By Carleigh Kenny
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Through a public-private partnership, Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. is teaming up with the County Government to install 28 electric vehicle charging stations at public locations across the county, County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced Monday.
Olszewski and Rodney Oddoye, BGE senior vice president of Governmental and External Affairs, appeared together in the livestream event at the Randallstown Community Center to explain details of the project called EVsmart Program Public Charging Network.
By having more EV chargers, Olszewski said the number of electric vehicles on the roads should increase so that the county can reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. The project will help “continue to combat climate change in our communities,” the county executive said.
“This project is a great example of a public-private partnership that will support sustainable solutions and enhance our future-focused infrastructure,” said the masked Olszewski while standing proudly in front of the green car chargers.
BGE launched the program in the fall of 2019, creating partnerships with state and local governments to expand access to EV charging stations throughout central Maryland. Currently, 113 chargers have been installed across central Maryland, including 17 in Baltimore County.
By April, officials said the 28 chargers announced on Monday should be completely installed. And by the end of 2023, all 500 chargers planned for the program should be installed.
Oddoye said that BGE’s EVsmart program “has created one of the fastest electric charging networks in Maryland.” The goal is to help “Maryland meet its clean air and healthy Chesapeake Bay commitments,” he added.
Through this program, the officials said EV charging stations are currently being installed at the Randallstown Community Center, Meadowood Regional Park, Arbutus Library and Senior Center, Sollers Multi-Purpose Center, Carney Park & Ride, Cockeysville Library, Honeygo Regional Park and the Drumcastle Government Center.
Oddoye said the stations give drivers the option to charge vehicles at BGE-owned Level 2 smart chargers or DC fast chargers. BGE’s charging rates are comparable to other public charging options and provide drivers with increased flexibility in using their vehicles away from home, he said, adding that these charging stations are being installed at no cost to the Baltimore County government.