Sioux Center is home to N’West Iowa’s first electric vehicle, or EV, charging station.
A three-way partnership between the Holiday Inn Express, Russell’s Electric and North West REC made the two-port EV charging station possible.
“In the search for alternative fuel for vehicles, electric vehicles are leading the pack, and all electric vehicles are going to keep growing in popularity as battery technology continues to improve and provide longer range,” said Randy Vande Vegte of Sioux Center, owner of Russell’s Electric. “Infrastructure needs to be the first thing in place, and this is the first public EV charger in the area.”
Vande Vegte’s passion for alternative fuels shines through his company’s projects that include wind and solar as well as doing the electrical work for northwest Iowa’s only compressed natural gas station at Shell Sioux-Per Center in Sioux Center.
“Just like drivers of compressed natural gas vehicles plan their route to include a stop in Sioux Center to refuel, drivers of electric vehicles can plan their route to include a stay at the Holiday Inn to recharge,” he said. “This is another example of the forward thinking of the people and business owners in our area and we are proud to be apart of it.”
Holiday Inn owner Henry Byl looked into adding such a station to his hotel before this venture.
“We’ve had a few guests who have asked about it have encouraged that be something we consider doing,” Byl said. “We thought it would be a nice benefit for any guests that would come to the hotel.”
North West REC, based in Orange City, is a consumer-owned electric distribution cooperative that provides electric service farm, residential, commercial and industrial customers. Being a partner on the project fit with the company’s strategic planning.
“North West REC is always looking long term at where the electric industry is going,” said Lyle Korver, North West REC general manager. “There’s a lot of talk about electric vehicles. Automakers are announcing new models coming out in the next three to five years. We wanted to learn more about it and be able to share that with our members and legislators who might have questions and preparing for the future for us.”
The company began searching for where it could place an EV charging station last spring.
“As we looked at the type of business where it would make sense, a hotel was the first thing that came to mind,” Korver said. “People are parked here for a number of hours.”
North West REC serves three hotels, one of which is the Holiday Inn who’s charging station went online mid-February. The business is also partnering with Boulders Inn & Suites in Holstein to open a second EV charging station this spring.
Boulders, like the Holiday Inn, will have a Level 2 charging station.
“There are three types of EV charging stations,” Korver said. “Level 1 offers about 120 volts and is often for at-home charging. It can take up to 18 hours for a full charge. Level 2 is 240 volts, which can take six to eight hours for a full charge. The third is rapid charge, which is an up and coming idea to have along interstates that could provide a charge in one to two hours.”
North West REC owns an all-electric 2019 Chevy Bolt, which it powered up Friday during a visit to the new EV charging station at the Holiday Inn Express in Sioux Center.
Once wrapped with the company logo, North West REC hopes to bring the vehicle to area schools and ride it in parades to spread the message about electric powered cars.
The vehicle has a 180 mile range on one charge.
“In the search for alternative fuels, electric is leading the pack with vehicles and I think all-electric vehicles will be leading the pack some day,” Vande Vegte said. “It’s been good to be part of these alternative fuel projects. It’s something that’s coming and it’s exciting to be a part of.”
The Holiday Inn’s EV charging station, or “Express 1” is tied in with ChargePoint Network, a global electric vehicle charging network, which lists three EV charging stations in Sioux City; two in Sioux Falls, SD; one in Hills, MN; and one Worthington, MN.
Open 24/7 to the public, there’s a $2 charge for every two hours of charging. EV owners can access the station using the ChargePoint smartphone app.
