by Will Bryant



Need to recharge your batteries?
One of the area’s first charging stations for electric vehicles was completed last week in Davidson’s South Main Square, next to Campania Café.
Kathleen Rose, owner of South Main Square, said she is dedicated to making the business and residential area energy efficient.
“Part of our mission is to not only bring business opportunities to the area but also bring green-energy initiatives,” Rose said.
Working in conjunction with Praxis, an energy company based out of Raleigh, Rose was able to get a charging station built in Davidson, thanks to a federal stimulus grant.
While the station is built, it is not yet operational, Rose said. It is going to be metered by Duke Energy during the week of Sept. 12 and then activated by Praxis.
In April 2011, Praxis was one of 16 companies awarded money from the state’s Green Business Fund to pursue green-energy initiatives. Praxis received $247,304 to install 19 electric vehicle chargers around the state and promote awareness of electric vehicles and the availability of charging stations.
Rose said she doesn’t know exactly how much use the station will receive, but noted a growing number of electric vehicles on the road.
“I think the concept is going to continue to grow,” Rose said. “We are all going to learn together how this is going to work.”
The charging station is open to the public and will be free for most of September until pricing issues are worked out, Rose said.
Once the station becomes operational, drivers will have to purchase ChargePoints to use at the station. The process is similar to putting money on a debit card.
The station is one of 37 stations in the state of North Carolina. South Carolina has only six.