CRA explores electric charging stations for the South Cape
Although adding electric vehicle chargers to the South Cape was discussed as a need, Cape Redevelopment Agency commissioners were uncertain as to how many and what kind of charger would be the best fit.
Cape Coral City Council, sitting as the CRA governing board, first got an update on the devices Wednesday.
Michael Fischer, of Electron Charger, LCC., said they have been in the charger business for about four years now, distributing and installing 550 units across the United States between Indianapolis and Cape Coral from multi-family residential to parking garages downtown.
“In the charger world, there are three levels,” Fischer said.
Level one is a charger an individual receives when purchasing a car, which charges a car in a day. Level two is 208 to 220 volts and can charge a car from four to six hours. Level three is the fastest charger with charging as fast as 20 minutes.
“You go up levels, you go up in prices,” Fischer said, adding that in most cases for city type uses, they look somewhere in the level two range. “At level two it is much more economical to bring in electrical service at 208, or 240 volts.”
Level twos come in a variety of different packages, mounting stands and cable management.
“(There are) options to keep neat, clean, and operational (cables) and keeping the maintenance down,” Fischer said.
The mounts can be back-to-back chargers, side-by-side, or individual chargers.
“It depends on where your vision is for what areas, who is using and how long using for,” Fischer said.
The city or CRA could purchase the chargers outright, purchasing with installation, or have a lease type of situation. With leasing the equipment, the manufacture would be responsible for maintenance.
“When we are talking about chargers and cost wise 80% is going to be installation of electrical and 20% hardware,” Fischer said.
Level two with a stand, could cost from $1,500 to $2,500 with a stand compared to a level three at $12,000 to $18,000 per unit.
Commissioner Robert Welsh, who has first-hand knowledge with electric vehicles, as he has owned one for almost four years, said he would suggest moving forward with a level three.
“I wouldn’t use a level-two charger aside from being at my house. Level two overnight charge, or my car is almost dead and need to get a quick 10 miles,” he said, adding that he would recommend a private-public partnership on level-three chargers.
Commissioner Dan Sheppard said the lifestyle is different when you have an electric vehicle.
“You are actually planning because of where to charge. The chargers are for the draw, draw travelers,” he said, adding that people may make a pit stop in downtown Cape Coral because there is a charger there.
There were many suggestions thrown out of possible locations, such as Founders Park, military museum and Club Square.
“We have a limited amount of parking spaces in the CRA and I kind of like the executive director’s idea of picking a location of a couple different places,” Commissioner John Gunter said, suggesting Founders Park as one of those locations.
Executive Director Michael Ilczyszyn, who also is Cape Coral’s city manager, told the commissioners when they are thinking about locations, try not to box into existing areas.
“We have a lot of opportunity. If you want to do this, we can find something that would fit without eliminating front door parking for businesses,” he said.
Ilczyszyn said in all of the GO Bond parks they have put in sub panels off the main two parking spaces but have not put in any chargers yet.
The commissioners also threw out ideas of starting off with two charging stations as a test run to see what kind of draw it may have, as well as looking into a P3.
“I support this too. Four would make sense,” Commissioner Jessica Cosden said. “I have no doubt it would be used. Having it near fun stuff is important.”
Gunter suggested they find out how many electric vehicles are registered in the city to see how many chargers may be needed.
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