Sewickley to install new EV stations by next spring with help from Duquesne Light
Sewickley officials plan to bolster the borough’s sustainability efforts with the borough’s first EV stations.
Council unanimously voted May 14 to authorize Borough Manager Donna Kaib to submit paperwork to Duquesne Light seeking a $40,000 investment through the electric company’s Community Charging Program.
The plan is to have three stations and five ports.
Total project cost is estimated at about $72,000.
The borough worked with Duquesne Light in finding a suitable location for the stations.
The Division Street parking lot behind the Caliente Pizza & Draft House and neighboring businesses between Beaver and School streets was determined to be the most favorable location.
Kaib said Sewickley will be seeking other grants and rebates to help offset project costs.
“We’re in the beginning stages,” she said. “Besides to help promote sustainability, electric vehicles are becoming vastly more popular. Sewickley wants to make sure that we can meet the needs for our residents and those that visit the borough.”
According to a report from the International Energy Agency’s Global EV Outlook, electric car sales are expected to reach 17 million this year with projections of one in five vehicles on the road to be electric in both the United States and European Union.
Duquesne Light is expected to design and build the electric infrastructure from the power grid to the charging stations. It will also provide technical assistance.
“The borough is required to purchase and maintain the stations,” Kaib said. “Once the contract is accepted, the timeline (to construct and install the stations) will then be discussed with Duquesne Light.”
Council President Cynthia Mullins said having EV stations will be a win for the borough and the environment.
“As a community, we are trying to help promote sustainability and resilience to climate change,” she said. “That fits in with that objective.”
Borough officials anticipate having the stations ready by next spring.
Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at mdivittorio@triblive.com.
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