EV stations still under construction in Aspinwall

People seeking a place to charge their electric vehicles in Aspinwall will have to wait a little longer.

Three charging stations, each capable of servicing two vehicles, are being installed in the borough parking lot along Commercial Avenue. They’re located on the side closest to Jiffy Lube.

It’s part of a project in partnership with Duquesne Light.

The utility company would provide the infrastructure needed to run the machines, which the borough would purchase and monitor.

The stations originally were expected to be energized by the end of June.

However, storms and limited transformer power have forced several delays. The new target date is July 29.

Lara Voytko, councilwoman and infrastructure committee chair, addressed the project during a meeting July 10.

She said Duquesne Light has to upgrade a transformer along Freeport Road to provide more energy to the stations.

The borough also has to integrate the Flo software used by the devices to help provide and track chargings.

“This isn’t to make money. This is to provide a service,” Voytko said. “Not a profit, not a loss. … There will be a time restriction on being able to park there whether you’re charging or not.”

The charging spaces still will be treated as regular parking spots.

That means motorists still will have to put money in the borough parking meters. And gas-powered vehicles can continue to park there.

“That was one of the concerns the community brought up,” Voytko said. “They didn’t want to lose parking spaces, but there was a demand to have an option for charging in town. It’s first come, first served.

“Obviously, we hope that if there are other parking spaces available and you don’t need to use the charger, you don’t park there. … That’s how we are today. It may be revised as we see how they’re used, and we may add more if we need to. Definitely the world is evolving as far as vehicles (are concerned).”

The amount of restricted time and cost of charging have yet to be finalized.

Duquesne Light and borough public works crews have been working on the site the past several weeks.

Borough Manager Melissa Lang O’Malley said at least one person already has tried to use the stations, requiring caution tape and a “under construction” sign to be taped on the devices to let drivers know they were not ready to be turned on.

Estimated cost for the project was $27,000.

O’Malley said there would be no additional costs to the borough as a result of the delays.