An electrical vehicle charging station will soon stand behind Newtown Municipal Center in Fairfield Hills.

Its location near emergency generators behind the building will "take away no parking spaces," said Public Works Director Fred Hurley, and can charge "two cars simultaneously." The charging station is intended for town vehicles, he told Fairfield Hills Authority members on May 22. The public could also, via a phone application, schedule time at the station, depending on availability.

Although Newtown does not yet have an electric car, Mr Hurley said, "Starting with one car, we're looking at replacing the building inspector's car," or possibly another staff member's car.

The town is looking at electric cars as replacements for current vehicles, Mr Hurley said.

"What spearheads our interest is, the range of these cars is going up substantially," he added. A hybrid can travel about 60 miles on its batteries and a full electric car can go about 200 miles before needing another charge, he said. "Cars coming out now have even more range," he said.

FHA member Phil Clark asked if the charging ports be universal.

"As far as I know," Mr Hurley replied.

Regarding public use, Chairman Ross Carley asked, "Would there be a charge?"

"There can be," Mr Hurley said. "We're trying to promote it at this point."

Funding for this project is in part from a grant through the Sustainable Energy Commission of about $9,000. Another $5,000 is available through Public Works, Mr Hurley said. The roughly $14,000 pays for the station, materials, and installation.

A vendor for the station "is being solicited right now," Mr Hurley said last week. "We're out to bid." His crews will do the prep work in June and he hopes to hook up the station in July, he said.

Mr Clark asked about solar power to feed the station.

"We're not quite there yet," Mr Hurley said.

Mr Hurley named Edmond Town Hall and the town garage as other potential charging station locations.