Friday | October 21, 2022
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The Maria Stein community is getting a boost of power on the road - that is, those with electric vehicles! On September 1, 2022, Midwest Electric installed a Level 2 electric vehicle charging station at Moeller Brew Barn, a member artisan restaurant and craft brewery located in Maria Stein. This is the co-op's second electric vehicle (EV) charging station available to the public.

Midwest Electric staff with Nick Moeller of Moeller Brew Barn during the opening of the co-op's second electric vehicle charging station
(Pictured L-R:) Ohio's Electric Cooperatives Marketing Director Tim Street, Midwest Electric Business Development Coordinator Joel Johns, Midwest Electric CEO Matt Berry, Moeller Brew Barn owner Nick Moeller, and OEC Economic Development Director Dennis Mingyar celebrate the opening of Midwest Electric's second electric vehicle charging station installed at Moeller Brew Barn in Maria Stein. 

The first ChargePoint charging station was installed at Niekamp Farm Market in February 2022. (Read more about it here.)

The number of EVs on the road continues to rise, and Midwest Electric wants to stay on the forefront of emerging technology to meet members’ needs, improve green technology, and showcase their 7 Cooperative Principles, one of which is “Concern for Community.”

“Electric vehicles have a very low market share today, but we want to be innovative and on the front end of providing this service to our members and to the community,” said CEO Matt Berry. “These services will not always be free, but for now, it helps provide us with data on electric vehicle charging that will be helpful as we expand our EV programs. We are happy to help drive traffic to one of our members.”

The Level 2 charging station is part of a global partnership with U.S.-based company ChargePoint, who boasts the world’s largest EV charging network. Those wishing to charge their vehicle will need to download the free ChargePoint app, where they can receive 24/7 driving support and find a list of other charging stations around the country.  The Maria Stein station will allow two vehicles to charge simultaneously.

REBATE AVAILABLE:

The co-op also provides a $200 electric vehicle level 2 charger rebate to members and member businesses to encourage charging during overnight hours, when overall electricity demand is low. More information on rebates is available online at www.midwestrec.com/rebates.

BACKGROUND ABOUT MOELLER BREW BARN: The Maria Stein location was their first, which opened in 2015; since then, Moeller Brew Barn has expanded to 5 locations throughout Ohio, with their wide craft beer selection sold throughout the state.