BATAVIA — Four new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are ready for customers to use city representatives and National Grid said at a ribbon-cutting this morning at a charging station next to City Church.
City of Batavia officials and community leaders were joined by leaders from National Grid to commemorate the installation of the stations. The stations were made possible through National Grid’s Make-Ready Electric Vehicle program, which funds electricity infrastructure costs associated with the stations for its upstate electric business customers.
Two stations are located at Mancuso Bowling Center, 214 E. Main St., and two at City Church, 210 E. Main St. National Grid’s program covered more than 90% of the infrastructure costs to install them.
“The Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District Board of Directors was excited to pursue this project and are thrilled to see four EV charging locations within our downtown,” said Beth Kemp, executive director of Batavia Business Improvement District (BID). “We would not have been able to move forward with these progressive additions to our downtown without the assistance of National Grid, NYSERDA, Rick Mancuso and Marty Macdonald. Thank you to all partners involved.”
National Grid Customer and Community Engagement Manager Paul Gister said EV stations have become more popular among landlords seeking to attract and retain tenants. They also help the state achieve its energy targets by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“Electric vehicle adoption is on the rise in New York State, and EV charging stations are a great way to attract employees, and also a great way to attract and retain new customers,” Gister said.
National Grid’s EV charging program is available for businesses, multi-unit residential buildings and retail stores, as well as parks and vacation destinations. The company also offers a program for companies looking to electrify their fleets, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and meet the de-carbonization goals of the states where the utility operates.
“These programs include incentives for customers who have an eye on the future, who support clean energy initiatives, and are providing a necessity for the vehicles that will take us there,” Gister said. “Initiatives like these are at the heart of how we collaborate with customers and significantly impact our communities and community partners. These kinds of collaborations are central to our Project C initiative, which was created to inspire change and create a more equitable future for our customers and communities.”
Rick Mancuso, owner of Mancuso Bowling Center and T.F. Brown’s Restaurant, said Mancuso Bowling Center had the chance to have EV stations through programs offered by National Grid and NYSERDA through the Downtown BID.
“We believe that with the increase of electric car sales there will be a need for stations and, at the same time, these stations will drive traffic to the downtown area as well as the surrounding businesses.”
Genesee County Chamber of Commerce President Erik Fix said the Chamber of Commerce believes passionately in collaborations that enhance our abilities to live, work and play in Genesee County.
“We are grateful for our partnership with National Grid and the BID and appreciate them working together to bring EV car-charging stations to downtown Batavia. Congratulations to both organizations and thank you to National Grid for continuing to invest in our community.”
