HYDE PARK – The town’s first electric vehicle (EV) charging station has been installed at the Albany Post Road entrance of the municipal parking lot at town hall, according to Supervisor Aileen Rohr. The charging station was paid for via a New York State Government Zero-Emission Vehicle/Clean Vehicle Infrastructure Grant.
The charging station will provide residents with the ability to charge their vehicles while at the post office, library, town hall, and other nearby attractions. The charging station shall be provided to EV users free of charge for the first two years of the program and will be available to the public around the clock, seven days a week.
Rohr said that “The EV station is an important addition to the Town’s already well-established reputation as a destination location for visitors and tourists.” Similar charging stations have been installed at the Dutchess County Office Building and a municipal lot in the City of Poughkeepsie.
While unable to assess the number of electric vehicles present in Hyde Park, Rohr said “The sale of hybrid and electric cars have steadily increased since their inception in 1999, with U.S. hybrid sales hitting 5,374,000 in 2019. Annual sales of electric vehicles are expected to exceed 3.5 million within 10 years.”
To celebrate the completion of the charging station’s installation, Town Supervisor Aileen Rohr will be hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 12 at 9 a.m. All members of the public are welcome to attend. However, in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic and Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order regarding large gatherings, there will be a limit of 50 attendees. All are required to practice social distancing and/or wear a proper facial covering. If you wish to attend, please contact Neil Krupnick at nkrupnick@hydeparkny.us.
