Plug-In Sites - EV charging from a driver's perspective.

Montgomery County Updates EV Charging Signs

August 27, 2017August 27, 2017 Lanny

Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Division of Parking (MCDOT), which manages the operation and enforcement of Electric Vehicle charging stations in all County owned and operated public parking facilities, has changed the signs at their EV charging stations to clearly state that the spots are for charging. The new signs are in response to customer feedback that electric vehicles were parking in the spaces and not actually plugging in and charging.

The previous signs stated, “No Parking Except Electric Vehicles” which may not have communicated clearly enough for some that the spots are intended for using the charging station and not just for parking an EV. Read More …

Breezewood, PA Supercharger is Officially Open

August 25, 2017February 18, 2021 Lanny

The Tesla Supercharger in Breezewood, Pennsylvania is open. The eight-stall Supercharger station is located at a Sheetz convenience store on the Lincoln Highway (Rt. 30) near the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-70.

Construction was reported by PlugInSites on May 29th when we spotted the Tesla equipment and excavation at the site. Breezewood is a welcome addition to the Tesla charging network and fills a gap between the six-stall Somerset Supercharger and the Harrisburg Supercharger. It also helps enable north-south travel in Pennsylvania towards the State College area. Read More …

‪Tesla Supercharger Coming to Martinsburg, WV‬

August 18, 2017 Lanny

Last night I got a text from my friend, Rick Rohn, saying that he had found a Tesla Supercharger in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Wait a minute, the Tesla Find Us page has nothing "coming soon" marked anywhere near there.

Rick is an awesome EV advocate and has helped expand the charging infrastructure in the eastern panhandle of the Mountaineer State. Rick and his wife Stacie are also long distance EV adventurers who travel in their Kia Soul EV and before that, a Nissan LEAF. Rick can practically smell a new EV charging station being installed. This one snuck by him until it was brought to his attention by a friend on Facebook. What's even more amazing is that this Supercharger was being built across the street from his shop. Rick had a great sense of humor about this one escaping his detection, saying, "I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, ha! ha!"

The under construction Martinsburg Supercharger is at Sheetz #220, 1465 Edwin Miller Blvd, Martinsburg, WV 25401.

(photo by Rick Rohn)

EV Cruise & Grand Opening of Lewes, DE Charging Stations

August 2, 2017August 2, 2017 Lanny

Ribbon Cutting and EV Cruise on Monday, August 28, 2017 at 11:00 AM.

EV drivers are being invited to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony and short EV Cruise to officially open the Tesla and universal EV charging stations in Lewes, Delaware.

The tentative schedule for Monday, August 28, 2017:
11:00 Meet at charging stations at Lewes Board of Public Works facility at 225 Schley Avenue, Lewes, DE 19958.

11:15 Begin Electric Vehicle Cruise planned to loop through town and end at Otis Smith Park EV Charging Stations.

11:45 Assemble at Otis Smith Park, 454 E. Savannah Rd, Lewes, DE 19958.

12:00 Lewes Board of Public Works ribbon cutting with local, state, and national dignitaries. Local and regional media will also be there.
Read More …

Special Sign Needed to Enforce Rhode Island Anti-ICEing Law

July 23, 2017July 23, 2017 Lanny

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo signed an “anti-ICEing” bill into law on Tuesday, July 18, 2017. Bill H6302 prohibits a vehicle from occupying a specially designated parking space at an EV charging station unless it is connected to the charging equipment.

In order to be enforceable, the charging space must be indicated with a sign identifying it as an electric vehicle charging station only for electric vehicle charging along with an indication that it is subject to a parking violation. The law will be enforceable on public and private property as applicable but only where designated by signage meeting all the specified requirements.

The penalty is a fine of $85.00 and the law goes into effect immediately.

Rhode Islanders who want to see this law enforced should contact the property managers at EV charging station sites and ask them to post the required signs. It would be a good idea to suggest that the property manager consult with the local police department before ordering signs to ensure the content and design meet the required standards needed for enforcement of §31-21-18 of the General Laws of Rhode Island.
Read More …

Lewes, Delaware Opens Free Public Charging Stations

July 11, 2017July 11, 2017 Lanny

Four public electric vehicle charging stations opened in Lewes, Delaware on July 10, 2017. The city of Lewes teamed up with a private businessman to install the EV charging stations at two public parking areas in an effort to promote clean transportation and attract electric car drivers into town.

