Aspinwall officials considering EV charging stations
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Electronic vehicle charging stations could be coming to Aspinwall.
Borough officials are exploring the installation of three stations each capable of charging two vehicles.
They would be provided through Duquesne Light’s Community Charging Program. The three stations is a minimum program requirement.
The six parking spaces needed for the three stations would be in the parking lot across from the borough building along Commercial Avenue.
Borough Manager Melissa O’Malley said there has been one meeting with company officials so far, and the effort is a work in progress.
She credited council Vice President Lara Voytko with spearheading the project.
“Many residents do not have access to home charging stations, and it would be an added perk for patrons of our business district,” Voytko said via email.
“The project originally fell under the environmental services committee purview. However, after further research, it seemed to be more of an infrastructure project,” she wrote.
“The infrastructure committee took over mid-summer. We are still gathering estimates for the charging stations as required by Duquesne Light’s Community Charging Program.
“Under the program, Duquesne Light builds any infrastructure needed from the power source to the charging stations. Aspinwall is responsible for installing and maintaining the charging stations s.”
Voytko said EV charging stations were among the public responses in the comprehensive plan survey.
It’s unclear when the stations would be installed and how much users will have to pay to charge a vehicle.
The EV stations would also serve as regular parking spaces.
“There will be a charge to park in the space, itself, as well as a fee to use the charger,” Voytko said. “We are still working out specifics, but envision the spaces being used on a first-come, first-served basis with a time limit — regardless of whether the car is parked for charging or not.
“We will monitor how things work out once installed and adjust as needed. The timeline for installation is roughly six months, but may be adjusted … as the project moves forward.”
Council President Tim McLaughlin said having the stations would be a boon for the borough.
“We wanted to provide a convenient resource for our residents who own EVs but don’t have access to a home charging station,” he said. “Secondly, we saw it as an opportunity to attract more shoppers to our businesses, as having EV charging stations would be an added perk for the business community.”
O’Hara officials recently installed two new EV charging stations in O’Hara Township Community Park, increasing the total to three EV stations in the public park.
The stations were paid for, in part, by a $21,000 grant from the state through Driving PA Forward through the Department of Environmental Protection.
Oakmont installed EV stations in Riverside Park’s Third Street lot in January.