COLD SPRING – Village officials in Cold Spring are considering joining a state pilot program to install a new type of electric-vehicle charging station in a village-owned parking lot off New Street in the vicinity of the Hudson House.
Voltpost Corporation, headquartered in Manhattan, developed the technology, while the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is funding every aspect—from hardware and installation to operations, software, driver aid, and maintenance.
Voltpost is installing 13 stations for the New York pilot with additional locations in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Washington, D.C.
Voltpost installs dual charging units about 10 feet high on poles. When a driver scans a QR code to activate the system, a 25-foot cable drops down from the unit. When charging is complete, the cable retracts.
The Cold Spring Village Board invited James Everley of Voltpost to address concerns about flooding, fire, and electrocution.
Everley said the above-ground design eliminates the need for trenching and reduces the risk of vandalism, flooding, and damage from winter storms.
The board reminded Everley that storms have historically caused flooding in the lower village and trustees along with Mayor Kathleen Foley were concerned about electrocutions should residences become flooded.
Everley said that would not happen in Cold Spring because the units are mounted 10 feet high and powered by overhead lines.
Everley also noted if there was a catastrophic flood “either the vehicle or the charger would turn itself off.”
He also told the trustees in his more than a decade in the industry, he never heard of a fire in a charging station.
Everly added while gas-powered vehicles average 1,500 fires per 100,000 vehicles sold, EVs have 25 fires per 100,000 vehicles sold.
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