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HCE members now have more options to choose from when charging their electric vehicles (EVs). New fast charging stations installed over the summer in Edwards, Eagle, Gypsum, Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, and Basalt not only charge your car, but also contribute to the long-term health of the community by providing access to lower-cost clean energy resources. The fast charging stations also allow HCE members without the ability to charge at home the opportunity to quickly charge their EV’s.
“We value that community chargers also provide a fueling station for multi-family dwellings where members may not have assigned parking,” says Chris Bilby, HCE research and programs engineer. “That is one of the many reasons we have engaged with our community partners on these efforts.”
As part of HCE’s Community Charging program, HCE helps offset the costs associated with transformer upgrades and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) for counties, municipalities, and organizations wishing to install EV fast charging infrastructure.
This new fast charging network spreads throughout HCE’s service territory and can charge most EV’s up to 80 percent capacity in just 20 to 30 minutes. HCE worked with community partners to strategically place them across the service territory to provide fast charging for HCE members and visitors alike. Locations were selected based on infrastructure costs and the ability to use an existing transformer to get power to the stations.
Level 3 fast charging station in Carbondale on Cowen Drive
Level 3 fast charging station in Basalt next to town hall
Level 3 fast charging station at Riverwalk in Edwards
With assistance from RFTA and HCE, The Town of Carbondale installed a ChargePoint Express 250 fast charger to provide a quick charging option for EV travelers on the Highway 82 corridor and also provides a charging location for EV drivers heading south on scenic byway 133. The new charger is located on Cowen Drive between the Days Inn and Comfort Inn & Suites.
According to Kevin Schorzman, public works director for the Town of Carbondale, the charger has been used almost 75 times since coming online in late May.
Further up valley in Basalt, a fast charging station is now located next to town hall.
In the Eagle River Valley, the towns of Vail and Avon are installing a fast chargers which will be online later this fall.
To add to the current fast charging station at the Eagle Park-n-Ride, Eagle County has installed two fast charging stations at the Eagle County Airport and another at its maintenance service center/park and ride in Gypsum to further assist in future transit charging.
As part of their Climate Action Plan to reduce their C02 emissions by 80% by 2050, Eagle County plans to continue pushing for EV infrastructure.
“EV charging and also the broader picture of electric vehicle adoption is the big nut to crack,” says John Gitchell, environmental manager for Eagle County. “We’re pushing more rapid adoption of electric vehicles and have been working with the Climate Action Collaborative to do climate modeling. We asked what were some of the bigger things we could deal with. EV adoption is our number one strategy.”
Interested in working with us on EV infrastructure upgrades? HCE would like to support local community partners in their efforts to install EV fast charging infrastructure. We’ve developed an EV charging roadmap with Garfield, Pitkin and Eagle counties to help distribute Colorado Energy Offices funds for charging stations. Learn more at holycross.com/community-charging.
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