New Electric Vehicle Charging Station Added in Downtown

A new public electric vehicle (EV) charging station has been installed in the Victoria Place parking lot located at 66 S St. Clair Street in downtown Painesville. The EV charging station is the result of a collaboration between the City of Painesville and the Lake County Commissioners’ Office to go after available state funds for new zero emission vehicle infrastructure.
 
The new charging station is a Level 2 charger (220 volt / 7 KW) and compatible with all EV models currently on the market, including Tesla models. For a $2 entrance fee into the parking lot, electric vehicle users can park in the available spaces and charge for free. A Level 2 charger is the most common and efficient charging option for those plugging in at a workplace, retail area or parking structure, as it takes a few hours to fully charge.
 
“The Commissioners’ Office is excited to partner with the City of Painesville on this EV charging station project in the downtown area,” said John Hamercheck, President of the Lake County Board of Commissioners. “I believe this project, along with Laketran’s plans to deploy zero emission electric buses, promotes our commitment to sustainability and will help position the downtown area to attract and retain a modern workforce moving forward. The County enjoys being one of the largest employers in the City and looks forward to continuing the collaborative relationship into the future.”
 
Funding for the EV charging station project was part of the Volkswagon Clean Air Act Settlement of 2017, with the State of Ohio receiving $11.3 million in funding for zero emission vehicle infrastructure (EV and hydrogen). The Ohio EPA was tasked with distributing this funding to eligible communities with high traffic public locations like town squares, downtowns, malls and sports venues. Painesville was selected as a recipient site in Lake County.
 
“The electric charging option is a great amenity to offer our downtown workforce and anyone looking to spend some time in the Square or Main Street area while charging their vehicle,” said Doug Lewis, Painesville City Manager. “Painesville is looking to the future and we want to be at the forefront of offering sustainable options to our residents and workforce. We greatly appreciate the partnership that we have with the Lake County Commissioners and NOACA in making this project possible.”