Latrobe in talks to add electric vehicle charging stations downtown

Downtown Latrobe could welcome numerous electric vehicle charging stations in the near future.

On Monday, Sept. 26, the Latrobe City Council discussed the logistics of adding nine electric vehicle charging stations within the city limits.

City Manager Terry Carcella said the city needs to install stations eventually as electric cars increase in popularity.

“We have to start somewhere,” Carcella said. “We can try to be front and center with it, or be behind.”

Right now, the city is in talks to add five spaces near the municipal building, two in the parking garage and two in another lot, Carcella said.

Adding the charging stations would cost at most $4,000 per unit. The city will seek grants to help pay for the stations.

Carcella said the city could charge around $6 per hour to charge a vehicle.

“We’re not going to give free electricity away,” he said. “We have to charge something. This is what the average is.”

Council did not vote during Monday’s agenda meeting.

In December, council passed an ordinance allowing charging stations in all districts. However, rapid charging stations with a voltage greater than 240 only are allowed in commercial and industrial zones.

In the United States, electric vehicle registrations grew by more than 42% between 2020 and 2021. The Keystone State saw an increase upward of 52% during that same time period.

The International Energy Agency anticipates electric vehicle sales will reach an all-time high across the globe in 2022.

In June, Westmoreland commissioners launched a pilot program to install an electric vehicle charging station at Twin Lakes Park.

Additional stations could be added at the county’s Cedar Creek Park in Rostraver, Mammoth Park in Mt. Pleasant Township and Northmoreland Park in Allegheny Township.