3 New Electric Car Charging Stations Installed In Woodbridge Township

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — On Wednesday, Woodbridge Township opened three new electric car charging stations, located in the New Street parking lot behind the Main Street shopping district in Woodbridge proper.

These are the first car-charging stations owned and operated by Woodbridge Township. However, there are already existing car charging stations in the area, such as the ones at the Wawa on King Georges Road.

These are three dual-port Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations. Two are located in the New Street parking lot behind Main Street, and the third is at the street parking area on Eleanor Place next to the NJ Transit train station parking lot.

The Dual Port infrastructure allows six electric vehicles to charge at once.

To use the charging stations, electric vehicle owners have to download the ChargePoint App from the Apple or Android stores. Electric car owners will also be asked to enter a valid credit or debit card into the ChargePoint App to pay for the electricity. Once a valid payment method is entered, users will be instructed to hold their smartphones up to the charging station. When these steps are completed, the charger will unlock from the port and users can insert the plug into their vehicle. Charging costs $1.50 per hour for the first two hours and thereafter increases to $2.50 per hour.

Woodbridge installed them to align with the Township’s mission to move towards zero emissions, encourage sustainable lifestyles and reduce the carbon footprint, according to Mayor John McCormac.

These two new charging stations have actually been turned on since early August, and since then Woodbridge Township has dispersed 131kWh and has avoided 93kg of greenhouse gas emissions, which is the equivalent of planting two trees and letting them grow for 10 years.

“Woodbridge is on a mission to reduce greenhouse gases and the carbon footprint and the installation of Sustainable EV charging stations at convenient locations throughout the Township is a significant initiative that will make it easier for residents and visitors to help us improve air quality by using zero-emission vehicles,” said Mayor McCormac.

“Electric vehicle owners are encouraged to use these charging stations while they support small businesses and shop local,” said First Ward Councilwoman Sharon McAuliffe. “The chargers are in an extremely convenient location which makes it easy to charge your car while you shop or dine on Main Street. We have a wide variety of retailers and the local businesses will benefit tremendously from (the new charging stations).”

These two new charging stations were funded via two grant programs — a grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection called "It Pay$ to Plug" in the amount of $24,000 and a PSE&G Clean Energy Future Electric Vehicle Charging Program grant for $22,500.

Here's a video from Woodbridge Township TV Channel 35 of Wednesday's unveiling: