Electric vehicle charging has arrived in Rutland with Green Mountain Power (GMP) unveiling its new charging station at the corner of West and Cottage streets. The facility features two charging options:

• Fast charger: Delivers 80% battery charge in 25 minutes, or enough power for 35 miles in 15 minutes
• Standard charger: Provides enough charge for 24 miles in one hour

The station is part of NRG EVgo's network of 12 charging stations being built across Vermont. Drivers can pay per charge or purchase network memberships for regular use.

Vermont currently has 891 registered electric vehicles, with numbers expected to increase as local dealerships Formula Ford and Alderman's Toyota begin selling EVs. A third dealership is planned to join soon.

NRG strategically chose downtown locations for charging stations to allow drivers to shop and explore while their vehicles charge. The company worked with GMP using traffic data to optimize station placement throughout the state.

Mayor Christopher Louras praised the initiative, noting that GMP and NRG are addressing the "chicken-and-egg" challenge of EV adoption - consumers hesitate to buy electric vehicles without charging infrastructure, while companies typically wait for established customer bases before building networks.

GMP is further promoting EV adoption by:

• Partnering with dealers to offer electric vehicles in smart home packages
• Including charging network memberships with vehicle purchases
• Supporting the expansion of charging infrastructure across Vermont

This charging station represents an important step in Vermont's transition to sustainable transportation, providing essential infrastructure for the growing electric vehicle market.

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