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Sandy Springs Opens Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The two stations are now available at Hammond Park.

Motorists traveling around Sandy Springs using electric vehicles can now stop and recharge their batteries at a local park.

The city has opened two new charging stations at Hammond Park.

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“The city is committed to protecting its natural resources, and providing the resources t hat enable a convenient location for filling up an electric vehicle helps encourage conservation,” said Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul.

City leaders on Tuesday gathered at Hammond Park to host a ribbon cutting for the new stations.

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Council member and Mayor Pro-Tem Tibby DeJulio noted the two stations are “another indication of the leadership that Sandy Springs has taken” when it comes to promoting sustainable living.

Along with the two charging stations, DeJulio referenced the city becoming a Bronze Certified Green Community and the use of a propane fueling station are two examples of how the city has shown leadership in protecting natural resources.

“The combination of those things just shows that Sandy Springs is committed to the environment (and) committed to our citizens,” he added.

Two dual-charge pedestal Level II stations were installed at the park, which is located off Hammond Drive by Hannah Solar, a signature reseller of ChargePoint stations. Both stations are operational five days a week, 12 hours per day at no charge for residents.

The Sandy Springs City Council in November accepted a grant from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) to help fund the installation of the charging station.

Sandy Springs received $6,340 in grant funds, matching those funds for a total of $12,680. As part of the program, the city agrees to keep the charging stations operational at least three years, providing semi-annual data from the charging stations to GEFA during that time.

GEFA designed the incentive program to increase the number of electric vehicle charging stations throughout the state. The program provides cities with a rebate to install alternating current (AC) Level II and direct current quick charging (DCQC) EV charging stations.

Resident Bev Ellithrop, whose husband Dan owns a 2014 Chevy Volt, said the couple actually enjoy their new car, which she said is a “wonderful compromise” because they don’t have to worry about relying solely on either gasoline or electricity to power their vehicle.

Dan Ellithrop, who also owns a diesel-fueled pick-up truck, added they’ve also been able to reduce the amount of money they save on gasoline with the conversion.

Photos 1 and 2: From left to right are: resident Dan Ellithrop, Councilman Tibby DeJulio, Councilman Gabriel Sterling, Recreation and Parks Director Ronnie Young and Douglas Serillo of Chargepoint.

Photo 3: a 2014 Chevy Volt owned by Dan and Bev Ellithrop uses the new electric vehicle charging station at Hammond Park.

Credits: Kristal Dixon


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