Colton Heads for "Greener" Pastures with Opening of Public Electric Vehicle Charging Station

A new era is dawning in Colton, and this time it's got to do with the city's energy usage. City officials, Colton Chamber of Commerce representatives, Fiesta Village employees and others gathered July 22 at Fiesta Village Family Fun Park to celebrate the opening of another public electric vehicle charging station in Colton. The newest public electric vehicle charging station is an addition to at least two existing others at Corporate Yard and another at City Hall. There are hopes for yet another charging station to come to Pinnacle Peak Steak House off the I-215 freeway between Riverside and Colton, exemplifying the city's momentum toward becoming a green city, officials said. Jessica Sutorus, Colton's environmental conservation supervisor, said the charging station is one of two awarded to the city through a competitive grant issued by the California State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission. The dual charging station is a Level 2, which supplies 240 volts of power, about the same as the voltage of an electric dryer or oven. According to Plug in America, Level 2 chargers go through a box and cord, improving safety because power is not sent until the cord is plugged into an electric vehicle. Level 2 chargers allow for a wide range of charging speeds; Sutorus said in this case, the charging speed was four to six hours. There were some requirements the city had to fill before they were awarded the grant, Sutorus explained. "There was a requirement to pick a place that could provide more than just a place to charge for a customer - a place for them to enjoy their time," Sutorus said. The station also had to be no farther than one mile from a nearby freeway. "There was nothing better than Fiesta Village," said Sutorus, who described Fiesta Village owner Michelle Kapuscinski as being eager about and supportive of the project. The charging stations - the second awarded through the grant is set to be placed at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center - are ADA accessible, explained Sutorus. Patrons swipe their debit or credit cards to pay to charge their vehicles and once the electric charger is released it can be plugged right into the vehicle. Another feature of the charging station is its cord-control, which keeps the station looking clean without several charging cords out in the open. "It's a great asset to our city," Sutorus said. And there's also a significant cost difference in Colton's electric vehicle charging stations compared to those in nearby communities, Sutorus explained. In Colton, electric vehicle drivers will pay 22 cents per kilowatt-hour, while those in San Bernardino will pay 55 cents. Adrianne Rogers, a city energy services specialist, said there was a vision for more charging stations to come to the area. "Pretty soon they're going to be all over the place," said Rogers. "It's really great to have [these charging stations] here." Colton City Mayor Richard De La Rosa said, "We like to see new things happening in Colton...and I hope to see more of these stations so that everybody has the ability to access clean electric energy." Mayor Pro Tem Frank Navarro said the electric vehicle charging stations are proof of the city's compliance with Federal and state mandates regarding cleaner air. Navarro added, "This is a new era for Colton, providing this service for residents...I hope this really helps a lot of our residents that drive electric vehicles." Kapuscinski said the decision to allow the charging stations to be placed at Fiesta Village, which has been a community staple for 40 years, was not difficult to make. "The city... made this so easy. They took care of every detail. We're really excited about it and happy to embrace going green," said Kapuscinski. Sutorus also announced that Colton Electric Utility customers who purchase Level 2 chargers for their home or business will receive a $500 rebate for doing so. Those interested in this rebate may contact her at 909-370-5561.