Questions answered for Rehoboth charging stations

• The plug will be compatible will all electric vehicles sold in the U.S.
• Identifying electric vehicles should be easy for parking enforcers.
• Some parts of city law will need to be amended to allow the spaces.

The nuts and bolts of electric-vehicle charging stations to be put in downtown Rehoboth were discussed at a council meeting earlier this week.

In August, the Board of Commissioners voted to accept a state grant that allows for two charging spaces in downtown Rehoboth as part of a “Charging Up Delaware” initiative. As a major tourist destination, Rehoboth would be an ideal charging spot, officials said.

“Their goal is simply to get charging stations placed throughout the state, then if they’re used, they’re happy, and if usage increases they’re even happier,” Mills said.

The vote was split 5-2, with the argument electric-car stations are beneficial to the public and environmentally friendly on one side. On the other side, the city should not necessarily be responsible for charging someone’s car, just as they don’t pump gas, Mayor Sam Cooper said.

The spaces will be placed in a city lot outside of Henlopen Condominiums.

Mills’ presentation on Tuesday reviewed questions that arose at prior meetings, including the question of parking enforcement, and how to identify non-electric cars, which wouldn’t be allowed to park in the charging spaces.

Cars can typically be identified by make and model, Mills said.

“Most of them have readily identifiable names on there,” Mills said.

Additionally, Willett Kempton of the University of Delaware, who is organizing the charging program, suggested dedicating four spaces to the two charging stations, one for charging cars and one for cars waiting to charge. Kempton recommended a sign saying “two-hour time limit or until vehicle is fully charged,” while also denoting that the spots were for electric vehicles charging, or those waiting to charge.

As part of the grant, two signs will be provided, Mills said, and the city will have the say-so on design and placement.

“I’m not big on putting up other signs, again. I’m one who feels we should take down signs,” Cooper said.

The university will be responsible for the first year of maintenance, and commissioner Lorainne Zellers asked what the turnaround time would be should a malfunction take place.

“A.S.A.P.,” Mills said.

The grant includes the cost for the two stations, about $3,000, as well as the estimated cost for one year's electricity, paid in advance. After a one-year trial period Rehoboth can decide to discontinue to program. If they keep it, the city will begin paying the electric bill, but can recoup that loss by charging for the parking space.

Mills said the city would need to work on amending the laws to allow for the charging spaces and to define electric vehicles.

Details of the charging stations were also reviewed. The stations will be PowerPort models, manufactured by Millbank Manufacturing. The stations will be rated for 75 amps, and the plug type will be J1772, the standard in the United States, compatible with all electric vehicles sold in the country.

Additionally, the charging stations will be added to the Plug Share database in addition to the Alternative Fuel Data Center. Apps that allow drivers to find stations, such as Chargepoint, draw from those databases.