City of Hastings Community Development staff is researching a plan to increase the number of electric vehicle charging stations in Hastings.

The Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority (HEDRA) is being asked to give direction to staff on whether to move forward with such a project.

HEDRA members were sent information on a program installed by the City of Plymouth, where 115 electric vehicle charging stalls were installed at Plymouth City Hall, the Plymouth Ice Center, the Plymouth Community Center at a park and ride and at several park locations.

The installation was made by Carbon Solution Group, which funds capital and operational costs. The program doesn’t cost the city or taxpayers any money.

The stations charge electric vehicle owners as they recharge their vehicles.

For being able to utilize city property, the city receives lease fees for the charging stations. Plymouth’s agreement calls for $32,000 in revenue annually for the first five years, and $45,000 starting in year six. Carbon Solution Group is also providing Plymouth with three Nissan Leaf electric vehicles at no cost to the city for five years. After that time, the city has the option to buy the three vehicles for $3,750 per vehicle. The base price for a 2023 Nissan Leaf is about $28,000.

The chargers being installed are a combination of DC Fast Chargers and Level 2 chargers. DC Fast Chargers give electric vehicle owners 180-240 miles of range per hour charged, and Level 2 charges offer 10-20 miles of range per hour of charge. An example for charging costs is that the City of St. Paul charges 25¢ per kilowatt hour with a $1.25 per session connection fee. The DC Fast Charge cost is 35¢ per kilowatt hour with a connection fee of $2.50.

There currently are five public electric vehicle charging stations in Hastings, according to the website plugchare.com:

•The Confluence parking ramp, 119 2nd St. W.

•Hastings Ford, 3625 Vermillion St.

•Pleasant Hill Library, 1490 S. Frontage Rd.

•Spring Lake Park Reserve, 8500 S. 127th St. E.

•Refuge RV Park, 19922 Michael Ave.

Carbon Solutions Group is based in Chicago. It bills itself as “one of the first pure play owner operators in the business. We’re solely focused on developing, owning and operating cutting edge stations to serve customers and the community,” according to its website.

“CSG bears full responsibility and costs for the development, construction and operation of the facilities,” the website states.

The city staff memo to HEDRA indicates installation of more charging stations could be a boost to tourism in the community.