Walnut Ridge charging into the future with EVS

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (KAIT) - While the town’s largest annual event looks to the past, the city of Walnut Ridge is charging into the future.

City officials announced Monday, Oct. 10, they have installed the town’s first-ever electric car charger on Abby Road.

According to a news release shared on social media, the Level 2 220-volt electric vehicle charging station (EVS) will deliver 7kWh and offers a 20-mile range per one-hour of charging. The EVS is free to use for all residents and visitors.

The project was made possible by a grant from Entergy and is expected to be operational by Sept. 17.

Entergy’s grant looked for cities with high traffic numbers.

Mayor Charles Snapp said when he heard about the grant, he knew Walnut Ridge would be a prime candidate.

“We had the opportunity. We knew it will be a growing thing in the future,” said Snapp. “Because of our location, based on future Interstate I-57, we did qualify for the grant.”

He stated the new charger would be targeted toward local people but also to bring in tourists who could not visit the area before.

“This particular charger is targeted toward locals but also bringing tourists into the center of town where they can enjoy the Beatles tribute, the guitar walk, the downtown area, maybe have a meal while their car is charging,” said Snapp.

The charger will not cost the city any money.

Lawrence County Public Library will provide the Wi-Fi for the charger, and a non-profit offered to pay for the charger’s electricity.

“The Non-Profit Downtown Walnut Ridge Inc., to help out the city, has agreed to pay the electric bill on the car charger, so people who charge their cars don’t even have to pay,” said Snapp.

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