thedailynewsonline.com
Brian Quinn
August 29, 2024
BATAVIA — If you drive an electric vehicle to Batavia Downs, you have some brand-new options to power up.
Sixteen new Level 2 charging stations were unveiled Wednesday in two parking lots at Batavia Downs for electric vehicle owners to recharge their vehicles.
The project was completed in concert with National Grid’s Electric Vehicle Make-Ready program. The latter provided $96,000 in EV incentives which covered around 78% of infrastructure-related construction costs, including labor and materials.
A total of 12 Level 2 plugs are in the main lot, with the remaining four in the VIP/valet parking lot.
A Level 2 plug provides for faster EV charging.
Beyond the newly installed plugs, the project investment also provided Batavia Downs with funding to increase the existing electricity infrastructure to accommodate future EV charging as driver demand increases and additional plugs are needed.
“We’re very grateful for that. Our guests are very grateful for that,” said Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation President and CEO Henry Wojtaszek. “They’re looking forward to being able to come here and charge their cars and be able to enjoy themselves while they’re here.”
Wojtaszek said people ask Batavia Downs about electric vehicle charging opportunities.
“We did have charging stations we put in … maybe for or five years ago. Clearly, there’s a need for more charging stations and especially people who stay at the hotel are looking to charge their cars overnight while they’re here,” he said. “We have focus groups, we have surveys. We have people who stay at the hotel constantly asking us … can you get some more?”
Wojtaszek said WROTB contracted with PPR Energy Solutions, Inc., the contractor for installing the charging stations.
“A majority of that cost (about $96,000) was borne by National Grid and we’re very grateful for their help,” he said. Wojtaszek said WROTB paid about 25% of the cost.
Wojtaszek said the stations have been active for about three weeks. There are more and more electric vehicles, he said.
“There’s fully electric. There’s a hybrid model that plugs in. They seem to be extremely popular now, both of them,” he said.
The technology is newer and better with EV charging stations, Wojtaszek said. He said the four stations installed at Batavia Downs a few years ago have been replaced with the newer models. Twelve are in one area of the parking lot and four are in another.
National Grid Lead Program Manager Electric Vehicles — NY Whitney Skeans said National Grid has funding through the state’s Make Ready order.
“We work with approved installers like PPR Energy Solutions to incentivize any business customer project,” Skeans said. “This one (Batavia Downs) came to us by way of PPR. PPR was fortunate to bid the project and acquire the project and apply for Batavia Downs into the project. I, then, would review the application to make sure that we have what we need to approve it for incentives.
“By 2030, the anticipated drivership of EVs is about 30%. This is preparing for the future,” she said.
Prinzi said PPR is looking to expand and give a smooth transition to electric-vehicle charging. PPR wants to make it more available throughout the country.
“Batavia Downs having entertainment and a hotel, it was an ideal location for chargers … That’s why we chose Level 2 chargers here,” he said.
https://www.thedailynewsonline.com/news/watch-batavia-downs-adds-16-new-ev-charging-stations/article_a3f8e81a-656e-11ef-9a0a-932143969b4a.html