EV Charging Stations at NH Ski Areas
A trip to your favorite ski paradise isn't complete without, you guessed it, your noble steed to get you there. For most, that means your trusty car, SUV, or pick-up. It holds your stash of boots, mittens, and hat, and dutifully carries your skis or snowboard to the base of what will be home to hours of fun. But what if you're a part of the growing number of electric vehicle (EV) adopters but still want to have the same access to your favorite mountain escape?
Incredibly fast, fun, and technologically advanced, most EVs now provide enough range for your typical weekly commutes and longer-distance adventures, including your weekend jaunts to one of New Hampshire's fifty-plus ski areas. Many now offer convenient on-site or nearby charging stations to accommodate skiers with electric vehicles.
Charging stations come in three varieties. Level 1 charging is usually reserved for your home or garage and features a low, steady charge. Plugging into a Level 1 charging station will usually require 8-10 hours for a full charge. Level 2 charging, typically available at restaurants and hotels but also available to install at a residence, provide a higher voltage for a slightly faster charge; depending on the exact voltage and your electric range, Level 2 stations can provide a full charge in approximately 5-6 hours. Level 3, also known as "DC Fast-Chargers," provide the fastest charge - you can expect a full or near-to full charge in around 30 minutes or less. As technology advances, charging speed is only getting faster and faster, with some charging companies announcing charging stations in the works that can boost to a full range in 5 minutes.
So where are New Hampshire's electric vehicle charging stations, and which ones are the most convenient for you? For those looking for a DC Fast Charging station to top-off or fuel-up to a full range, consider the Tesla fast-chargers in Seabrook and Hooksett, featuring a high quantity of plugs and nearby amenities including popular restaurants and shopping destinations. Whole Foods in Bedford is home to universal fast-charging stations and who doesn't love a quick jaunt inside the acclaimed grocery store? If you're searching for a mountain or resort to charge while you sleep or ski, consider Cranmore Mt. Resort in Conway featuring Tesla Destination charging, Common Man Inn & Spa in Plymouth with universal Level 2 charging, Loon Mountain Resort for Tesla Destination charging (as well as Riverwalk, located near Loon), Glen House hotel at the base of prestigious Mt. Washington featuring Level 2 stations, or Eagle Mountain House in Jackson near Black Mountain, among many others. For a full map of charging stations, visit the Charging Map.
In the not-too-distant future, New Hampshire will feature even more opportunities to charge along your way. A proposal to build out a new network of DC fast-charging stations is pending. This would utilize funding from the state's Volkswagen Settlement Fund and local utilities and would spur the construction of new stations along key travel corridors such as I-93 and I-89. Remaining VW Settlement funding could also be used for programs to fund Level 2 charging stations in communities, boosting available charging for those spending time downtown or at their favorite restaurant.
To demonstrate the accessibility of EV charging stations across New Hampshire, the state recently hosted the world's first-of-its-kind "Charge Forward Electric Vehicle Relay." This event took place over the course of one day and featured a north-south relay across the Granite State, beginning in Colebrook and ending on the Seacoast in downtown Portsmouth. Stops included Cranmore in North Conway, Common Man in Plymouth, NH Motor Speedway in Loudon, the State House in Concord, and Energy Park in Manchester. Each leg of the relay highlighted a different EV model as the car leading the caravan, driven by an NH-celebrity. Over ten all-electric or plug-in hybrid models participated, including the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt and BOLT, Tesla Model X and Model 3, Toyota Prius Prime, BMW i3, Audi e-tron, Volvo XC60, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Kona. Check out some photos of the event below and see how much New Hampshire loves electric cars!
For more information on electric vehicles, visit www.driveelectricnh.org.
