To the editor:
We live off-grid in Jaffrey. We make our electricity from the sun. We own two EVs. Due to the fluctuation of sunlight, and our need to re-charge the cars, we sometimes have to calculate our errand trips around EV charge stations.
We sure wish we could find a charging station in Peterborough, or Jaffrey. We would much rather keep our shopping local. We usually end up choosing Keene due to the central location of the charger in the municipal parking lot. The electricity is free although the parking fee is $1.49/hour. It is a 20-mile drive from our home each way as opposed to the seven miles to downtown Peterborough or 4 miles to downtown Jaffrey.
While we’re there we often finish our errands and browse around town to look for interesting shops or grab a bite to eat or a coffee while the car charges. We have met many other EV drivers as we charge cars and, along with the shared love of EVs, they all talk about the exploring and shopping they do while charging. It is new technology and currently there is limited infrastructure. Towns that start attracting these “shoppers” now will have a jump on those unwilling to move into the future.
Carl Querfurth and Tory McCagg
Jaffrey