Electric car charger coming to Plainfield

Electric car charger coming to Plainfield

PLAINFIELD — Pretty soon, you'll be able to charge your electric car in Plainfield.

At its regular meeting Monday night, the Select Board heard from Bob Atchinson, the town's energy coordinator, who presented his plan for installing a charger near the kiosk on Mill Street in the village.

To help offset its municipal energy costs, Plainfield recently installed a solar array near the park and ride lot off Main Street with the help of a $9,900 grant from the Renewable Energy Resource Center. According to board member David Strong, that grant came with an incentive: If the town installed a charging station for electric vehicles, it would receive an additional $1,000 to help cover the cost.

Atchinson estimates the charging station will cost $1,780. The difference of $780 would be paid from the energy coordinator's budget

Of the $1,780, about $600 would be for the charger itself and $550 would pay for connecting the charger to the electric grid. Miscellan eous electrical supplies are estimated to cost $264, while $250 would cover excavation.

Board Chairman Bram Towbin said the charger would be a "big boost" for bringing people to town where they would patronize local businesses. Noting there are no charging stations in the Plainfield area, Towbin is hopeful the town could become a preferred destination for drivers of electric vehicles.

According to PlugShare.com, an online database of charging stations across the country, central Vermont has stations in Barre, Montpelier, Middlesex, Waterbury, Waitsfield, Stowe, Hardwick and Danville. But there are no listed charging stations in Cabot, East Montpelier, Calais, Plainfield or Marshfield.

Atchinson told the board that in lieu of charging people to use the station, there would be a cash box with a slot for voluntary payments. He said those who use the station could look at a chart that will show how much electricity they have used, with a suggested amount.

Tow bin acknowledged some people won't pay anything, but said that won't be a big concern. During the hour or two when the vehicle is charging, the car's driver and passengers presumably will spend their time patronizing one or more of the businesses in town.

Board members approved the project. Atchinson said the plan is to break ground sometime in the next couple of weeks with a goal of having the station up and running later this fall.

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