Eight EV Charging Stations Open At Eldredge Garage

CHATHAM – With the opening of eight new charging stations at the Eldredge Garage, the town now has the most public electric vehicle chargers east of Hyannis.

 Eight new EV charging stations at the Eldredge Garage parking area went online last week. Four are Level 2 chargers, while four are DC fast-charging Level 3 stations.

 The new chargers represent a “significant step” toward the town’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, Town Manager Jill Goldsmith said in a statement. 

“By making it easier for everyone to own and operate EVs, we can help to reduce the number of traditional gasoline-powered vehicles on our roads, which will result in cleaner air and a healthier environment for all of us,” she said. 
 EV charging stations were always part of the concept for the redevelopment of the town-owned property at the east end of Main Street developed by the Eldredge Garage planning committee. Initially, plans for reconstruction of the parking area developed by Catalyst Architects and Coastal Engineering included only Level 2 chargers, said Community Development Director Kathleen Donovan. The Level 3 chargers were added at the request of the planning board.

Perhaps the best part of the project — especially for non-EV owners — is that no taxpayer funds went toward the charging stations. 

The total cost for the Level 3 chargers, including site work, was $319,363; with Eversource rebates and state and federal tax credits and incentives, the cost to the town was $63,564. The Level 2 chargers and site work cost $130,078, with the town paying $59,020 after incentives and rebates. The town covered its share with American Rescue Plan Act funds as well as reimbursement grants.

The chargers will eventually bring in revenue as well, Donovan said. How much remains uncertain.

“I think we’re going to have to live through a summer season, maybe the whole year, to see what kind of income it generates,” she said.

The charging stations, which are manufactured and operated by FLO, charge 52 cents per kilowatt hour for Level 2 and 62 cents per kilowatt hour for Level 3 charging. The only other public Level 3 charging station in town, located at Cape Associates at 782 Main St. and operated by ChargePoint, charges 50 cents per kilowatt hour. Level 2 chargers are located at Chatham Bars Inn but are for inn guests only.

During the season, Chatham Valet operates the Eldredge Garage lot, charging $8 for two hours and $15 for all-day parking. Vehicles with Chatham resident stickers park for free. Donovan said non-resident EV owners do not have to pay the fee if they are only stopping to charge their vehicle, but would have to pay if staying beyond a certain time.

 The Level 2 chargers have CCS connectors, while the Level 3 chargers have both CCS and CHAdeMO connectors (EV owners will understand). Tesla owners will require an adapter to use the stations.

The town worked on the project with consultant Rivermoor Energy as well as Weston and Sampson, Coastal Engineering, Eversource and FLO.

This article has been changed to correct an error.