The City of Marion’s first two public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are now online and available for use. One is located in the Marion Public Library parking lot and the other is located in the parking lot at the southwest corner of 8th Avenue and 12th Street. The charger equipment was provided through a partnership with Alliant Energy.

The commercial-grade BTC Power Level 2 charging stations feature two charging ports, allowing two vehicles to charge simultaneously. The stations are powered by the ChargeLab network and were initially proposed as part of the 2023 Uptown Parking Study.

"Bringing our first public EV chargers online is another step toward creating a welcoming community and serving the needs of residents and visitors," said Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly. "These chargers make it easier for electric vehicle drivers to charge their vehicle while enjoying our library and vibrant Uptown Marion district."

Drivers can begin a charging session in seconds by scanning the QR code located on the station with their smartphone or by using the free ChargeLab mobile app. Payment is accepted through Apple Pay, Google Pay or major credit cards.

To help ensure the charging stations remain available for everyone, the City asks drivers to observe a few simple guidelines:

• Charging spaces are reserved exclusively for electric vehicles that are actively plugged in and charging.
• Once charging is complete, drivers are encouraged to move their vehicles within 30 minutes to allow others to use the stations.

For technical support or payment assistance, users can contact ChargeLab's 24/7 customer support at 1-800-636-0986. To report physical damage to the equipment, contact the Public Works Department at 319-377-6367. To report parking violations, call the Marion Police Department's non-emergency line at 319-377-1511.