Electric Car Chargers and Amping Up the Numbers High Traffic Locations Could Translate Into Higher Usage
Kingston, NY (May 5, 2016) – Ulster County took a huge leap into the future in 2015 by installing nine electric vehicle charging stations on county-owned properties and facilities at a total cost of $94,950.00. The environmental benefit was undeniable but County officials went on record to say that “the electric charging stations in the County’s public parking spaces…even in its early stages, promoted tourism with the County.” Unfortunately the sluggish embrace of electric vehicles as well as the isolated placement of several of the charging stations may have impactedtheuse.
In 2015 electric and hybrid vehicles have only accounted for 2% of all cars indicating that the future remains uncertain. According to a report issued by NYDATABASES.COM and the Journal News, New York State had only 6,457 electric vehicles registered with just 44 of them being registered in Ulster County which may explain the intermittent use of the charging stations.
Of the 534 unique charging sessions, 405 or 76% of the users were from Ulster County. The most popular locations were at the Ulster County Courthouse on Wall Street in Kingston and the Ulster County Office Building on Fair Street.
Of the hundreds sessions reported since the inception of the program in mid-2015, more remote locations have been under utilized with only one use reported at the Ulster County Law Enforcement Center and seven sessions were reported at the Ulster County Health Department.
Comptroller Elliott Auerbach noted that “more convenient charging locations throughout the County may increase future activity.”
The report can be found at www.youreyesonulster.comor at the link.
