Montezuma County has installed an electric vehicle charger at the county annex parking lot, 117 N. Chestnut St.
The public station can charge up two vehicles at a time, and accepts a credit card for payment.
Users can also access a phone-based app that allows drivers to create an account, review their charging session details, choose payment options or locate another charging station.
The charging station is equipped with a user-friendly touch screen, and is ADA compliant.
It will charge at 7.2 kW, which gives vehicle owners about 25 miles for each hour of charging. Charging is free for the first four hours and $4 per hour after that.
The $13,000 unit was purchased by the county, with $9,000 covered by a grant from Charge Ahead Colorado.
“The project is not a moneymaking venture for the county but rather a service to residents and tourists,” stated Vicki Shaffer, county public information officer. “Customers only pay for the actual cost of the electricity provided.”
Several sites for the charger were discussed, said county Administrator Shak Powers, and the final location was chosen by county commissioners because of its proximity to local businesses.
The centralized location gives customers the opportunity to visit downtown businesses and restaurants while their vehicle charges, he said.
The project was originally slated to be complete in June 2020 but was postponed when manufacturing slowed during the COVID-19 crisis. Cortez Electric Inc. completed the installation.
The county annex station is one of three electric vehicle charging stations in Montezuma County. The others are at the Cortez Welcome Center, 928 E. Main St. in Cortez and at Boyle Park, 150 Grand Ave. in Mancos.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
