Electric cars are gaining popularity, and the City of Williamsburg is getting involved with the future of transportation.
The city has partnered with Tesla and a company named Go Green to install Tesla and universal car charging stations throughout Williamsburg.
City spokeswoman Lee Ann Hartmann said two Tesla stations and one universal station will be installed at Kiwanis Park, Quarterpath Recreation Center and Parking Terrace off North Boundary Street.
Two Tesla charging stations will also be installed in the Prince George Parking Garage, which already has two universal stations.
Work has yet to start, but Hartmann said installation and operation of the charging stations is anticipated to be complete by spring this year.
The new stations will appear on the charging map in Tesla vehicles.
“As Tesla owners are planning trips, Williamsburg will now show up on their maps as a destination to stop and recharge their cars,” Hartmann said.
According to ChargeHub, there are electric car charging stations at Kingsmill, DoubleTree Williamsburg, Best Western Williamsburg, Williamsburg Lodge and on Courthouse Street in New Town.
The new charging station equipment should come at no cost to the city through the partnership with Tesla.
Hartmann said Tesla is “donating” the Tesla II chargers, and replace them for free if they are damaged or broken.
The cost to install the chargers is variable, but Tesla will also cover installation fees up to $1,500 per charger.
The cost to supply electricity to the Telsa chargers will cost the city between $1 and $1.50 per hour, which is based on Tesla’s estimation for per-hour usage on a 100-amp circuit.
Hartmann said up to four cars can be plugged in to one 100-amp circuit, meaning four cars can charge for an hour and cost the city only $1 to $1.50.
The installation of the universal chargers is also being covered up to $1,500 by Tesla, although those cost slightly more to run — about 75 cents for a single car to charge for an hour.
The city is not able to charge people to use the chargers, but can monitor how often they’re being used.
