City installs electric vehicle charging in parking garage
Two of the electric vehicle charging stations in the parking garage attached to Whitefish City Hall. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Electric cars can now get a recharge in the city’s parking structure.
Four electric charging stations are operational in the parking garage attached to City Hall in spaces designated for electric vehicles only. Two are located in the covered lease area and two are in the uncovered lease area of the garage.
“There are a lot more electric vehicles around town,” said City Manager Adam Hammatt. “We want to educate the public and make them aware that these are available so we can see the public using them.
The stations are free to use. Climate Smart Glacier Country has agreed to cover the electricity costs for the few years of operation. Flathead Electric Co-op provided assistance to the city for the installation cost of the charging stations.
The parking spots are designated for electric vehicles only and are for lease holders with an electric vehicle from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Beyond those hours, the spaces are open to anyone with an electric vehicle.
The installation of the charging station is part of implementation of the city’s Climate Action Plan.
“We hope this may give even more incentive for people to purchase an electric vehicle,” Hammatt said. “This really shows the progressive nature of our community and hopefully will generate some excitement about being more climate-friendly.”
The charging stations were installed to allow for expansion to add additional electric spaces in the future as usage and desire dictates, Hammatt noted.