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20 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | NOVEMBER 27, 2023 FOCUS: Clean Energy Daniel Shanahan is the eastern regional sales director of Enfield-based electric vehicle charger manufacturer EVSE. HBJ PHOTO | STEVE LASCHEVER Costly Transition As investment in EV charging infrastructure ramps up, electric grid may need more than $1B upgrade By Andrew Larson alarson@hartfordbusiness.com A s Republicans cast doubt on the state's 2035 electric vehicle mandate, Gov. Ned Lamont's administration says it's confident there will be enough charging stations to meet demand when the requirement for all new car sales to be electric takes effect. Automakers are preparing for the switch, rolling out electric versions of models ranging from SUVs to pick-up trucks, and electric utilities are working to develop the distribu- tion framework needed to supply nearly twice as much electricity by 2050. "If the infrastructure is not built, I think that could become a serious impediment to customer adoption (of EVs)," said Digaunto Chatterjee, vice president of system planning at regional utility giant Eversource. Eversource needs to build 14 new substations — at a cost of $100 million to $150 million each — to reliably serve the additional 4 GW of electricity needed to power EVs by 2040, Chatterjee said. Eight existing substations need to be upgraded, at a cost of $10 million to $25 million each, he added. That's an overall estimated invest- ment of up to $2.3 billion to prepare for larger-scale EV adoption — costs likely to be borne, wholly or partially, by ratepayers. Electric vehicle charging demand within the territory of United Illu- minating, the state's other electric utility, would further drive up the total statewide electricity demand — and require UI to upgrade its infrastructure as well, according to Eversource. Chatterjee said he believes new substations and other upgrades can happen if policymakers work together, the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority provides a cost-recovery mechanism to utilities and third-party vendors collaborate to build charging stations. "I think it can be done," said Chat- terjee, who currently drives an elec- tric vehicle. "I'm positive, because of, frankly, my selfish interest. If we don't get this done, I'm gonna have to trade my car off because it's going to be really, really painful to drive my electric vehicle." Meanwhile, the state is incentiv- izing private investment in charging stations, providing millions of dollars BY THE NUMBERS EV charging plugs in CT 1,704 The number of Level 2 electric vehicle charging plugs in CT as of September. Level 2 plugs typically take several hours to charge a car battery. 402 The number of Level 3, or DCFC, electric vehicle charging plugs in CT as of September. DCFC plugs can charge an EV in as little as 15 to 20 minutes. Source: NESCAUM Digaunto Chatterjee As electric vehicle adoption increases, Enfield's EVSE sees higher demand for EV charging technology By Andrew Larson alarson@hartfordbusiness.com A s technology improves, electric vehicle charging is becoming more efficient. Enfield-based company EVSE, which manufactures chargers, has developed a product that attaches to utility poles and streetlights, and draws energy from them. Daniel Shanahan, EVSE's eastern regional sales director, said it's a cost-efficient, convenient solution. "You're taking advantage of the power that's already there," Shanahan said. "And it elimi- nates literally up to 70% to 80% of the cost of installation. So, it's really an EV-charging station infrastructure accelerator." The company has been selling its utility pole and streetlight chargers in California for four years, and plans to deploy them in Connecticut soon. The devices cost about $5,000. EVSE also makes chargers with retractable cables, a feature that protects them from damage and theft, such as copper-stripping. EVSE — a subsidiary of Enfield appliance, electrical and elec- tronics manufacturer Control Module Inc. — has been making chargers at its 55,000-square-foot Enfield facility since 2010, and has installed chargers at venues including MGM Casino in Springfield, Massachusetts, and Asnuntuck Community College. Shanahan, who declined to disclose sales numbers, said EVSE has seen increased demand, especially at new construction sites, commercial buildings and parking lots. "There are more and more and more of these projects coming across our desk," he said. "And obviously we're bidding on them, oftentimes we are specified because we've been out there for a long time." EVSE Eastern Regional Sales Director Daniel Shanahan showcases the company's electric vehicle charger technology. HBJ PHOTO | STEVE LASCHEVER