Things are getting charged up in Hyattsville.
The city now has six public electric car charging stations, according to a press release. Last week, the city added two Level 3 stations, awarded by the Electric Vehicle Institute in partnership with the Maryland Energy Administration. The new stations, which are located in the municipal building parking lot, can charge a vehicle enough to travel up to 180 miles in just one hour.
The city already had four public Level 2 stations installed, which are smaller and can charge a vehicle to go up to 25 miles in one hour. The Maryland Energy Administration funded the purchase of the first two Level 2 stations in 2017. Those funds also enabled the city to purchase an all-electric Chevrolet Bolt Compact Utility Vehicle, the first in the nation to be used as a fully-marked police patrol car, as well as an all-electric police motorcycle.
Two of the Level 2 stations are located in Public Parking Lot 2 off Hamilton Street, and the other two are located in Public Parking Lot 3 off Farragut Street. Currently, the city allows residents and visitors to use these Level 2 stations, as well as the new Level 3 stations, free of charge. Three additional Level 2 stations are housed in the garage of the city building exclusively for police use.
“These new stations are another recognition of the leadership demonstrated by the City of Hyattsville when it comes to environmental stewardship,” said Mayor Candace Hollingsworth. “We are grateful to the Electric Vehicle Institute, the Maryland Energy Administration, and the many clean energy and environmental enthusiasts of our community.”
Some of those enthusiasts will be participating in the city’s third annual Electric Vehicle Car Show, standing beside their own vehicles to answer questions. The event on Sept. 8 will take place in the municipal building parking lot from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and feature demonstrations of the Level 3 charging units. Organizers expect to have vehicles on display from Tesla, Chevy, Fiat, Ford, Honda, and more.