Electric Vehicle Charging Could Expand At Drexel Town Square

OAK CREEK, WI — More electric vehicle chargers could be on their way to Drexel Town Square soon.

Electrify America, a company that installs electric vehicle chargers across the nation, won the initial approvals from the Oak Creek Plan Commission on Oct. 12 needed to install more chargers at the Meijer's parking lot near Drexel Town Square.

Ten existing parking spaces would be transitioned into six electric vehicle chargers, documents submitted to the city show. The chargers would be a self-serve facility available 24 hours per day.

The DC quick-chargers would be installed near an existing Tesla charging station, except they will be able to provide electricity for non-Tesla vehicles. There are 30 charging stations in Oak Creek right now, according to chargehub.com, and more may be expected down the road.

In the meeting, Mayor Dan Bukiewicz said Oak Creek may be seeing more chargers down the road, draft minutes show. Bukiewicz said chargers are part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 money, and that the movement is going to green fuel sources for cars.

Assistant Fire Chief Michael Havey said in the meeting that the chargers do not pose any immediate concerns for fires. There have been some issues across the country with electric vehicles, but those are related to lithium-ion batteries and not the chargers themselves, he said according to draft minutes.