Fast Charging Station, residential charging pilot coming to Seeley

With gas prices on the rise, the motivation for consumers to consider an electric vehicle (EV) is steadily growing. Some of the top automotive manufacturers have already announced an end to production for gas and diesel engines in the near future. As drivers seek out ways to shield themselves from rising gas prices, utilities are already preparing for the coming transition to the electrified future of motoring.

You might ask, why should I consider an EV? The list of benefits to owning an EV steadily grows. Not only does an EV allow you to ignore the upward trend in gas prices, but the network of public charging infrastructure across the country continues to expand at a rapid rate. Additionally, car manufacturers are continuing to crank out new models of EVs, which means used EVs are more accessible than ever before.

Missoula Electric Cooperative (MEC) will install the first public EV charging station in Seeley Lake, with partnership from the Seeley Lake Community Foundation (SLCF). This will not only be the first public rapid EV charger in Seeley Lake but also in MEC's service territory. The charging station will feature a direct-current, fast charger and a single-head level-two charger. The fast charger will provide 200 miles of range, per hour spent charging, while the level two charger, will provide 25 miles of range.

The SLCF facility was chosen for, not only its proximity to local shopping and dining, but also the foundation's community-focused values, which align well with the Cooperative's. A hot spot for both locals and tourists, Seeley Lake is central to Missoula, Glacier National Park and Seeley-Swan recreation areas. The installation of a public EV fast charging station will expand accessibility to a new category of travelers, opening Seeley Lake as a possibility when EV travelers are planning a road trip. MEC's target date for installation is early spring, allowing travelers to take full advantage of the station during the 2022 tourist season.

In response to their leadership on the project, MEC General Manager Mark Hayden said, "MEC is fortunate to serve rural communities, like Seeley Lake, and expand accessibility to this new category of travelers. We are excited to do our part and set the pace for clean energy solutions in our corner of the world."

The Cooperative was awarded a grant by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ's), "Fast Charge Your Ride" program, which offset a significant portion of the installation costs. The remaining amount, which is roughly 20% of the project cost, will be provided by the Co-op. The Volkswagen Clean Air Act Civil Settlement funds these grants to encourage projects that focus on reducing nitrous oxide emissions produced by the transportation sector.

Seeley Lake was identified as a high priority community by DEQ, but with funding available for only one charger, the decision of where it would be stationed was a very important topic. After much discussion by the Board, MEC decided that working with a centrally based, community non-profit, like SLCF, the EV charging station would not only be an investment in the Seeley Lake community but it would benefit locals and visitors alike.

"As a member-owned electric cooperative, it is imperative that we are looking ahead and evolving to meet our members' needs. The growing interest in renewable energy and electric vehicles continues to drive our strategic initiatives, so teaming up with Seeley Lake Community Foundation to offer an EV charging station in one of our largest rural communities, and one that sees a high volume of tourism, was an easy decision for the Cooperative," Hayden stated.

At MEC, we are tracking the EV atmosphere very closely to position the Cooperative for the new charging loads coming our way. The new EV installation in Seeley Lake will not only provide charging options for EV consumers and tourists passing through the valley, but it will also provide MEC with a valuable data point to learn what impact public charging could have on the Cooperative.

Knowing that most EV charging will take place in our members' garages, MEC plans to launch a residential charging pilot in the summer of 2022. Initially limited to 100 participants, the pilot will utilize level 2 smart chargers to allow homeowners to charge during off-peak hours at a reduced energy cost. For the Cooperative, the program will help shift these charging loads off the system's peak, thus mitigating a rise in our wholesale demand charges. Pilot participants will benefit from faster charging, at a lower per kilowatt-hour cost, when compared to their standard residential energy rate.

Are you an EV driver or someone that is considering an EV purchase in the near future? We encourage you to participate in MEC's residential EV charging pilot. With an anticipated launch date of mid-summer 2022 and only 100 available chargers, we are asking that interested parties sign up by contacting MEC's Energy Specialist Dan Rogers at 406-541-6333 or DanR@meccoop.com.

For more information on electric vehicles or to find an EV charging station near you, please visit missoulaelectric.com/energy-services.