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Bedford Pursues Electric Car Charging Stations for Public Use

Exact locations have yet to be determined, but the machines would likely be in the area of retail shops and the train station.

If the Town of Bedford is awarded six electric car charging stations, which officials are applying for via a private company, installation could come as soon as early spring.

Staff members are in the midst of putting together a final application, Mark Thielking, Bedford's director of energy resources, said earlier this month. It will be submitted to ChargePoint, an international network of independently-owned charging stations.

"We're hopeful," he told Patch, adding that the selection process is first-come, first-served.

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Other municipalities and private agencies are also applying for the machines. Valued at between $5,000 and $7,000 each, officials say, they would be provided for free under an agreement with the California-based company. If Bedford received any of the stations, the town would be responsible for installation and service costs.

The former—which could cost up to $4,000 per station, and may prompt officials to finance with bonds—depends on two things: who does the work and whether there is an already established electrical source nearby.

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Thielking said it's possible that town employees would do the setup to save money. They are in the process of doing so now with a station meant for use by parking enforcement officers. That department uses two electric cars, both 2012 Nissan Leaf models.

It's likely that the machines would be placed near shopping districts and/or the train station, but exact locations have yet to be determined.

No electricity at a site would bump up the cost, he added. So officials may weigh the price of installation at an ideal location with no electricity, versus a less-ideal spot with electricity already established.

Thielking foresees minimal maintenance costs. The company charges a yearly fee for each of the two ports on the station. They would be covered by money brought in by motorists, who will pay for the electricity they use.


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