Old Orchard Beach installing charging station for new town cars

OLD ORCHARD BEACH — The town is entering a free, three-year lease for two electric cars – a Hyundai Kona and a Hyundai Ioniq.

The lease program is being offered through a partnership with Hyundai and the federal government, said Town Manager Larry Mead at Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting. The lease is free as long as the vehicles are used less than 10,000 miles annually. If the vehicles are used more than this, there will be a $50 a month charge, said Mead.

The cars have a driving range of 200 miles on one charge, said Mead. The cars will be used by town employees during work hours.

“They are very practical for a town like Old Orchard Beach that doesn’t have a very large geographical footprint,” said Mead.

The cars will be charged overnight to allow enough time to be fully charged while they are not in use. The town is be responsible for insurance, and the lease covers any required maintenance, said Mead.

Charging Stations 

Revision Energy will install two charging stations in staff parking behind town hall. Each station will have two ports. Should the town acquire more electric cars in the future, the stations will be able to charge four cars total.

The town is receiving $16,000 for the project through Central Maine Power’s Make-Ready Grant Program. The remaining $8,800 will be paid for by town funds, the approval of which was made at Tuesday night's Council meeting with a unanimous Council vote. 

These charging stations will be used for town vehicles only. Mead said the town will also consider at a later date approving the installation of pay charging stations for use by the general public on First Street near the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce building. Council Chairman Shawn O’Neill said he would also like to see in the future charging stations at the town’s metered parking lots.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.