EV Charging Station at Belleville Public Library Downtown

Belleville Public Library Affordable Mobility Platform (AMP) Partnership

The installation of EV charging stations at public libraries is not a new concept. Libraries across the country have been installing charging stations for several years. According to the Illinois Secretary of State's Office, as of June of 2024 there are over 105,000 Electric Vehicles in the State of Illinois, 1,331 in St. Clair County and 492 in the city of Belleville. In late June of 2024, the first publicly accessible EV Charging station within Belleville city limits went live at the downtown location of the Belleville Public Library. This is the first phase of a two-part initiative to increase access to EV charging in the area and to expose members of the community to electric vehicles who might otherwise not have the opportunity to test drive an EV. Funding for this project was made possible by the Federal Infrastructure Bill passed by congress. The library partnered with Forth Mobility, a company headquartered in Oregon that has been partnering with local community organizations and municipalities across the country to introduce Electric vehicles and Electric Vehicle charging stations to disadvantaged and marginalized communities. Once an organization is identified, Forth Mobility enters a partnership agreement with them to help expand access to and information about electric vehicles and EV charging.

The library identified two parking spaces that would be suitable for use as EV charging stations. Forth Mobility provided one dual port level 2 charging station and in August, the library will take delivery of an Electric Vehicle. The library provided 2 parking spaces and connection to power. Once this program is fully implemented, one charging port will be dedicated to a branded electric vehicle that will be available for the public to reserve and drive via an app-based reservation system. The purpose of this rideshare vehicle is to both give those curious about electric vehicles the opportunity to drive one at minimal cost as well as to provide an alternative means of limited short-term transportation to those that might not otherwise have access to a vehicle.

The second charging port will be available for the public to use for charging their personal electric vehicles. The library has set a fee of $.15 per kilowatt hour for public charging. The revenue generated is intended to offset increased electricity usage by the library that the charging station may cause.

It is the mission of the Belleville Public Library to unite our community through the attainment of knowledge, the expression of creativity, and access to technology. Libraries have always been early adopters of new and emerging technologies. Internet accessible computers, WiFi, 3D printers, public copy machines, DVD's, Blu-ray disc's, hotspots, streaming entertainment, I can go on and on. There is a significant portion of the community for which the public library for many people, the public library was there first exposure to this technology and many more for which the library is to this day, many individuals only access to the internet or digital media. While there are dozens of public libraries in Illinois and hundreds nationwide that have installed EV charging stations for the public, Belleville Public Library will be the first public library in the country to the best of my knowledge to also make an Electric Vehicle available for public use.