The Quad City International Airport unveiled a new addition on Wednesday morning, October 17, 2012. Two new Level II Electric Vehicle (EV) charging units have been installed in the airport's short-term parking lot. According to airport officials, each dual charging unit has the capacity to charge two vehicles in 4 - 6 hours.
The installation is part of a broader effort to expand the charging infrastructure to support anticipated growth in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle use over the next five to 10 years.
The new EV charging units are the result of a partnership between the Quad City International Airport and Delta Institute, a Chicago-based non-profit environmental and economic development organization, initiated by the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce. Genesis Health System is also participating in the project, and will install two of the same type of units at its new Medical Center being built on a brownfield site in Moline.
When completed, the installations will increase the number of away-from-home charging locations in the Quad Cities area to six, complementing existing facilities at the parking garage near the Rock Island City Parking Ramp, Lujack's Nissan Dealership, Courtesy Car City and Tri-City Electric.
"We are pleased to be one of the first public facilities in the region to offer EV Charging service to those customers who have an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle," said Bruce Carter, Director of Aviation for the Quad City International Airport. "It is critical that we move forward with technology, and keep up with the most current needs of our travelers."
Charging units are popping up at hotels, restaurants, retail sites and tourist attractions around the nation. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that there are approximately 4,600 public charging stations currently installed in the U.S and the number is expected to grow in the coming decade.
Kohl's Department stores recently announced that by the end of fall, it will have a total of 101 charging stations at 52 locations across 14 states. Walgreen's has been in the process of installing charging stations in 800 locations over the past year.
According to Carter, the units will also allow the airport to play a role as an alternative fuel hub on a national level. "This is part of a broader movement to establish airports as a reliable location for alternative vehicle fueling."
The installation of Quad Cities' latest charging units was made possible by a grant from the U.S. EPA. Delta Institute purchased four Dual EV Charging Units from Eaton Corporation, after being funded by the EPA to identify sustainable reuse opportunities for brownfields in weak market areas. Since 2011, Delta has worked with the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce to identify potential partners and sites.
Both the Airport and Genesis Health System seized the opportunity to provide the service to their customers and employees. The Airport and Genesis will install and maintain the units, and will provide the electricity without cost for a five year period. After applying for the Illinois DCEO's EV rebate program, they each could be reimbursed for half the cost of installation.
"Delta Institute works to drive economic and environmental improvements," said Jean Pogge, CEO. "The availability of charging infrastructure not only helps grow demand for alternative fuel vehicles, it creates new market opportunity for manufacturers, dealers and suppliers working in that sector."
Genesis Health System will be installing two units in the new Medical Building on 41st Street in Moline. The building is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2013. A former brownfield site, the planned structure will include a number of "green" features, including an outdoor walking path and nature area.
"We are pleased to be a part of advancing the Quad Cities capacity to accommodate electric vehicles and welcome new opportunities to bring innovative green technologies to the region," said Tara Barney, Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce CEO.
