Curtis Flemming, the first to use VIEO’s new EV charger at the Shan Market in Christiansted, shakes hands with VIEO Director Kyle Fleming to mark the milestone in transportation electrification. Photo Credit: VIEO
The V.I. Energy Office announced that it has completed the installation of eight Level II electric vehicle (EV) chargers at four locations on St. Croix as part of its Electric Vehicle Charger Pilot Project. These charging stations, now operational and free to use, marks a milestone in the territory’s journey toward transportation electrification.
The chargers, installed at the Christian “Shan” Hendricks Vegetable Market in Christiansted, VIEO’s Estate Carlton office, the Virgin Islands Economic Development Agency’s Office in the William D. Roebuck Industrial Park, and Ziggy’s Island Market, aim to make EVs a practical option for local residents and visitors. This project is part of a broader plan funded by a $1.1 million Energizing Insular Communities (EIC) grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
With 34 Level II Siemens VersiCharge EV chargers procured through the grant, VIEO plans to install additional chargers across St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John by the end of the third quarter of 2025. Lessons learned from this initial phase will streamline the process for future installations.
To encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, the VIEO is initially offering free charging at these stations. The chargers are equipped with software to monitor energy usage, which will inform the implementation of a future rate structure once the grant period concludes.
On December 10, two St. Croix residents made history as the first to use the new charging stations. Brian Boschen, senior chef at the Lighthouse Mission and an early EV adopter, became the first to charge his Nissan Leaf at Ziggy’s Island Market. Later, Curtis Flemming, owner of Flemming’s Tax and Bookkeeping Services, was the first to use the Shan Market charger, adapting it to fit his Tesla. Both users expressed excitement about the availability of public chargers, with Flemming noting the positive impact on the island.
This effort is part of VIEO’s mandate under legislative Act 7075 and the 2022 "USVI Transportation Electrification Roadmap," which outlines strategies for transitioning to a more sustainable transportation system.
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