News Release

Thomas Edison National Historical Park Invites Public Input on Electric Vehicle Charging Rate (Update)

Public Comment Period Open from April 1, 2024, to May 1, 2024

Electric Charging Station

Thomas Edison NHP

News Release Date: March 28, 2024

Contact: Thomas E. Ross, Superintendent

West Orange, N.J. – Thomas Edison National Historical Park (NHP) is re-opening the public comment period on its proposal of a fee schedule for its electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. A typographical error in our notice to the public in late January reflected a proposed rate for EV charging of $.04 per kWh (kilowatt hour) instead of the actual proposed rate of $.40 per kWh. $.40 kWh is the average cost in our greater area. If approved, the proposal will add fees for public charging stations, which will generate revenue to pay for electricity and maintenance costs. Currently, Thomas Edison NHP has four charging stations available for use by visitors and the public.

The change would prioritize park visitors’ use of EV chargers and help ensure that the park can continue to provide this amenity in the future.

The proposed rate for EV charging is $0.40 per kWh (kilowatt hour) with an initial plug-in fee of $2.00. After the first 2 hours, a $2.00 surcharge will be added to encourage turn-over of charging station use. This rate is comparable to similar EV charging costs in the surrounding area. When approved, the fees would be implemented in the Spring of 2024.

Comments on the proposal will be accepted from April 1, 2024, to May 1, 2024. The park is utilizing the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website to share project information and request your comments. 

All comments must be submitted online through PEPC at: ParkPlanning - National Park Service Proposes Amenity Fee Increase for EV Chargers (nps.gov)

Please Note: The NPS is committed to encouraging public participation and providing opportunities for communication between the park and the affected community, interested stakeholders, and community residents during the process. Before including your address, telephone number, electronic mail address, or other personally identifiable information in your comments, you should be aware that your entire comment (including your personally identifiable information) may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us to withhold your personally identifiable information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. 

-NPS-

For more information about Thomas Edison NHP, please visit our website at www.nps.gov/edis.