Green Mountain Power & NRG, a Fortune 250 company, recently opened a new public electric vehicle charging station in Rutland to help electric vehicle owners save money and charge up more quickly.

The chargers are conveniently located downtown on Cottage Street and are the first “Freedom Stations” to be installed in Vermont in partnership with NRG EVgo, and represent the first comprehensive electric vehicle charging network in New England.

GMP and EVgo plan to install 12 Freedom Stations statewide this year, increasing Vermont’s energy independence and contributing to cleaner air and lower carbon emissions.   

Vermont is the first New England state to be added to NRG EVgo’s national public fast-charging network, and GMP is the first utility in the country to partner to expand the EVgo network. GMP and NRG are partnering to bring cutting-edge technology to Vermont to make Vermont a national leader in sustainable energy by creating a new energy model that allows customers to save money by using less energy.   

As Vermont’s energy company of the future, GMP is developing a plan to include electric vehicles as part of its first-in-the-nation home energy program. GMP’s eHome program helps families improve their homes with the latest in energy efficiency and clean energy technology like heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, solar, weatherization, smart plugs and phone apps to control and track usage in real time from anywhere.    

“The exciting energy transformation work in partnership with GMP is helping transform Rutland into the energy city of the future, while spurring economic growth and helping families reduce their costs,” said Rutland Mayor Chris Louras. “Transportation is a critical component of a thriving community. As more and more Vermonters and visitors move to electric vehicles, it’s vital that we have the infrastructure to support them.”    

The EVgo Freedom Station is capable of providing approximately 80% of a battery charge in 25 minutes when using the DC fast-charging option. The chargers also have level 2 capabilities that provide up to 24 miles of charge per hour.   

GMP and EVgo offer customers the option to pay as they go or sign up for various monthly charging subscriptions starting around $5.95 a month. GMP partnered with property owner Mark Foley, the president of MFK Properties, to install the charging stations. “This is a great way to help the environment and also to help attract people downtown to our great restaurants and shops,” said Mark Foley.    

In addition to the Rutland locations, GMP and EVgo plan to build out a comprehensive charging station network, including 12 Freedom Stations, across Vermont this year. Other locations include Quechee, White River Junction and Waterbury.    

GMP serves approximately 265,000 residential and business customers in Vermont.