Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Proposed for Yorktown Malls
(February 24, 2022) – An electric-vehicle charging company has asked Town officials to allow free charging stations at local malls.
Volta Charging, a San Francisco-based vehicle-charging company, asked Town officials on Tuesday to update the Town Code to allow charging stations and video screens that accompany the charging kiosks. Volta is proposing to install four vehicle-charging stations at the Jefferson Valley Mall and two charging stations at the Staples Plaza.
Volta representatives said that the proposal gives electric vehicle owners more charging options and provides shopping centers with competitive advantages.
“We’re trying to target commerce-centric areas where people are already going to. They’re going there and they’re able to top off their cars,” said Samuel Lee, an engineering project manager at Volta. “If you had to pick between two grocery stores and one provider had an EV charging station, you’re going to want to go there.”
The charging kiosks would be about seven-and-a-half feet tall and they include 27- by 48-inch screens that display advertising similar to screens at gas pumps. Lee explained that the advertising allows Volta to offer free or subsidized charging.
“This proposal will expand access to an important service and will be beneficial to our community,” said Supervisor Matt Slater. “We are excited to be attracting and partnering with industry leaders to bring cutting-edge technology to Yorktown.”
The kiosks would stand close to store entrances to encourage electric vehicle use and to avoid distracting drivers on roads.
“We need the infrastructure to be quite honest,” said Councilman Sergio Esposito. “EV people are very possessive with their car chargers and there’s just not enough of them.”
Town officials expressed concerns about the advertising content. Lee said Volta does not allow advertising related to politics, cannabis, tobacco, or alcohol. Volta’s advertisers include national brands like Coke, Walgreens and Stop & Shop. Supervisor Slater asked that Town officials write the prohibited advertising into any code that the Town Board adopts.
The Town Board took no action on Volta’s request. Volta’s representatives gave the Town Board samples of code permitting charging stations and digital advertising signs and Town officials will begin drafting an update to the Town Code. The Town Board must approve any changes to the Town Code before the updates take effect.
Contact: Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater, 914-962-5722 x201 or mslater@yorktownny.org
