Electric Vehicles & EV Charging

Why Electric Vehicles? 

Politics aside, Electric Vehicles have lower total cost of ownership than gasoline-powered vehicles (due to much lower fuel and maintenance costs), emit zero tailpipe emissions in West Chester, and have 80% overall lower emissions from fuel when powered by the local electric grid. Fueling an EV on a commercial rate is equivalent to about $.75/gallon gasoline. Additionally, every EV makes West Chester streets quieter, improving the quality of life in the Borough, as well as the value of properties located on busy streets.  

The Borough's administrative fleet includes several plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, reducing total cost of ownership of the fleet to taxpayers and improving air quality in West Chester. 

Charging an EV or Plug-in Hybrid in West Chester

EV ChargingThere are several convenient electric vehicle (EV) charging stations open to the public in the West Chester Borough. All stations cost $1.00/hr (about 13 cents per kWh) in addition to parking fees, where applicable. Vehicles parked in designated EV spots must be plugged in at all times - those that are not may be ticketed. Please move your vehicle promptly after charging is complete to avoid additional fees. 

  • Chestnut Street Garage - 14 E. Chestnut St.
    • 1 port - Users must pay standard garage parking fee
  • Borough Hall - 401 E. Gay St.
    • 2 ports - Reserved for plug-in municipal fleet vehicles between 8am and 5pm, M-F
  • Bicentennial Garage - 20 S. High St. 
    • 2 ports - Users must pay standard garage parking fee 

West Chester Borough procures 100% wind energy through the purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs), and the Chestnut Street Garage is powered by on-site solar energy. Therefore, vehicles using West Chester's EV charging network are truly emissions-free! 

All stations are Chargepoint Level 2 @ 6.6 kW, and use a SAE J1772 plug. Click here to check real-time availability.

West Chester plans to expand publicly-accessible EV charging at its facilities, first at parking garages, then at surface lots and other community POIs (e.g. parks with offstreet parking). New chargers will utilize the newly-established NACS plug. 

For information on the other 77,000+ public charging stations across the United States, or to help with trip planning, visit www.driveelectric.gov/stations.


EV Charging Requirements for New Construction

Pursuant to the Borough's "Ready for 100" clean energy goals adopted by Borough Council in 2017, an ordinance was adopted in 2024 requiring EV charging and "EV-ready" requirements in newly built homes, apartment buildings, and other commercial properties. The intent is to support the adoption of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, by ensuring a small percentage of parking spaces at new multifamily and commercial development projects have EV charging installed, that additional spaces at new multifamily and commercial development projects are "EV-ready" (allowing for quick, inexpensive installation of EV charging in the future, and that at least one off-street parking space in a new home or garage is EV-ready. 

The ordinance also establishes minimum standards to ensure the EV charging equipment at multifamily and commercial properties is operational, accessible, and safe. 


Federal, State, and Utility Incentives for EVs and EV Charging: 

North Carolina State University maintains an up-to-date catalogue of incentives for EVs, Plug-in Hybrids, and EV Charging, as well as incentives for energy conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy projects. To see incentives related to EV's click "apply filter" then click "technology" and select "Electric Vehicles".