We happened to be traveling in the area when we got word that the stations had been turned on earlier in the day. Even though we were already 25 miles past the town driving toward home, we decided to make a U-turn and head to Lewes to check them out. One meter was still at zero and the other site only had 2 kWh registered when we plugged in. We decided to have dinner at the Pig and Publican restaurant which serves fantastic Belgian food. It is easy to walk the town from either charging location.

Paul Evalds, the owner of Avatar Instruments and a Tesla Model S driver, provided the charging stations and the Lewes Board of Public Works installed the equipment at an estimated cost of $6,000. The four charging stations are located in a city parking lot on Schley Ave. and at Otis Smith Park on Savannah Rd. Each location has one Tesla-specific charging connector and one universal charging connector that will fit any electric car. The stations will be free for the public to use, with the initial electricity cost covered by a grant from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

Now that we know that we can charge while we visit, we will certainly be going back soon to explore more of the town of Lewes.

@PlugInSites

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Australian Tesla Owners Club Outback Adventure

June 29, 2017June 29, 2017 Lanny

Do you have nerves of steel when it comes to range anxiety? Then the Tesla Owners Club of Australia has the trip for you. The group is planning a Meetup in the middle of Australia, 2,000 kilometers from the nearest Supercharger.

The club, which is part of the Tesla Owners Club program, will be displaying cars at the Alice Springs desertSMART Ecofair, August 11-13, 2017. Members willing to make the drive are advised to bring a variety of adapters for their Tesla charging cable for connecting at fairgrounds and road houses along the route.

Club members will drive from Sydney, Melbourne and other points and rendezvous in Adelaide, South Australia on August 8th to start the trek north to Alice Springs.

The announcement warns that the charging options are untested north of Port Augusta and it is about 2,500 km to Alice Springs and back with zero Tesla charging infrastructure.

*****Please bring your pioneering spirit!!*****

Given the nature of this event, you are responsible for all aspects of your own, and your vehicle’s welfare and on this trip.

More info: Alice Springs MeetUp and EcoFair display.

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West Virginia Enacts $200 Annual Fee for Electric Vehicles

June 23, 2017June 23, 2017 Lanny

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice signed a road funding bill on Thursday that includes new fees on electric and hybrid vehicles. SB1006, which passed the legislature last week, will impose additional annual registration fees of $200 on all-electric vehicles and $100 on hybrids. The new law goes into effect on July 1, 2017.

A total of 111 all-electric and 328 plug-in hybrid vehicles have been sold in West Virginia since 2011 according to data from the Auto Alliance. Read More …

Tesla Model S is Five Years Old

June 22, 2017 Lanny

First Customer Deliveries Began on June 22, 2012
Five years ago today, Tesla delivered the first batch of Model S cars to about a dozen customers. The event was held at the Tesla Factory in Fremont, California and was streamed live. At the time, there were about 2,300 Tesla Roadsters on the road. Five years later, Tesla has sold over 100,000 Model S sedans and over 25,000 Model X SUVs. The first deliveries of Tesla’s Model 3 are scheduled to begin next month.

Here are some photos of the reception and viewing party held at the Washington, DC Tesla Store on K Street on the evening of those first Model S deliveries.

@Lanny

Pennsylvania Turnpike EV Charging Project Cancelled

June 21, 2017June 21, 2017 Lanny

Plans to install electric vehicle charging stations at every travel plaza along the Pennsylvania Turnpike have been cancelled according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

In December, 2011, the DEP awarded a $1 million Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant to Car Charging Group, Inc. of Miami Beach, FL to help promote the market for electric vehicles. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission was to supply $500,000 of infrastructure support funds to help with the cost of transformers, electric lines, and meters. Car Charging Group pledged to match the $1 million grant to install electric vehicle charging equipment and services on the Turnpike.

Since 2014, Car Charging Group, which operates the Blink Network, has installed one CHAdeMO Fast Charger and one Level 2 charging station at five of the 17 service plazas along the Turnpike.

Click map for location details. orange=Fast Chargers & Level 2, grey=no charging station.

Earlier this year, Car Charging Group submitted a plan to complete the installation of charging stations at the remaining 12 service plazas starting April 3, 2017. The company stated their intention to complete the work by June 30, 2017 in accordance with the conditions of their contract. However, it became apparent that they were not going to be able to fulfill their obligations so Pennsylvania terminated the project with them. The unused grant funds have been liquidated into the Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund. Pennsylvania officials are now considering their options for supporting EV infrastructure along the Turnpike. There are no immediate plans in the works.

@PlugInSites