The Recorder – Greenfield upgrades electric vehicle charging station at Chapman/Davis lot

GREENFIELD — A new electric vehicle charging station has been installed at the parking lot between Chapman and Davis streets, replacing a nearly decade-only station.

The charging station will be up and running hopefully within the next two weeks, according to Carole Collins, the city’s director of energy and sustainability. The station was awarded to the city through a giveaway opportunity offered by Power Auctions, a provider of consulting and software development services for high-stakes online auctions.

“It’s an upgrade,” said Collins. “By having it, we’ll be able to provide a faster change than what was there.”

The new station is also associated with a phone application, which allows users to see whether it’s in use.

In total, there will be 12 vehicle charging stations in municipal lots, with others provided by local agencies and businesses, she said. Her department is looking to install a total of four stations at the new library and new fire station, both of which are being built on Main Street.

“It’s always been a priority for Greenfield to be a pioneer in energy and sustainability efforts across the commonwealth,” Collins said. “That’s why back in 2012 we installed the unit that was there; it was part of a state grant program. … (The state) was really concerned with people being afraid to adopt electric vehicle technology because of not having charging stations.”

Since that first installation, she said, the stations have “been in continuous use for pretty much the whole time they’ve been in service.”

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.