Governor Kathy Hochul announced a new high-power multi-charger hub for electric vehicles is now available to support local EV drivers, travel and tourism in the North Country between Watertown and Plattsburgh.
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The new site, installed by the New York Power Authority at Stewart’s Shops in Potsdam as part of New York State’s EVolve NY fast-charging network, offers four high-speed chargers adjacent to four Tesla superchargers.
All four Evolve NY stations include a next-generation power-sharing technology that allows any compatible EV to fast-charge at the maximum level of 350 kilowatts.
The availability of the multiple new units in St. Lawrence County will enable charging for the growing number of EVs statewide and support the State’s nation-leading clean energy goals that are positioned to reduce carbon emissions and pollution on roadways and create healthier communities.
The Power Authority partnered with Stewart’s Shops, a family-owned convenience store chain with more than 350 convenience stores and gas stations in New York and Vermont, to install charging stations at six store locations in the Capital and Adirondacks regions as part of New York State’s growing EVolveNY fast-charging network: Potsdam, Latham, Clifton Park, Schodack, Moreau and Keene.
Next week, to draw attention to the convenience of these Stewart’s locations, NYPA will sponsor a “Recharge†promotion in which EV drivers can mention the code “Drive Electric†to a cashier at the site where they charge to receive a free Stewart’s 12-ounce coffee.
Evolve NY Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFCs) can charge most of the battery capacity in any make or model of EVs in as little as 20 minutes when charging at 350 kW.
The Potsdam site offers four high-speed EVolve NY chargers and is a shared location with Tesla, which also has four units. These new charging stations, on the Electrify America network, all have the potential to dispense up to 350 kW so users do not need to pre-determine which unit has the appropriate amount of power for their vehicle.
The site’s Evolve NY chargers incorporate a next-generation software technology that allows two dispensers to better utilize grid capacity by “sharing†power.
A single car can charge up to 350 kW. If a second car pulls into the neighboring space and also starts charging, the 350 kW will be shared between the two vehicles.
The system monitors each EV’s charging capabilities and current energy demand, then relays that data back to the shared power cabinet so each vehicle can get the power it needs. By deploying this type of system, NYPA can reduce the grid capacity requirement by more than 25 percent and allow vehicles to charge faster.
The system also offers a much longer cable for better reach, a smaller footprint, a resilient internal design, and improved internal diagnostics to analyze performance. ■