Delaware to get more alternative fuel charging stations

A new network of electric quick-charge stations, with the power to boost fuel cells by 80 to 100 percent in 25 minutes, along with propane and natural gas fueling centers will be developed in Delaware over the next year thanks to $1 million in state grants.

The state program is part of a regional network that will eventually link similar alternative fueling options in Maryland and southeastern Pennsylvania, expand driving range for both individuals and commercial drivers and reduce anxiety that there won't be alternative fuel supplies along a route.

State environmental secretary David Small said the challenge has always been "a little bit of a chicken and egg" as to whether to build a fleet of alternative fuel vehicles first or the infrastructure to support it. Already, several thousand Delawareans have alternative fuel vehicles and several fleets have converted to alternative fuels, including many school buses.

Small said the state used proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to fund the grant program.

"The costs of fueling a fleet and the carbon footprint of traditional gas and diesel vehicles can be substantial," said Kathy Harris, the state's clean transportation policy analyst. "The transportation sector in Delaware accounts for about 34 percent of the state's greenhouse gas emissions. Cleaner alternative fuels enable fleet managers to improve environmental stewardship while offering more consistent and often lower fuel costs."

The grants were announced by Gov. Jack Markell at a Fueling the Future Conference in Dover on Tuesday and are part of the state's Clean Transportation Incentive Program.

Receiving grants are Chesapeake Utilities, $500,000, for a public CNG fast-fill refueling station at their new headquarters in Dover; State Parks & Recreation, $$55,962, to install two D.C. Fast Charging Stations at Blue Ball Barn in Wilmington and Indian River Marina; Royal Farms, $349,902, to install 10 D.C. Fast Charging Stations at five Delaware stores in Smyrna, Dover, Milford, Georgetown and Laurel; The University of Delaware, $8,846, to install three Level 3 Charging Stations on the University of Delaware Campus, including one public charging station; and Sharp Energy, $86,375, to install propane fueling stations at three Delaware school yards in Red Clay, Sutton Bus and School Mule.

Markell said that one goal of the program is to  “reduce our environmental footprint and combat climate change by promoting the use of alternative fuels and supporting alternative fuel infrastructure throughout the state.”

Royal Farms, for instance, will install quick charging devices for use by electric vehicles.

Tom Ruzin, the fuel and energy lead at Royal Farms, said the charging devices will allow motorists greater range and the ability to take a break from their drive while they recharge.

"They can grab a soda and get some fried chicken" in the 25 minutes it takes to get 80 to 100 percent of a full charge, he said. "We thought it was a good fit for us.

The convenience store-gas stations also offer prepared food and drinks and have seating areas.

The company will ultimately have 15 charging facilities at existing stations in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, extending the range of most electric vehicle users, he said.

Bob Zola, president of Sharp Energy, said his company will open their propane fueling facility in Georgetown during the first week in June. The target are medium and small propane-powered vehicles, he said. School buses in the state use propane as an alternative fuel.

At Chesapeake Utilities, the company is working on a new fueling center near Dover's Blue Hen Mall. The grant "will help cover the capital costs," said Dave Detrick, commercial and industrial account manager. It will be available to a full range of alternative-fuel vehicles, he said.

As part of the conference, hosted by the Delaware Clean Cities Initiative, a variety of alternative fuel vehicles were on display They ranged from school buses to a high-end BMW i3. Among the cars was an electric Mini Cooper that was designed and built as a precursor to development of the BMW electric fleet. There were buses, vans, shop trucks and Chevy and Ford alternative fuel vehicles on display.

Reach Molly Murray at (302) 463-3334 or mmurray@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @MollyMurraytnj.

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