DC Station to Hold Grand Opening Celebration on Dec. 6

NORTHAMPTON — DC Station will host a grand opening celebration on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 2 to 5 p.m. at 5 Fulton Ave. so area residents can tour the new EV-centric facility, learn about its fast, level-3 charging ports, and meet the manager of the station’s learning and resource center, EV Base Camp.

“This event is our way of celebrating the launch and saying ‘thank you’ to everyone who’s helped bring DC Station to life,” developer Bruce Volz said. “We’re going to build some excitement and buzz about electric vehicles and the resources we have to offer here for drivers — and those who think they might like to be EV drivers.”

Local officials will be on hand at the free event as Volz thanks his construction team from Keiter and the building’s architects from Kuhn Riddle. Volz, an eco-friendly EV driver, will also share his vision for DC Station.

Unveiled in October, DC Station — named DC for direct current — offers a place for EV drivers to get a fast charge at one of 10 ports, available 24 hours a day. Drivers will also be able to grab a bite to eat and learn about the latest EV technology and vehicles. The station is located on the southern end of Northampton, a quarter-mile from Interstate I-91. Overflow parking for the grand opening will be available at Spare Time Bowling Alley.

At the event, visitors can have a bite to eat and hear from representatives of Lynkwell, which installed the charging ports, about the difference between level-2 and level-3 chargers. Participants will also learn how to use the level-3 chargers, including payment options.

Greg Goff, manager of EV Base Camp, will be on hand to answer questions and talk about the center’s varied EV resources. “One thing is missing in the EV industry, and that is proper education,” he said. “There is also a bias on how electric cars work. We want to get accurate information out to the public.”

At the grand opening, Goff will answer questions and talk with people interested in purchasing an EV who have concerns about where they might charge their vehicles. “I’ll also demystify EVs and make concepts understandable, such as the difference between fast and slow chargers,” he said. “I can also explain other terminology.”

EV Base Camp will offer a central place in the region for resources and information on EVs, including information on new models and used vehicles, the ins and outs of charging, financing and rebate options, maintenance questions, and information on planning a trip to reduce ‘range anxiety.’

Base Camp also plans to add an EV of the Week component in which interested parties can schedule a test drive from the site in that week’s featured EV.

DC Station still seeks tenants to offer food service, such as a coffee house or café to serve customers from early morning to afternoon, and a casual restaurant, such as a pizza or taco house, that would be open until later in the evening.