Westmoreland launches pilot program for electric vehicle chargers at county parks

Westmoreland commissioners on Thursday launched a pilot program to install an electric vehicle charging station at Twin Lakes Park with an eye toward a future expansion at three additional locations in the county.

Commissioners approved a contract with Rostraver-based startup company Kilocharge LLC to place one station near the boathouse area at the 467-acre park in Hempfield and Unity townships.

“This is exciting and a potential revenue source for us. More people in the future could be driving electric cars and we’re trying to get ahead of the curve and get ready for that,” said Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher.

The deal with Kilocharge calls for the company to pay for installation of the charging station that will accommodate two vehicles at a time. Under terms of the five-year deal, the county will receive 25% of revenue generated at the site once installation costs are recovered. An additional station can be installed near the skateboard area at Twin Lakes as well as at the county’s Cedar Creek Park in Rostraver, Mammoth Park in Mt. Pleasant Township and Northmoreland Park in Allegheny Township.

Kilocharge president and founder Richard DiMarco said his company began operations in November and expects to have the Twin Lakes charging station installed by August.

Final pricing has yet to be determined, but DiMarco estimated motorists will likely pay between $2 to $4 for an hours-long charge.

“If they are walking at the park and spend an hour there, they’ll have about 40 to 80 extra miles on their charge,” DiMarco said. “We think it is going to get used a lot.”

No statistics were readily available Thursday showing how many electric-powered vehicles are operated by motorists in Westmoreland County. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center there are about 15 electric vehicle charging stations in the county, including at businesses in Greensburg, Jeannette, Latrobe and North Huntingdon and at Keystone State Park in Derry Township. Electric vehicle charging stations also are located at the New Stanton Service Plaza on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

“Electric vehicles are woefully underserved in Westmoreland County,” DiMarco said.

His company is in talks with the Westmoreland County Airport Authority to install an electric vehicle charging station at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport near Latrobe, he said.

Commissioners said installation of the chargers could ultimately be a revenue generator for the county.

“We see how many electric vehicles are coming on the market from all the major manufacturers,” said Commissioner Sean Kertes. “This is obviously a test to see how this works out as far as moving forward with possible expansion.”

Commissioner Doug Chew said the deal with Kilocharge will provide an infrastructure boast in Westmoreland County.

“One of our advantages here is they are going to put in the high voltage service, so it gives us an opportunity in the future,” Chew said.