(Arnolds Park)– The Arnolds Park City Council Wednesday evening heard from a Sioux Falls business that wants to install an electric vehicle charging station in the city. Jackson Lounsberry of Recharge, a used electric vehicle dealership, said they want to put in a four-vehicle charging station at the parking lot under the Arnolds Park water tower…
“Once a year I’m looking to donate/install electric vehicle charging stations in the community in areas that need it most. After looking in our area of Sioux Falls, Brookings, northeast, southwest, everywhere, Arnolds Park was probably the number one spot that needed stations. There’s nothing really here for public use for people to use.”
He said it would be what’s classified as a “level 2” charging station…
“A level 2 would be anything that would be considered like overnight, 240 volts, anywhere from 20 amps to 60 amps typically. That level 2 will charge your car from 3 hours on the really fast end to 10 hours for a car that has a really big battery. The next level up would be level 3 charger. Those are like the Tesla super charging stations, they’re often 3rd party D.C. fast chargers. Those will charge a car in 20 to 45 minutes, so very fast. Those cost about a half million dollars to put those things in, so that’s why we’re not doing those. I do think Arnolds Park and Okoboji areas are on Tesla’s map of probably the next few years to put in some Tesla super chargers.”
Regarding the requested site at the water tower parking lot, Ron Walker with the city of Arnolds Park said he’s concerned over potential challenges of having a charging station in an area already heavily impacted by a lack of parking in the summer…
“I wish we could find somewhere, really look hard and find somewhere in town where we could put charging stations that weren’t at such a premium for parking. I think even your fines are going to be a nightmare.”
Walker was referring to a proposal to charge fines for anyone who would park a non-electric vehicle in the charging station. Fees for electric vehicles that remain parked there after they’ve been charged could also be considered under the proposal.
Council members expressed interest in having a charging station but took no action. They referred a proposed contract to the city attorney for review. In the meantime council members said they want to research other possible sites for a charging station, including the possibility of having one in the parking lot of the new city complex once the construction there is completed next year.
