14 New EV Chargers To Be Installed In Aspen, Colorado

It might not seem newsworthy for a site that typically covers national news, but every new public EV charger installation counts. Aspen, Colorado will be getting 14 new public EV chargers at seven new charging sites. The source says Aspen currently has 24 public EV charging “plugs,” so adding 14 is actually quite a boost. “Plug” here means charging port, but reporters use their own terms sometimes.

“I would like to see us move forward with this. Given the fuel crisis that we’re beginning to see … we’ll probably see a renewed interest in electric vehicles going forward,” said Mayor Rachael Richards. 

“The cost of gas now, as Rachael just mentioned, is through the roof. With what we’ve seen here this winter … the move to electrification is imperative right now,” said Council Member John Doyle.

While there is a myth some believe that EV chargers “cost too much,” these particular 14 public chargers appear to be quite affordable. “The total expenditures, according to the report, are estimated at $217,297.08, including both the contract for the EV charging station facilities installations plus 15% contingency proposed.”

When local government organizations choose to install community EV chargers, typically those chargers are Level 2. They deliver around 35 miles of EV driving in about one hour. This rate is suitable for community centers, public libraries, government buildings, public golf courses, shopping centers, and workplaces.

Going back to the price of gas and diesel fuel right now, the cost of climate change impacts, toxic air pollution, and subsidies for oil and gas must be factored in as well. Geopolitical instability, imported foreign oil, and silly wars are also costs that must be considered.

Domestically produced electricity costs less than gas and diesel fuel, though many may not have yet realized this fact.

Further, electric vehicles can be charged with electricity generated from solar power, wind power, hydropower, and geothermal, which are clean, renewable sources. Gas and diesel vehicles can only be run using dirty fossil fuels.

Apparently, the city of Aspen’s utility runs on clean electricity. “Since 2015, the City of Aspen electric system uses 100% renewable energy.”

Jennifer Sensiba wrote a humorous article about how our current anti-EV president may actually turn out to cause many people to buy or lease electric vehicles. “With gasoline prices spiking, car buyers don’t need incentives or even regulations to have the EV make the most sense. Donald Trump is providing the biggest stick in the world, and that makes up for the complete lack of carrots.”

Perhaps the new Aspen chargers have something to do with unintended consequences set into motion by starting a questionable war.