The City of Ashland partnered with Forth Mobility to install ten new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the City’s Service Center for its current fleet of electric vehicles. These vehicles are used for various City business including electric and water conservation audits, utility meter reading, and more. This project has continued to support the City’s commitment to a low-carbon fleet and workplace. 

The installation included the Electric Department and Streets and Water Divisions performing the excavation and underground conduit installation. After, the Electric crew installed a new run of underground primary to feed a dedicated transformer for the EV chargers. The dedicated transformer with a 400-amp service panel allows for each EV charger to be protected by a dedicated breaker. Electrician Mike Cook was assisted by several staff members, however the majority of the help came from staff member John Paulick, in pulling wire to the EV chargers from the panel as well as mounting the chargers to each post.

The new infrastructure significantly improves the Service Center charging capability for current and future electric vehicles. Some of the expected outcomes of this project include: increased overall charging capacity; reduced charging times; improved user experience; improved data collection; improved operational efficiency; increased clean fuel revenue; provide workplace charging infrastructure for employees; and provide room for future growth and upgrades.