(Batesville, IN) – The Batesville Board of Works this week approved a multi-year partnership between the city and Duke Energy Indiana to install an electric vehicle charging station downtown.
It’s a five-year deal, with an option for a sixth year.
The two sides tried unsuccessfully several times in recent years to find a place to put the charging station, before settling on six spots in the Village Square parking lot near 5/3 Bank.
The plan was an offshoot of the city asking Duke to change Batesville’s street light bulbs to high-efficiency bulbs several years ago.
It was put on hold by the COVID-19 pandemic but Duke later approached the city about an EV charging station in addition to converting street light bulbs to LEDs.
Mayor Mike Bettice says Duke will purchase the charging station, run electricity from Boehringer Street to the site, install the equipment, and pay for maintenance.
Duke will pony up by using funds received as part of a lawsuit settlement with Volkswagen.
Bettice says one of the program’s potential benefits is it will present an opportunity for EV owners whose cars are charging to visit downtown businesses and restaurants.
