Woodstock, courthouse gain electric vehicle charging stations

Electric vehicle owners now have three public spots in Woodstock to charge up their cars for free.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County received a $5,000 grant from the Full Circle Foundation to help purchase two of the charging stations at a discounted price, said Cynthia Kanner, the environmental nonprofit’s executive director.

Environmental Defenders gave one to the city of Woodstock and the second to the county courthouse.

McHenry County decided to buy a second charging station on its own to place at the courthouse, Kanner said. The city installed its station in the southeast corner of the Metra parking lot at 239 N. Throop St.

Gas vehicles cannot park in the dedicated electric car charging spots and only electric vehicles being charged are permitted to park there for a maximum of four hours per vehicle, according to a news release.

Each station can charge two vehicles simultaneously.

“Woodstock is grateful for the generous contribution of the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, making the installation of an electrical vehicle charging station possible,” Mayor Brian Sager said in the release. “Residents, businesses and visitors will certainly benefit from the convenient access and it is hoped the presence of a station will encourage others to consider the use of electrical vehicles to the benefit of our environment.”