BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV) – The Beaufort County Council voted to approve a resolution last week that allows free public access to a newly installed electric vehicle (EV) charging station.
The county posted on Facebook the announcement over the weekend, which led to a flood of 300+ comments from residents who voiced frustration over the decision. Many comments revolved around the unfairness of the free station with the current cost of fuel.
“Tell me where I can go get my county-supplied gasoline, please,” one comment read. Several other comments said the free charging station was paid for by taxpayers.
Hannah Nichols, the public information officer for Beaufort County, said the free charging isn’t costing local taxpayers anything.
“It’s not tied to the grid. There is no electric charge cost. It is a solar-powered charger that is free-standing. No construction cost. Completely portable,” she said.
The EV station was purchased for approximately $100,000 in 2023 through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Those were federal dollars given to counties specifically for the purpose of health initiatives, infrastructure initiatives and emergency response initiatives, according to the county.
One of the main reasons the charging station was purchased with federal funds was to facilitate the use of an emergency operation center, as well as for fueling electric vehicles in a fleet in an actual emergency, Nichols told WSAV. The sheriff’s office and the county both have electric vehicles for emergency response.
The portable station is wind resistant for up to 160 miles per hour winds and flood resistant up to nine and a half feet.
“If we ever have a hurricane that does shut down all of those gas stations, we still have some mobile vehicles that can charge through solar power,” said Nichols.
The county plans to use it for emergency purposes, but figured it could get more use outside of those efforts.
“There are two chargers on it, Nichols said. “It’s not going to be as quick as someone’s home charger, but it is a good amenity to have for our tourists, and anyone who comes to the courthouse and is stuck in for a long day.”
The county believes the station is a positive for electric vehicle owners. It is the first public electric charging station north of the Broad River, which Nichols said they’re proud of.
“We were actually using it in the parking lot as a test to see if additional infrastructure investments into electric vehicles are necessary moving forward,” she said.
The two-port charging station is located at 100 Ribaut Road in the Beaufort County Municipal Complex’s parking lot. It’s easily found by the large solar panel.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.