Allan Appel Photo
Big diesel-spewing trucks were still idling for more than the allowable three minutes along the streets of the port this week. Despite a delay, the country’s first electric truck stop in a port area is riding to the rescue.
After groundbreaking for the innovative 14-truck electrical hook-up took place on June 11, there was a week’s delay in getting started on site preparation, according to the Port Authority Executive Director Judi Sheiffele.
Meanwhile, the city announced this week that it is partnering with United Illuminating to bring electric car-charging stations to downtown parking garages.
Sheiffele said the delay at the port came as the city sought to prepare the site for installation.
Over the years, trucks had squashed the little property markers, she said. So surveyors had come find the boundary lines.
Heavy grading equipment and bollards to keep out other vehicles were in place mid-week at the lot at the corner of Alabama and Stiles Streets.
“Right now they are doing the initial site work, digging the trenches for the cables. Then it’ll get paved, and lighting fixtures will go up.”
When complete, the hook ups will enable short and long-haulers to run their air conditioning, lights, and the live-in features of their cabs without burning any diesel. That’s a savings for the truck owners and the environment, big time, Sheiffele said.
Funding for the $380,000 project comes from federal stimulus money (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) won by the city’s Office of Sustainability in partnership with the Port Authority and through state Department of Environmental Protection.
Shieffele said she met last week with state DEP officials. They expect to come down to the port for the ribbon cutting, about five weeks away.
Car Chargers Planned
The city is anticipating an increase in electric car owners as Chevy’s new Volt will soon be sold in the Nutmeg State. Where in town are the best places to set up charging stations?
Answer: Likely one of the New Haven Parking Authority’s garages. To find out what the public thinks, the parking authority and United Illuminating (UI) will be asking the public to call in preferences as to where to plug in.
Once the data is collected, charging stations will be set up in a pilot program, which in turn will help the city and UI determine a network of charging stations throughout the city.
“By the end of the third quarter 2010, electric vehicle owners in New Haven will be able to fully charge their parked vehicle in about 4 hours using a level 2 charger,” the release states.
To suggest where you want to charge your car, call 203 – 499-3348.