Despite Rust, Charging Stations at Ponquogue Beach Are Still Operable and Being Used

Ponquogue Beach on Dune Road in Hampton Bays has gotten a real glow up in recent years, with a full-scale renovation of the pavilion in 2019 making it feel like new, and making it one of the most popular destinations in the area for Southampton Town residents in the summer months.

As part of that renovation, Southampton Town installed two electric vehicle chargers on the west side of the parking lot. But they are already showing signs of wear and tear, taking a beating primarily from Mother Nature, with the salty air leading to the buildup of rust, and large weeds taking hold in a crack in the pavement by the stations.

But, according to Southampton Town Parks and Recreation Director Kristen Doulos, the chargers are still functioning and being put to good use, primarily in the summer months.

“They are operable, although one of them is showing an ‘offline’ error message at the moment, but the other unit is available,” she said. “There are two ports on each unit. Unfortunately, the salt air has rusted the units quickly. But, while it may not look nice, it shouldn’t be affecting their functionality.”

The charging stations were installed in May 2019 and accommodate most electric vehicles. Each station has an 18-foot cord, and a total of four vehicles can be charged at once. There is a fee for charging, and a Southampton Town beach sticker is required to park in the lot. An app must be downloaded in order to use the chargers and pay for the charging sessions.

Doulous said that there have been 140 sessions of usage since January 1, with the majority of them taking place in July and August. It cost the town $24,000, including the equipment, installation and four-year software subscription. The town received a rebate of $16,000 back through the Charge Ready NY program after installing the stations.