalon Public Safety Building, 30th Street and Dune Drive.
After Hudanich snipped a large green ribbon that decorated the Chevrolet Volt from Burke Motor Group, Court House, John O’Sullivan of U-Go Stations demonstrated how a driver would self-service the charging device.
As electric cars gain popularity, it is expected that a proliferation of such electric charging stations will be commonplace in every town and rest stop on major highways.
Adjacent to the Volt was a full-size VIA pickup truck, an extended range vehicle on loan from Pacific Gas and Electric in San Francisco, Calif., according to David W. West, of the Orem City, Utah-based firm.
The four-wheel drive truck is built on a Suburban chassis, West said. It plugs into house current, or a public charging station. There is an on-board generator that, in emergency, would allow a limited number of household devices to be plugged into the truck.
Priced about $65,000, West said the electric trucks are being offered to fleets for “beta testing.” That will place about 30 of the trucks on the nation’s roads, with about 20 being tested at the U.S. Department of Energy. That testing will “validate the fuel savings,” said West.
Avalon made an inquiry about one of the trucks, West said. He said it may take about $1.50 to charge, and if an owner had a special “EV Rate” from their utility company, that rate would possibly make charging 10 cents per kilowatt house, or about $3 for a full charge. He said such users often charge their vehicles during off-peak hours, or overnight, when there are fewer requirements for electricity on the grid.
Higher initial cost of the truck can be offset by lower fuel costs. He also said that longer leases on the trucks are available.
Avalon’s charging station cost the borough nothing, according to a release.
It resulted from a public-private partnership with U-Go Stations, Inc. of Philadelphia.
The borough placed the public charging station to bid earlier this year. U-Go Stations, Inc. was the successful bidder. In return for allowing the charging station on its street, the borough will get a percentage of the proceeds generated by the charging station.
IN a release, Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi noted that electric vehicle owners visiting the shore “do not necessarily have the ability to recharge their vehicle during their vacations. This public charging station will bring car owners to Avalon to not only recharge their vehicles but to also enjoy everything our community has to offer. There is no risk, high reward initiative to Avalon,” the mayor stated.
The EV owner will use a special “smart card” or credit card to unlock and activate the service. The owner will pay for the power used, and will receive a text or email notification when charging is completed.
The station will be available 24 hours a day to the public. The device is safe, even in inclement weather. Before charging takes place, the on-board vehicle computer makes checks ensuring safety.
A borough release cited “independent studies that show within nine years, electric vehicles and related “green” vehicles will account for a third of the world’s vehicle fleet.” Within four years, there will be nearly 1 million electric vehicles on the North American roads.
All major vehicle manufacturers are marketing plug-in vehicles to the motoring public.
Parts of this story were first published at capemaycountyherald.com
Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 Ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com