Village of Richelieu Charges into the EV Era with EV Connect
New Jersey Townhome Development Installs EV Connect Charging Stations to Meet Growing Demand for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
Embracing Electric Vehicle Charging
The Village of Richelieu, a 232-unit townhome development in Lawrence Township, New Jersey, is embracing the electric vehicle revolution by installing EV Connect charging stations for its residents. With a strong commitment to sustainability and the increasing demand for EV charging infrastructure, the development’s Board of Trustees, led by Alex Trimble, chose EV Connect as their charging provider.
“I would say that we were trying to prepare for the future, but actually we were preparing for the present. We wanted to be prepared with an amenity that homeowners are going to need and want,” said Alex Trimble, Board of Trustees, Village of Richelieu.
Overcoming Installation Challenges
The Village of Richelieu faced unique challenges in implementing EV charging solutions. With remote parking lots and no individual garages, residents could not install personal chargers. Additionally, the parking lot where the charging stations would go was over 70 feet away from the nearest transformer, which required trenching to connect to power. The Board needed a solution for shared parking that was flexible, easy to use, and offered a turnkey installation experience.
Choosing EV Connect for a Seamless Experience
After a thorough search that involved bids from three solution providers, the Village selected EV Connect as its charging provider. EV Connect distinguished itself by offering a seamless turnkey installation, handling permitting, incentives, inspections, and coordination with subcontractors.
Having a local presence was also an important differentiator. Alex saw EV Connect charging stations in nearby areas, inspiring confidence in the network’s reliability. Lastly, the Village needed the ability to easily set different pricing plans for resident and guest charging. EV Connect’s flexibility and ease of use enabled them to do so.
“Seeing EV Connect stations next door in Plainsboro Township gave me the impression that this is someone we can rely on.” says Trimble.
Collaborative Installation Process
The installation process involved close collaboration between EV Connect; the installer, Qmerit, the utility, PSE&G; and the Village of Richelieu’s electrician, George Marko Electrical. Alex was impressed with the clean and well-organized jobsite, noting that the team worked together seamlessly as a single unit. The trenching process, which covered over 70 feet, was completed efficiently, and the finished result made it nearly impossible to tell that any excavation had taken place.
Peace of Mind with Shield
The Village of Richelieu opted for EV Connect’s Shield extended parts and labor service plan, providing additional security and ensuring minimal downtime for charging stations. Shield gives customers remote proactive monitoring, troubleshooting, and support, full parts and labor coverage, up to and including station replacement, if needed, certified on-site labor and dispatch, and strict SLAs for onsite repairs in 48-72 hours.
“Because we were not very familiar with charging stations, we wanted to have the best coverage possible and not have to worry about parts and labor if a station goes down.” says Trimble, “Everything is included in Shield.”
Positive Impact and Growing Adoption
Since installing the EV Connect charging stations, the Village of Richelieu is preparing for an increase in EV adoption among residents, with the stations averaging two charging sessions per day. With EV Connect’s help, the development has also taken advantage of New Jersey’s incentives for EV charging infrastructure. The added amenity of EV charging makes the Village of Richelieu more attractive to potential buyers.
Sustainability Focus
The EV charging initiative is part of a broader focus on sustainability for the Village of Richelieu, which is in a verdant setting that is proximate to two public parks with miles of pedestrian and bike trails. In recent years, Richelieu has implemented organic landscaping practices and planted many new trees. By investing in sustainable transportation, the residents of the Village are demonstrating their commitment to preserving the environment, reducing their carbon footprint, and promoting a healthier, greener lifestyle for current and future generations.
Advice for Other Housing Developments
For developments considering EV charging installations, Alex shares valuable insights and recommendations based on his experience rolling out EV charging to the Village of Richelieu:
Understand local incentives: A good installation partner will investigate and secure state and local incentives available for implementing EV charging infrastructure. These incentives can help offset costs and make the project more feasible.
Understand your community’s needs: Assess the current and anticipated EV adoption among residents. Determine the number of charging stations required and the most suitable locations within the development.
Choose a reliable charging provider: Select a provider that offers a turnkey solution with a strong local presence who can handle the permitting, inspections, incentives, and coordination with subcontractors, utility, and municipality to ensure a smooth installation process.
Consider scalability: Opt for a charging solution that can grow with your community’s needs. Flexible software options and the ability to add more stations or upgrade features in the future will prove beneficial as EV adoption increases.
Engage stakeholders: Communicate with residents and board members throughout the project. Ensure that their concerns and suggestions are addressed, fostering a sense of ownership and support for the initiative.
Budget for ongoing maintenance and support: Plan for regular maintenance and support services to keep the charging stations operational and minimize downtime.
Educate residents: Offer information sessions or resources to help residents understand the benefits of EV charging and how to use the stations effectively.
By following these actionable steps, other developments can successfully embark on an EV charging project and contribute to a more sustainable future for their communities.