Stewart’s hopes to install car charging stations

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.» Stewart’s Shops hopes to install 100 auto charging stations for electric automobiles in the Capital Region. The plan needs to first be approved by the New York State Public Service Commission.

“When this was brought to our attention, we really do see the evolution of where the industry is going and really looking to create an opportunity for the electric car consumer,” said Maria D’Amelia of Stewart’s Shops. “We really see that we have locations that provide that kind of way to be able to serve our customers as they travel in short distances as the electric vehicles evolve and become more popular in the coming years.”

Sen. Jim Tedisco called for the state to approve the new Electric Vehicle Fast Charger Network (EVFCN) plan Wednesday in a letter.

“The Electric Vehicle Fast Charger Network has the potential to be a game changer to fast charge the use of electric vehicles in Upstate New York and encourage clean and green energy consumption that will reduce costs for consumers and help our environment,” said Tedisco in a release. “Best of all, this plan is powered by clean energy and won’t cost taxpayers a dime.”

The stations would be supplied by remote net metering from the Mechanicville HyrdoElectric Plant.

If approved by the New York State Public Service Commission, the project would become the largest EVFCN in the United States, according to Tedisco’s press release.

According to Tedisco’s letter, Albany Engineering Corporation (AEC) proposed the idea.

Tedisco is a member of the New York State Senate Environmental Conservation Committee.

“We certainly have a sensitivity to our environment and really an energy sensitivity,” said Maria D’Amelia, a Stewart’s spokesperson. “We’ve had previous projects involving solar. We had panels installed on our plant in 2013 and last year we were involved in a remote net metering project in Halfmoon that’s offsetting power at 17 of our shops.”

D’Amelia said it would be a gradual roll out.

“We would expect maybe 18 to 20 in the first year of the project,” she said.

The charging stations would be in areas such as Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls, Lake George and Hudson.