Empire District unveils Ozark vehicle charging station

Electric car drivers in Ozark soon will be able to fuel up just a few blocks from downtown after Empire District Electric Co. (NYSE: EDE) tomorrow unveils a charging station in front of the company’s telecommunications and call center at 201 W. Brick St.

Following another charger unveiled Sept. 6 at 215 W. Main St. in Branson, the free-to-use station is the second installed as part of a new Empire initiative, dubbed Evolve, to encourage broader adoption of electric vehicles. The company also operates a station in Joplin.

“It’s about an evolution process,” Empire District spokeswoman Julie Maus said. “We’re hearing major auto manufacturers talking about significant portions of vehicles being produced as electric just a few years down the road, so they are obviously looking this direction as well.”

Maus said the company produced a social media campaign and road trip and comparison guides as part of the initiative, and members of Empire District’s electric vehicle division will be on hand at the event, scheduled for 1 p.m., to answer questions and provide information

The Joplin-based utility provider seeks to partner with commercial customers interested in installing charging stations for employees or customers. The company also offers a $1,000 rebate to customers who purchase a hybrid electric vehicle and $2,000 to those purchasing fully electric cars.

“They might not be the best choice for every person, but if you’re already interested in an electric vehicle or are looking at a vehicle purchase, maybe it makes sense to consider an electric vehicle,” Maus said.

The Ozark station unveiling comes less than two weeks after the Missouri Public Service Commission approved Oakville, Ontario-based Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.’s (TSX: AQN) purchase of Empire. The $2.4 billion buyout is expected to close in first-quarter 2017. The deal still requires approval from the Arkansas and Kansas public service commissions.

The Missouri PSC’s decision came after Empire District reached a settlement with the state Division of Energy and advocacy group Renew Missouri, under which the company will create an energy-efficiency portfolio and a community solar program, according to a news release from Renew Missouri.

EDE shares were trading at $34.05 as of 11:42 a.m., near a 52-week high of $34.14. Its 52-week low is $21.40.