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Nick recommends four fast chargers to meet Wakefield stretch code, citing about $100,000 savings
Summary
Presenter Nick told the committee that installing four level‑3 fast chargers would satisfy the town's stretch‑energy requirement and could save roughly $100,000 compared with installing EV‑ready receptacles for 40 parking spaces; members raised questions about compatibility, costs and who would operate the point‑of‑sale system.
Nick, the project presenter, told the committee that the stretch‑energy code requires EV‑ready receptacles in 10% of parking — about 40 spots for this project — but an exception allows four fast chargers to meet the requirement. "An e v ready spot is essentially a receptacle...it does not include a charger," Nick said, explaining the difference between receptacles and fast (level‑3) chargers.
Nick said Bond’s analysis found putting four level‑3 chargers in the design would save about $100,000 compared with installing all 40 receptacles. He described two vendor options reviewed by the town’s service provider: an ABB model (updated quotes were higher) and an Autel option that the presenter said "saves over a $100,000 from the original budgeted amount" and meets the stretch‑code requirement.
Committee members asked technical and operational questions. A member asked whether the recommended chargers are NACS‑compliant; Nick replied they are and said the cut sheet lists compliance. Concerns were raised about parking impacts if many level‑2 receptacles were installed (one member said the campus would effectively lose parking if stalls were reserved or used for charging). Members also pressed who would operate and receive proceeds from a point‑of‑sale (POS) system. Nick said the current design assumes the project will purchase and own the fast chargers and that Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light would manage the service and POS arrangements under an MOU for the level‑2 chargers already committed to the project.
The committee did not take a vote but agreed to follow up with Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light and to double‑check the Autel unit’s NACS compatibility and the subscription/service terms. "I will double check that too," Nick said.
Next steps: staff will meet with the municipal gas and light representatives to clarify who furnishes the chargers, who owns ongoing POS revenue rights, and the long‑term subscription costs before the next meeting.
