The two DC fast charging stations on the Woodstock side of the Bridgewater Mill are now live. Photo by TRORC.
Two DC fast charging stations, each with two CCS ports, have been installed in the parking lot outside Woolly Mammoth Cannabis, on the Woodstock side of the Bridgewater Mill. Just in time for ski season, these are now the only fast chargers anywhere on the Route 4 corridor for a 30-mile stretch. Drivers can now stop and peruse the businesses in the Bridgewater Mill while charging their cars.
DC fast chargers, also known as “level three” chargers, are the quickest way to charge an EV. Fast chargers must be capable of providing at least 50kw of power output; the new units at the Bridgewater Mill are rated for 60kw. This means they can take a typical EV battery from near empty to 80% full in anywhere from 15-40 minutes, depending on the size of the battery, temperature, and other factors. Fast chargers are typically used for long-distance EV travel because of this short charge time; drivers can pop into a store to grab a snack or browse while their car is charging. This means that fast chargers pair well with local businesses.
These chargers are the happy result of a grant written by Harry Falconer, Woodstock’s Shared Energy Coordinator (SEC). The SEC is housed at the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) and serves the Towns of Bradford, Norwich, Sharon, Strafford, Thetford, Fairlee, and Woodstock. Each town appoints a representative to the SEC steering committee, which guides the SEC’s focus. Sustainable Woodstock’s Executive Director Jenevra Wetmore serves on the committee for the Town of Woodstock. The goals of the program are to lessen overall energy use, lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and move to renewable generation of electricity, all while seeking long-term cost savings.
Electric vehicles generate less than 30% as many carbon emissions as comparable gas-powered cars over their lifetime, according to Drive Electric VT. In 2022, transportation was the highest emitting sector in Vermont, accounting for 40% of Vermont’s Greenhouse gas emissions. This means that it is essential to cut emissions from our transportation sector. Switching to electric can also help consumers–the lower fuel costs of EVs typically result in $6,000-$10,000 lower lifetime costs as compared to gas vehicles, even without any EV incentives.
The chargers were installed at no cost to the Town of Woodstock. The SEC secured this grant from the ChargeVermont program in July 2024. The total project cost was around $179,000, of which the grant provided $143,000 and a GMP incentive rebate provided another $20,000. NorwichEV installed the chargers this November. The stations are now listed on Plugshare, the most popular third-party EV charging app.