DERIDDER, La. (KPLC) – With electric cars becoming more common, DeRidder is ensuring drivers have a place to power up.
Today, the mayor of DeRidder and representatives from CLECO unveiled new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in downtown DeRidder.
Mayor Michael Harris explains how these charging ports benefit the city.
“Having this charging port here allows people who have probably never been to DeRidder before to actually see this site on their app, stop by, charge their vehicle, go and visit our local shops, spend time and money here to help our economy,” Harris said.
DeRidder officials say this small investment is free and will make a big difference to the community.
Charging an EV vehicle at home costs around 10 to 15 cents per kilowatt-hour, roughly one-third the pump filling cost.
Richard Biedenharn, Electric Vehicle Program Manager at CLECO, explained why they chose to place these new charging stations in downtown DeRidder.
“EV chargers bring commerce to towns. They boost business in the cities they’re in, especially chargers like these, which are called destination chargers. We put them in places we want people to visit,” Biedenharn said.
CLECO representatives say they are seeing an increase each quarter with Louisiana drivers choosing to purchase electric vehicles.
After seeing the new data, Biedenharn says the importance of adding these charging stations.
“CLECO’s customer count in EVs grew by 34% last year, so we’re seeing CLECO customers, the citizens of DeRidder, and others are purchasing EVs. We must use the utility to support that, make that a more easier, seamless process,” Biedenharn said.
Sabrina Salling, Governmental Service Representative of CLECO, shared her experience of having an electric vehicle.
“Talk about fun to drive, you didn’t say that, they are fun to drive,” Salling said.
If you want to see or use the charging station, they are located between DeRidder’s City Hall and the Beareguard Public Library on South Washington Street.
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