The first EV charging station in Rutland, Vermont, has been officially launched by Green Mountain Power (GMP), marking a significant step toward electric vehicle infrastructure development.

The station, located at West and Cottage streets, features two charging options:

• Fast charger: Delivers 80% battery charge in 25 minutes (35+ miles range in 15 minutes)
• Standard charger: Provides 24 miles range in one hour

NRG EVgo is building a network of 12 charging stations across Vermont, with this being one of the first installations. The station accepts direct payment or charging network memberships.

Currently, Vermont has 891 registered electric vehicles, with numbers expected to increase as local dealerships Formula Ford and Alderman's Toyota begin selling EVs. A third dealership is planning to join soon.

The downtown location was strategically chosen to allow drivers to shop and explore while their vehicles charge. NRG and GMP used state traffic data to determine optimal station placement.

To address the "chicken-and-egg" dilemma of EV adoption, GMP is taking proactive steps:

• Building charging infrastructure before widespread EV adoption
• Partnering with dealers to offer EVs in smart home packages
• Including charging network memberships with vehicle purchases

This initiative represents GMP's commitment to sustainable transportation and infrastructure development in Vermont, with strong support from local government and community leaders.

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