Village Plugs New Electric Charging Station

The first electric vehicle charging station to be installed in Glen Ellyn is now ready for use.

The Village of Glen Ellyn announced Wednesday the charging station, located in the southeast corner of the parking lot at Crescent and Glenwood, is now operational.

Glen Ellyn Patch reported earlier this month that the station would be installed and free to use.

A grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity paid for half of the cost to acquire and install the charging station, according to the village. The total cost was expected to be $7,500.

The village hopes the initiative will help drive economic development in the community, Village Manager Mark Franz said in a news release. 

“The village joins a short list of municipalities that have become leading pioneers in promoting green energy,” Franz said. “And, hopefully it will encourage residents and commuters to visit Glen Ellyn this holiday season.”

Not many municipalities offer electric car charging, Public Works Director Julius Hansen has said. In June 2012, there were roughly 8,000 public charging stations throughout the United States, with 2,000 found in California, according to Wikipedia. 

The number of residents who own electric cars was uncertain, Hansen said. The expectation is that once the village puts the charger in electric vehicle owners will begin to take advantage of the opportunity.

“It will make it more convenient for people to use their car,” Hansen said.

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