North Hempstead: 7 community parks to get 30 new electric vehicle charging stations
New Hyde Park ,October 25: New York State Senator Anna M. Kaplan (D-Port Washington) hosted a press event at Clinton G. Martin Park in New Hyde Park, NY with Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Veronica Lurvey, Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte, Town of North Hempstead Councilman Peter Zuckerman, and local electric vehicle (EV) drivers to announce the Power Up in a Park Initiative that will bring 30 new electric vehicle charging stations to 7 community parks in the Town of North Hempstead. This is the first major investment in public charging stations on Nassau County's North Shore, and it was made possible by a $500,000 grant secured by Senator Kaplan.
Also Read| Alert! Embassy asks Indians to leave Ukraine immediately
Senator Anna M. Kaplan said "there are more electric cars on Long Island roads than ever before, but there has never been any significant investment in public charging stations for drivers in our community to use. With our 'Power Up in a Park' Initiative, we're more than tripling the number of charging stations available in North Hempstead, and we're giving residents another excuse to get out of the house and visit a park. I'm proud to have secured $500,000 for this vital investment in our green future, and I'm grateful for my partners in the Town of North Hempstead who are going to get it done."
The Town of North Hempstead on Nassau County's North Shore is home to over 231,000 residents, but according to plugshare.com, a popular site to locate EV chargers, there are only 8 public EV chargers available within the Town's borders. "Power Up in a Park" will see the installation of 30 level 2 chargers, which can give a vehicle 20-30 miles of range per hour of charge, in 7 Town parks. The parks currently being considered for this initiative are Michael J. Tully Park in New Hyde Park, Clinton G. Martin Park in New Hyde Park, Town Dock in Port Washington, North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington, Mary Jane Davies Park in Manhasset, Clark Botanical Gardens in Albertson, and The Yes We Can Community Center in Westbury.
With rising gas prices and new incentives from the Federal Government boosting interest in electric vehicles, EV sales have seen a sharp increase in the US during the first half of 2022 when compared to the same period in 2021, rising from 3.6% of all new vehicles in the US to 6.2%.
Unfortunately, the region's charging station infrastructure has not kept pace with vehicle sales, holding back many potential car buyers from choosing an electric vehicle due to "range anxiety," or the fear that a vehicle won't be able to reach a charging station before running out of power.
By expanding access to charging stations, more Long Islanders will feel comfortable making the switch to an electric vehicle in the future.
“Thank you to Senator Anna Kaplan for your dedication and commitment to combat climate change and promote environmental conservation,” said North Hempstead Council Member Veronica Lurvey. “Adding these EV charging stations to our parks is a natural fit and will hopefully encourage more people to make the switch knowing that expanded access is on the horizon. This is a model of sustainability and resiliency that we hope other towns on Long Island can follow too.“
“We are proud to once again partner with Senator Anna Kaplan on yet another initiative that will help our residents and visitors alike,” said North Hempstead Council Member Peter Zuckerman. “The “Power Up in a Park Initiative” will allow individuals to see the natural beauty of our parks while charging up their eco-friendly vehicle.”
“Senator Kaplan has consistently passed legislation that helps address the threat of climate change,” said North Hempstead Council Member Mariann Dalimonte. “It’s important that we ensure more access to charging stations as this hopefully will pave the way for more Long Islanders to take the leap in considering an electric vehicle as their next car.”
Also Read| Mallikarjun Kharge pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat
-PTC News
