“If you mismanage your life you can run out of power, you can run out of gasoline,” Commissioner Dan Esty said in a moment of frankness with business owners considering installing electric vehicle charging stations.

“Range anxiety” — the fear that drivers will not reach their destinations because of an absence of charging stations — is not unlike the parking anxiety that some have. Both are relatively unfounded, but still demand responsiveness to alleviate those fears. In Hartford, for instance, it’s not unheard of for someone to question parking availability a year in advance of a visit; businesses respond by providing information about where customers can park. Part of what the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will be doing is creating a map showing all public charging stations in Connecticut. An existing map created by the Alternative Fuels Data Center indicates there are already nearly 80 public charging stations in state.

The DEEP says that 80% of charging actually happens at home,at night for the 500-plus pure and hybrid electric vehicles in Connecticut. The mindset about vehicle operation does need to change, Esty said. Instead of just filling the tank, the operator needs to get used to “topping off” the energy supply, which is where the public charging stations come in.

Currently, the DEEP is trying to sweeten the deal with business owners by offering financing opportunities and providing information about federal tax credits that would be available to them. For public entities, the DEEP is working on a grant program for municipalities. Public spaces that would fill “a hole in the map” would be given preference.

Once installed, business owners are being urged not to charge customers to charge up, at least not for the time being. An energy refill basically amounts to a dollar or two, making the paperwork to pass the expense along to the customer not worthwhile. In 3-5 years, when more electric vehicles are expected to be in use, the model might change. By 2025, 22% of vehicles delivered to be sold in Connecticut must produce zero-emissions. 

Demand for charging stations might be low now, but the DEEP is suggesting shopping and entertainment venues start planning ahead.

There will be another informational meeting on June 17th at 10am at the DEEP (79 Elm Street) for large employers interested in providing charging stations for their employees.