GMP to install public charging stations for electric cars

Green Mountain Power has announced plans to install three public charging stations for electric cars in 2011. The charging stations will use state of the art technology, powered by the sun and will be ready for public use by spring 2011.
"Electric vehicles are part of Vermont's energy future," says Mary Powell, President and CEO of Green Mountain Power. "Transportation currently represents a significant percent of Vermont's carbon emissions and electric vehicles need to be part of a cost-effective strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. These new charging stations will help highlight the environmental benefits of fueling more vehicles with electricity." As part of the project, the company plans to install solar panels to produce renewable energy equal to the amount used by each charging station.
"One of the barriers to switching to all-electric vehicles is the concern about finding a place to charge up away from home," says Powell. "GMP is installing these charging stations to help jump start the development of the infrastructure needed to make electric vehicles convenient to operate."
The locations of the charging stations have not yet been confirmed. Green Mountain Power is considering populated locations with easy access and high visibility in Chittenden, Washington and Addison counties.
Each charging station will have two chargers. The Level One charger will use 110 volt household current, and will be compatible with hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Prius that have been converted to "plug-in" technology. The Level Two charger will use 220-240 current, and will be compatible with the new electric vehicles entering the market, such as the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf.
Meanwhile, Central Vermont Public Service stated it has two solar-powered charging stations already in use for its own electric-hybrid vehicles, one complete and one under construction.
The first one is directly behind its headquarters on Grove Street in Rutland, which has been up and running for several months. The second is under construction in the parking area at CVPS' solar project on Route 7 in Rutland Town. It added one set of new panels there specifically to charge CVPS vehicles, but the final electrical work has not been completed. CVPS currently owns four hybrid-electric vehicles. CVPS stated it is in the planning process for setting up commercial recharging sites.
Source: COLCHESTER, VT--(Marketwire - December 29, 2010) - Green Mountain Power. CVPS.